Hays County, TX – Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra issued a statement criticizing the absence of three county commissioners from a special Commissioners Court meeting, which he said left the court without a quorum and prevented action on a proposed healthcare ballot measure.
According to Becerra, organizers had gathered the required petition signatures and those signatures had been validated. He said the remaining step was for Commissioners Court to meet and allow Hays County voters to decide the issue in November.
Becerra identified Commissioners Michelle Gutierrez Cohen, Debbie Ingalsbe and Smith as the members who did not attend the special meeting. In his statement, Becerra strongly criticized their absence, characterizing it as a coordinated effort that prevented the court from performing its duty.
Those characterizations represent Becerra’s statements and are not independent findings by Texan Report.
Becerra emphasized that the meeting was not intended to establish a health district itself, but rather to determine whether the proposal would be placed before Hays County voters.
He also commended Commissioner Hammer for attending the meeting and thanked residents who participated in the petition effort.
Becerra said Hays County voters will not have an opportunity to vote on the measure this November, but said efforts related to affordable healthcare and the use of taxpayer dollars would continue.