Citing Bettencourt’s Over Politicization Of His Office, Houston Chronicle Endorses Trautman

Citing the fact that Harris County Tax Assessor/Collector Paul Bettencourt has over politicized his officer, the Houston Chronicle Sunday endorsed Democrat Diane Trautman for the post.

It is, perhaps, the most important endorsement the Chronicle will make this year.

Why? Because Harris County Tax Assessor/Collector Paul Bettencourt is perhaps the most partisan county elected official in Texas. What’s worse, he allows that partisan to infect his most important duty–voter registration–like a disease.

We’ll let the Chronicle tell the rest of the story:

From Texas’ earliest days, the state’s leaders were careful to keep politics far removed from the business of tax collection. The 1833 Texas Constitution contained language prohibiting tax collectors from holding political office until their tax collecting duties had been fully and finally discharged. That is as it should be.

In his 10 years as Harris County tax assessor/collector, Paul Bettencourt has performed the duties of his office credibly. But all too often the affable Bettencourt has danced near and, on occasion, across the line on politics. Bettencourt is a staunch partisan, and he makes no secret of it. That just won’t do for a Harris County tax assessor/collector in 2008.

The most obvious cause for concern over Bettencourt’s frequent forays into politicking is the untenable shadow they cast over his function as registrar of county voters. Local Democrats have groused about what they view as hassling of minority citizens seeking to register and/or vote. Even if these complaints are unfounded, Bettencourt does himself and the office no service with his vocal partisanship. Perceptions matter. With his frequent appearances on highly partisan radio talk shows and other activities, he is giving a harmful impression.

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