Once upon a time, the Harris County Commissioners Court meetings were pretty sedate affairs. But that changed this past January. Sessions that once lasted 30 minutes have turned into eight-hour marathons. Differences between court members once kept behind the scenes have flared into open, bitter arguments. Where consensus was common, there is now an endless series of partisan votes – where the Democratic majority invariably wins.
Harris County Commissioners Court: The Pros And Cons Of Total Transparency
Marathon, often-bitter court meetings have become the norm under County Judge Lina Hidalgo. Here’s why.

Andrew Schneider/Houston Public Media
Steve Radack and Jack Cagle, the two Republican members of the Harris County Commissioners Court, were absent from Tuesday’s meeting, blocking the approval of the proposed property tax rate increase.