Harris County creates independent elections office despite bipartisan opposition
By Houston Chronicle | July 15, 2020
Bennett in a letter to court members said her office successfully was registering voters, and she expressed doubt an independent administrator would be an improvement. “Checks and balances will be lost with elections and voter registration managed by one office only,” Bennett wrote. “In counties with election administrators, the lack of accountability between voter registrars and election clerks has caused the type of problem that erodes public trust.”
Harris County extends deadline for delinquent property taxes because of coronavirus
By Houston Chronicle | March 30, 2020
The Harris County Tax-Assessor Collector’s office announced a three-month extension of all 12-month delinquent property tax payments as a result of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Harris County Tax Office grants delinquent property tax reprieve
By The Leader | March 30, 2020
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Harris County Tax Office is granting a three-month extension on all 12-month property tax payment plans.
Harris County Tax Office offers 3-month break in delinquent property tax payments
By KHOU 11 | March 30, 2020
“Due to our area’s current health crisis and resulting economic uncertainties, property owners who are currently on 12-month property tax payment plans will not have to make payments for three months,” Ann Harris Bennett, Harris County tax assessor-collector & voter registrar, said. “Unfortunately, state law mandates that the appropriate late fees must still be assessed. However, I hope this extension helps ease property owners’ burdens during this critical time.”
Harris County tax offices implementing modified services
By The Leader | 2020
All Harris County Tax Office locations and the Harris County Appraisal District are eliminating “direct customer service transactions” amidst concerns over COVID-19, according to Tuesday news releases from HCAD and Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector Ann Harris Bennett. “(This is being done) for the safety of our employees and the community,” Bennett said in the news release. “The tax office is not closed.”
Greg Abbott downplays concerns about inaccuracy of secretary of state's voter citizenship review
By Texas Tribune | January 31, 2019
Despite the amid push from the Secretary of State to purge 95,000 voters in Texas. Ann Harris Bennett analyzes the list and finds that 60% of the original list has errors.
Harris County pushes back against voter purge
By Houston Chronicle | January 28, 2019
Ann Harris Bennett refuses to purge 95,000 voters before carefully analyzing the list provided by the Secretary of State.
It’s not the government that’s bad but a hoodwinked we-the-people’s choices
By Egberto Willies, Blogger | May 19, 2019
If we want the government to be effective, we must elect people who believe in good governance. Recently elected strong women like Ann Harris Bennett in Texas' largest county display those attributes.
For Tax Assessor - Ann Harris Bennett
By Houston Chronicle | September 16, 2016
"That is why we endorse Ann Harris Bennett for Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector. An experienced administrator with more than 14 years' service as a district court coordinator, Bennett, 63, has long advocated for better registration and election processes. She also recognizes how our property tax system treats homeowners unfairly in contrast to commercial property owners".- Houston Chronicle
Ann Harris Bennett named top 30 Influential Women in Houston
By Top 30 Women | 2018
Top 30 Women is honored to recognized the 30 influential women in Houston for 2018.
‘She persisted’: Women who succeeded against the odds – Ann Harris Bennett
By Defender Network | March 16, 2018
Bennett refused to give up and her strong desire to serve the community caused her to once again run for the county tax assessor in 2016. She won that race by over 8,000 votes and was sworn in on Jan. 1, 2017 to a four-year term.
Annie’s List endorses Harris Bennett, Ogg, Valdez for important down-ballot
By Egberto Willies, blogger | March 16, 2018
Electing champion Ann Harris Bennett offer protection, leadership of progressive values for millions of Texans.
Why One of the Most Important Races in Texas is a Local Race in Houston.
By Progressive Texas | October 19, 2016
Texas needs a new Harris County Tax-Assessor Collector could change the future of elections in Texas. Bennett wants to bring the office into the 21st century by embracing new technology, promise that the incumbent did not fulfilled
What does a Tax Assessor-Collector & Voter Registrar do?
By Community Impact | November 3, 2016
Without a state income tax, many public services are funded entirely through property taxes. For example, public schools receive the majority of their revenue via property taxes, collected by the tax assessor-collector. Tax assessor-collectors handle large sums of money. In Harris County, the office collects $6 billion annually in property taxes. As the people in charge of the voter registrar, tax assessors also manage the process for voter registration in their counties. He or she could potentially alter the way voters register, including allowing online registration.