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Two candidates are running for Harris County Treasurer in the Nov. 3 election, including Marc Cowart and incumbent Carla L. Wyatt.
Early voting begins Oct. 19 and runs through Oct. 30, according to the Texas Secretary of State's website. Election day is Nov. 3 and polls are open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Registered voters can cast their ballots at any polling location during early voting and on election day. Voters can visit www.harrisvotes.com for more information.
Why are you running for this position?
I am running to restore trust, accountability and transparency to the office. As chief custodian of Harris County's funds, the public must be able to trust the Treasurer. That trust has been broken and must be restored. With a budget of $3 billion, there is too much at stake.
What do you see as the biggest financial challenge facing Harris County, and how would you address it?
The biggest challenge facing Harris County is uncontrolled spending, which has resulted in a $3 billion budget, and tax rate increases that taxpayers cannot afford. The Treasurer does not make or cut spending. The Treasurer can educate the public about the problem, which I plan to do.
How would you make the Treasurer’s Office more transparent and accountable to taxpayers?
Orlando Sanchez won numerous transparency awards while serving as Treasurer. I plan to restore many of his policies that were dismantled after he left office, including implementing an online, searchable database of county expenditures.
What would you do to ensure Harris County’s investments are both financially responsible and beneficial to taxpayers?
The Harris County Treasurer does not currently manage the county’s investment portfolio; that duty rests with the County Investment Officer, who is appointed by Commissioners Court. However, as Treasurer, I would publicly speak out if any investment were deemed not beneficial to the taxpayers.
Harris County Treasurer
Why are you running for this position?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
What do you see as the biggest financial challenge facing Harris County, and how would you address it?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
How would you make the Treasurer’s Office more transparent and accountable to taxpayers?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
What would you do to ensure Harris County’s investments are both financially responsible and beneficial to taxpayers?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
