In her Friday politics column, Kristen Mack reported on news that’s been circulating among Republicans for a few weeks now:
Former City Councilman and twice-defeated mayoral candidate Orlando Sanchez wants to wage a comeback — as Harris County treasurer.
If he goes through with it, he will have to take on incumbent Jack Cato in the Republican primary in March. Cato first was elected in 1998 after 25 years as a television reporter and four as a spokesman for the Houston Police Department.
The job is strictly administrative and carries no real power. The county treasurer is the chief custodian of county money and accounts for and disburses funds as directed by Commissioners Court.
Local lawmakers have tried to kill the position in the Legislature, following in the footsteps of other Texas counties and of the state itself. Texas abolished the state treasurer’s position by constitutional amendment in 1995 after voters elected a treasurer who campaigned to eliminate the job.
The low-profile county job wouldn’t exactly be a move up the political ladder for Sanchez. It’s not a steppingstone. But the pay isn’t bad at $96,000 a year.
A position that has no real authority, pays nearly $100k per year, and can serve as a springboard to “bigger and better” things?
That seems about Sanchez’s speed.
It would probably be much better for taxpayers if the position were abolished altogether, though.
