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Just in Time for the Rodeo, Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, Others to Cut Ribbon on Recently Completed Almeda Road Trail – a Shared Space for People Walking, Biking and Rolling

In this issue, you can read about County leadership's progress and vision in 2023, our commitment to safe and healthy communities, and the programs and services that our Community Centers have to offer.

Harris County Officials to Announce New Hospital-Based Program that Aims to Stop the Cycle of Violence

Commissioners Court will vote on a partnership between county and labor-managed apprenticeship programs that will train workers and create career pipelines that connect people to in-demand jobs that offer strong wages and benefits.

Partnership between county and labor-managed apprenticeship programs will train workers and create career pipelines that connect people to in-demand jobs that offer strong wages and benefits

Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis supports Harris County Public Library’s (HCPL’s) decision to permanently discontinue assessing late fees for customers who return items after the due date.

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Houston-area residents turned in 793 guns on Saturday at the third Gun Buyback event conducted by Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Sheriff Ed Gonzales and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner in their efforts to reduce violent crime and make Houston-area communities safer.

Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis issued the following comment regarding lawsuit against the Elections Administrator’s office related to the November 2022 elections: "This is part of a national right-wing effort to undermine our democracy. Know that Harris County will fight back to protect your hard-earned voting rights.”

To celebrate Black History Month, Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, state Rep. Senfronia Thompson, County Attorney Christian Menefee, University of Houston-Downtown President Loren Blanchard and art community leaders will unveil two murals in the downtown courthouse complex. The murals are inspired by Harris County’s planned Remembrance Park.

Texas leaders must recognize that the strength of our state and the engine of our economy is our diversity. Actions that close doors and seek to alienate Texans from the halls of government harm all of us.”

Harris County Commissioners Rodney Ellis and Adrian Garcia on Tuesday joined Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) Director Roberto Treviño in announcing the first-ever toll rate reduction that will save some customers money during this high inflation period.

January 23 is Maternal Health Awareness Day, a day in which Harris County Public Health (HCPH) highlights the urgent maternal and infant health crisis in the county and what Harris County is doing to combat that crisis.

Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis and Worthing Early College High School officials on Saturday, Jan. 21 will unveil the “Stop Gun Violence Mural” at the school in Sunnyside as a call to action to stop the violence.

Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, City of Houston officials, and the art community will unveil the United Nations first “Mankind Ecosystem Restoration Mural” to raise awareness and trigger action for environmental protection.

Led by Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, the city and county jointly reappointed Ric Campo to another term as chair of the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority. Here’s Commissioner Ellis’ statement on the reappointment:

Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, other county leaders and labor representatives on Monday, Jan. 9 will announce an expanded Worker Protections policy that Commissioners Court will vote on the following day.

Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Marie Arcos, Chief Government and Community Relations Officer at YMCA of Houston, and others will bring holiday cheer to some Third Ward residents preselected to receive free Chromebooks just in time for Christmas.

Today, the City of Houston, Harris County and The Texas Department of Transportation are announcing a resolution of disputes over the I-45 expansion project, including Harris County’s lawsuit and Mayor Turner’s objection to the project.

“Public art has the ability to inspire change,” Commissioner Ellis said. “Public art is an incredible medium for celebrating our diverse community and history. On Friday the 9th, we invite the public to see the newest addition to this walkable downtown art gallery.”

Commissioner Rodney Ellis issued the following statement in response to the release from custody of Brittney Griner today

Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis on Monday issued the following statement disagreeing with the Texas Attorney General’s Office decision to ask the state Supreme Court to prevent the county from counting votes cast between a court-ordered, one-hour extension on Election Day:

In response to Gov. Greg Abbott calling for a state investigation into allegations of improprieties in Harris County’s midterm elections, County Commissioner Rodney Ellis issued the following statement condemning the Governor’s decision:

Harris County Commissioners Rodney Ellis and Adrian Garcia have asked federal officials to monitor the County’s midterm elections because Texas leaders plan to send a “task force” to monitor polling places as well as other concerns of voter intimidation.

“The consequences of adopting the No New Revenue Rate are truly dire. It forces tens of millions in cuts to life-saving health care services; throws way $100 million for law enforcement; delays urgent flood control projects; denies investments to strengthen economic opportunity; and jeopardizes other vital services that families depend on to weather tough times and build a better life...

Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Qatar Harvey Fund (QHF) officials and health experts will provide updates on the multimillion renovation project at the historic Riverside General Hospital, which will house Harris Public Health and other vital health-related services.

Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis will join Sheldon community members in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 29 to celebrate completion of a $1.6 million, two-lane bridge that residents requested to improve mobility and safety.

Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis and advocates on Wednesday, Oct. 26 will announce a $4.7 million Domestic Violence Assistance Fund that will help reduce domestic violence incidents that sometimes result in homicides.

Harris County Commissioner Ellis, Harris Health System Officials will Discuss Detrimental Impacts of Adopting an Insufficient Budget Caused by Commissioners Cagle and Ramsey not Showing up for Work at Final Tax Rate Vote

Commissioners Tom Ramsey and Jack Cagle’s forced budget cuts will deny Harris County families urgently needed investments in health care, safety, flood resilience and more. They have betrayed the people we serve and put lives at risk.

Three months after Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis recommended Commissioners Court’s approval of a $7.7 million investment in a Maternal and Child Health Program, Harris County Public Health is hosting a summit that addresses health inequities and disparities among Black women.

On Tuesday, Oct. 18, the Harris County Elections Administrator’s office received a letter from the Texas Secretary of State regarding incomplete findings from an election probe that was announced in September 2021 hours after former President Donald Trump called for Texas election audit legislation.

Today, Commissioners Jack Cagle and Tom Ramsey once again refused to show up to work, despite a meeting being called on their terms to overcome the budget impasse:

Commissioner Ellis played a major part in the art walk’s conception when he happened upon a #ZeroHungerMurals by renowned artist Dragon76 on the backside of downtown’s Hampton Inn.

I commend Commissioner Adrian Garcia for putting forward a proposal that calls Commissioners Jack Cagle and Tom Ramsey to the table to negotiate in good faith so that we can all do the job we were elected to do, which is to serve the people of Harris County through the vital services and programs they need and deserve.

HART’s community responders are now handling nearly 20% of all 911 calls in their service area. This is the equivalent of 11 full-time deputies and 675 hours of officer time.

Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Congressman Al Green, Houston City Council Member Tiffany Thomas and others will host the second Gun Buyback event in a partnership between the City of Houston and Harris County on Saturday in Alief.

Event Held in Alief Co-sponsored by Commissioner Rodney Ellis and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner

Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Election Administrator Clifford Tatum Educate Eligible Voters on Minimizing Risk of Having Mail-in Ballots Rejected

Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis and Harris County Elections Administrator Clifford Tatum will encourage eligible residents to register to vote, and registered voters who are eligible to vote by mail to do so using guidance provided by the Elections Administration Office.

In this issue, you can learn more about voting and serving in elections, find an update on the Texas abortion ban and resources for reproductive care, and read about our work to serve Harris County residents.

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If you are a resident of unincorporated Harris County, drop-off your heavy trash the third Saturday of every month at Miller Road Service Center.

All of our residents deserve a safe, strong and resilient Harris County for themselves and their children, regardless of their wealth or their zip code. Mother nature does not discriminate — but unfortunately, our investments to strengthen and protect our county from flooding has.