The two Democratic commissioners, Dexter McCoy and Grady Prestige, again refused to attend the meeting in protest. They believe that Daniel Wong, who was appointed interim county judge, could no longer legally serve.
However, with the support of the two Republican county commissioners and several favorable court rulings, Wong has continued to hold the gavel in Fort Bend County. He and the two Republican commissioners present voted to eliminate associate judge positions and restructure the county attorney's office.
The Democrats have argued Wong lacks the legal authority to serve as county judge. Their absence left the remaining members to approve a reduction in associate judges from eight to five - a proposal Commissioner Andy Meyers attempted last year but withdrew after strong community pushback.
"We made the case last year. And we thought there was an understanding of how this could negatively impact, and absolutely harm, the community," District Judge Monica Rawlins said.
She warned that losing her associate judge would increase caseloads and extend wait times for families.
Attorney Rocky Pilgram said the cuts would be felt most acutely in family courts, where delays in protective orders and custody cases could have serious consequences.
"I think our families are absolutely being caught in the middle," Pilgram said. "Not only are they embroiled in their own emotional turmoil, in trying to figure out, and now we have this political mess."
In addition, Rawlins said she was not told that her budget would be cut until the agenda for this week's commissioners court meeting was posted.
"I have a budget. And the budget I was presented with includes the associate judge. I never received a revised budget," she said.
Pilgram said attorneys and judges believe they are being swept into a broader political fight between Republicans who support keeping Wong in place and Democrats who argue he cannot legally serve.
When asked why the proposal was added to the agenda, Wong responded, "We're going to talk about it."
He declined to answer further questions after the meeting.
After the vote, Commissioner Andy Meyers walked right past ABC13's cameras without commenting. In addition to cutting three associate judge positions, Wong and the commissioners voted to shift some staff from the office of elected County Attorney Bridgette Smith-Lawson. They voted to create a new legal office under commissioners' control.
"I object to any of this; I did not receive notice," County Attorney Smith-Lawson said.
Some of her current staff also spoke out, several wiping away tears. The entire commissioners court was packed with speakers, the vast majority of whom opposed the two proposals. Still, both items passed with little discussion. According to sources, judges affected by Thursday's actions plan to file suit.
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