Government
BY MELISSA ENAJE & AUBREY VOGEL
Harris County seeks 5 additional district courts from state Legislature
Harris County moved forward with a request to Texas lawmakers to create ve additional civil district courts by 2027 to address the county’s longstanding court case backlog. Commissioners voted 3-1 in favor of the resolution during a Feb. 27 Commissioners Court meeting. Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis dissented while Judge Lina Hidalgo abstained from the vote. State Rep. Mano DeAyala, R Houston, led House Bill 3600 on March 3, which would create three new judicial districts in Harris County on Oct. 1 and two additional judicial districts on Oct. 1, 2026. These courts would all focus on civil matters, according to the legislation. How it works Should the additional courts receive legislative approval, county o cials said they would plan to keep the courts located in the judi- cial complex in Downtown Houston. Additional courts are estimated
“We can’t continue to advertise that Harris County is an economic beacon without investing in a robust justice system where disputes are resolved timely and thoughtfully.” LAUREN REEDER, HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT COURT JUDGE, 234TH CIVIL COURT
4803 GARDEN CREST LANE | FULSHEAR, TX 77441 APRIL 26 • 11 am- 1 pm
to cost the county at least $2.5 million-$3.5 million for each court, Engineering Department Executive Director Milton Rah- man said. Looking back Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones said county o cials worked with state legislators in 2023 to secure six additional crim- inal district courts and a probate court to address the court backlog. While the 2025 motion called for nine additional courts, only ve were approved.
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Katy to launch police cadet program
"Being able to recruit an applicant before they apply to an academy gives us more people to look at for the job." BYRON WOYTEK, KATY POLICE CHIEF
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The city of Katy will implement new cadet recruiting techniques to help attract police o cers. The cadet program, approved at a March 24 City Council meeting, will cover a participant’s certi cation training at a police academy and o er a minimum salary of $43,000 annually,
Katy Police Chief Bryon Woytek said in an email. Cadets must complete at least two years of employment with the city after completing their certi cation, per agenda documents. Looking ahead The city has chosen two appli- cants to sponsor, he said.
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