KTRK-13’s Deborah Wrigley reports on fireworks at the county government level:
Today was the public hearing on the county’s proposed tax rate which commissioners are leaning toward lowering by one cent. Instead it turned into a debate between the county judge and his announced opponent in next year’s primary. If today is any indication, it’s going to be a long fight. Candidate and former District Clerk Charles Bacarisse was the only person to sign up to discuss the county tax rate. Commissioners are considering cutting it by one cent. Bacarisse, as part of his campaign, is proposing a five cent reduction.
[snip]
What was debated this morning ranged from tax plans to a political mail out from the Bacarisse campaign that voters are now receiving.
“You made a statement here that I have never publicly called for property tax relief,” County Judge Ed Emmett said.
“That’s correct,” Bacarisse replied.
Emmett testified earlier this year before a state Senate Committee on property appraisal caps. He supported a limit on how much home values can be raised in a single year. Because of that, he demanded a retraction from Bacarisse. Bacarisse declined and now there’s talk of a lawsuit alleging defamation.
“Even candidates are not allowed to defame their opponent by stating something that’s blatantly false,” said Emmett.
Responding to the possibility of a lawsuit, candidate Bacarisse said, “That’s ridiculous, that’s just ridiculous. It’s politics, he knows better.”
Late today, Emmett said he is consulting with attorneys. As for the tax cut that being discussed, Harris County Tax Assessor Paul Bettencourt says he doesn’t support cutting the county’s share of the tax rate by more than three cents saying it could affect the debt service on county bonds. Commissioners will vote on setting the tax rate next week.
What a fine mess Robert Eckels left for Harris County (and the Harris County GOP) when he prematurely bailed on the term he had just been elected to serve.
BLOGVERSATION: Off the Kuff.
