Paul Bettencourt Plans to Resign December 6, 2008

As KPRC Local 2 reported on Friday night at ten, Harris County Tax Assessor Collector Paul Bettencourt intends to resign from office.

 

Bettencourt, who  was reelected in November, says he plans to step down before  Christmas.

 “Over the  Thanksgiving holiday  I have received an offer of a private business venture that I intend to pursue,” said Bettencourt in a statement released to the media by his political consultant Allen Blakemore.

Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and the commissioners court will name a replacement after Bettencourt officially  steps down.

Bettencourt was reelected this past November after defeating Democrat Diane Trautman.

Trautman has released a statement saying she would like to be considered as a candidate for appointment and criticizing the timing of Bettencourt’s decision:

“I’m not sure there is a precedent for this type of thing and I  find it highly unethical and deceptive to the good people of Harris County if Bettencourt knew about his “private sector position” before the election.  Once again, he has placed politics before service and the needs of the Harris County Citizens and voters,” Trautman said in her statement.

The Battle over Provisional Ballots November 12, 2008

Ballot Board

 The battle over provisional ballots could be resolved Thursday, meaning we should know if there is any change in the outcome of two Judicial Races.

The independent ballot board wrapped up the processing of the ballots late Wednesday night.

The board reviewed each one and decided which should be rejected or accepted and electronically counted.

The board did its work despite the legal drama that was playing out blocks away in Federal Court.

Democratic Judicial candidate Goodwille Pierre , along with the Democratic Party, filed a lawsuit against Harris County Tax Assessor Collector Paul Bettencourt.

Paul Bettencourt

Goodwille Pierre

 The suit alleged (along with other issues) that Bettencourt was not moving quickly enough to process provisional ballots that were cast in the November 4th election.

The request for a temporary restraining order  was tossed out after attorneys informed the judge Wednesday morning that Bettencourt’s office had finished processing about 7 thousand provisional ballots, and sent them to the independent ballot board for review.

The board decides which ones are valid based on Bettencourt certifying  the voter’s registration information.

Pierre lost to incumbent Republican Judge Tad Halbach by less than 600 votes.

Many believe that the provisional ballots likely benefit the democratic candidate,.

If that holds true Pierre believes he  has a good shot of being declared the winner.