Labor Stands with Lina.

The 92 unions of the Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO today reaffirmed their support for Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo.

We’re incredibly disappointed in the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board’s confused rationale supporting their decision to back an extremist candidate for Harris County Judge. Not only has Lina Hidalgo consistently invested in public safety — including a proposed 10% increase in next year’s budget — but Lina also recognizes that security and safety isn’t just about crime, it’s also about keeping families in their homes, helping them to keep the lights and heat on, and expanding opportunities for everyone, regardless of the zip code you live in.

Lina helped to keep 70,000 working families in their homes during the pandemic, expanded access to affordable childcare, worked to raise wages and improve safety standards on construction sites, and fought to keep us all safe during the pandemic. And she fought back when the state tried to prevent Harvey recovery dollars from going where they’re needed, forcing them to send $750 million back to Harris County earlier this year.

Unlike her opponent, who is funded by West Texas billionaires and county contractors, Lina has taken a stand to end the corrupt system that puts the interests of the rich and connected first and leaves the rest of us with failed drainage, pockmarked highways, and collapsing bridges. Lina has stood shoulder to shoulder with us in the fight for a fair shot for all Harris County workers. The working people of Harris County stand with Lina.

Throughout her tenure in office, Judge Hidalgo has worked closely with the labor movement to develop, pass, and implement policies to expand opportunity and keep working people safe, healthy, and in their homes. Among the accomplishment of Harris County Commissioner’s Court since Lina was sworn into office in 2019:

• Raised the County minimum wage to $15 an hour for employees and certain construction contract workers
• Implemented family-friendly workplace policies, including 12 weeks paid parental leave for both mothers and fathers and additional sick leave to care for ill children
• Stood up for common-sense public health measures to keep working families safe, despite efforts by Governor Abbott to block them
• Expanded access to the polls through innovative programs, such as drive through and 24 hour voting
• Established work safe guidelines for grocery and construction workers
• Implemented one of the most effective housing assistance programs in the country
• Invested in a complete census count to ensure working families in Harris County receive the assistance they need after state leaders failed to do so
• Created a fund to provide frontline workers with direct cash assistance
• Required those who do business with the County to support and protect workers when considering awards for construction contracts.
• Stood up against the Trump administration’s effort to instill fear in our immigrant communities. Judge Hidalgo has worked to fight against family separation policies, planned immigration raids in the County, and the inclusion of a citizenship question on the 2020 Census.
• Launched the $84 million Brighter Futures for Harris County Kids initiative to expand access to affordable childcare and youth healthcare

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The Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation (TGCALF), AFL-CIO unites the power of 92 unions across 13 counties to advocate for working families in the Texas Gulf Coast, including over 50,000 workers in Harris County. We mobilize our members and community partners to demand a fair shot at better lives for all working people — regardless of the color of our skin, which country we come from, or whom we love. Learn more: www.gcaflcio.org/