ALBANY - A top Assembly Democrat said Tuesday night that his legislative colleagues were prepared to buck Gov. Eliot Spitzer and elect one of their own as state comptroller, despite Spitzer's written warning that they would be a making a “huge mistake.”
Assembly Majority Leader Ronald Canestrari said it was “safe to say” lawmakers on Wednesday would pick one of the four assemblymen seeking the position.
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said he was polling fellow Democrats, but would not say which candidates most members were backing.
Silver and Spitzer met earlier in the day to see if a compromise was possible. But the warring Democrats reported no progress and, within a few hours, Spitzer was out with a letter to lawmakers urging they chose one of three finalists for the job picked by a panel of former state and city comptrollers.
Last month, Wall Street financier Bill Mulrow, New York City financial officer Martha Stark and Nassau County Comptroller Howard Weitzman were named the finalists for the job by a panel of former comptrollers chosen by Spitzer and legislative leaders.
“If you choose not to select one of the three designated candidates for comptroller, you will be sending a clear message that the three individuals found most qualified for the position are being rejected for one reason only - because they are not sitting members of the Legislature,” Spitzer wrote. “You are telling the public that only legislators are eligible to serve as comptroller, and that merit, independence and qualifications do not matter.”
The choices of the former comptrollers stung Democrats in the Assembly majority who wanted an assemblyman to get the position. Many said they would reject the three finalists.
“It certainly looks that way now,” Assemblyman Jack McEneny, of Albany, said Tuesday.
Several reports pegged Thomas DiNapoli of Long Island as a front-runner, but three other Assembly members - Richard Brodsky of Westchester, Joseph Morelle of Rochester and Felix Ortiz of Brooklyn - also had support.
The Assembly passed a resolution to convene a joint session of the Legislature at 2 p.m. Wednesday to cast the vote.
Spitzer, a Democrat, pushed for involving former comptrollers to help ensure the next comptroller has sufficient experience and integrity to replace Alan Hevesi, a Democrat who was re-elected in November, only to resign in December after pleading guilty to using state workers to drive and run errands for his wife.
Silver on Tuesday continued to decry the panel's picks and questioned the former comptrollers' motives.
“There are a number of people who performed well at the interview and clearly it was a flawed process,” Silver said.
“Sitting through 17 interviews over two days like bumps on a log and not asking one question ... It raises suspicions,” Silver said.
The panel picked by Spitzer and legislative leaders to choose finalists for the job included former state comptrollers H. Carl McCall and Edward Regan and former New York City Comptroller Harrison Goldin.
Spitzer said earlier Tuesday the Legislature faces “a fundamental test of the integrity of those who entered that decision process.”
Silver said a compromise with the governor was still possible.
“I never draw a line in the sand and I never say never,” Silver said.
State law mandates that a joint session of the 212-member Legislature must fill any opening in the offices of attorney general or comptroller. Democrats now have 107 members in the Assembly and hold 135 seats in the combined Legislature.
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said he was polling fellow Democrats, but would not say which candidates most members were backing.
Silver and Spitzer met earlier in the day to see if a compromise was possible. But the warring Democrats reported no progress and, within a few hours, Spitzer was out with a letter to lawmakers urging they chose one of three finalists for the job picked by a panel of former state and city comptrollers.
Last month, Wall Street financier Bill Mulrow, New York City financial officer Martha Stark and Nassau County Comptroller Howard Weitzman were named the finalists for the job by a panel of former comptrollers chosen by Spitzer and legislative leaders.
“If you choose not to select one of the three designated candidates for comptroller, you will be sending a clear message that the three individuals found most qualified for the position are being rejected for one reason only - because they are not sitting members of the Legislature,” Spitzer wrote. “You are telling the public that only legislators are eligible to serve as comptroller, and that merit, independence and qualifications do not matter.”
The choices of the former comptrollers stung Democrats in the Assembly majority who wanted an assemblyman to get the position. Many said they would reject the three finalists.
“It certainly looks that way now,” Assemblyman Jack McEneny, of Albany, said Tuesday.
Several reports pegged Thomas DiNapoli of Long Island as a front-runner, but three other Assembly members - Richard Brodsky of Westchester, Joseph Morelle of Rochester and Felix Ortiz of Brooklyn - also had support.
The Assembly passed a resolution to convene a joint session of the Legislature at 2 p.m. Wednesday to cast the vote.
Spitzer, a Democrat, pushed for involving former comptrollers to help ensure the next comptroller has sufficient experience and integrity to replace Alan Hevesi, a Democrat who was re-elected in November, only to resign in December after pleading guilty to using state workers to drive and run errands for his wife.
Silver on Tuesday continued to decry the panel's picks and questioned the former comptrollers' motives.
“There are a number of people who performed well at the interview and clearly it was a flawed process,” Silver said.
“Sitting through 17 interviews over two days like bumps on a log and not asking one question ... It raises suspicions,” Silver said.
The panel picked by Spitzer and legislative leaders to choose finalists for the job included former state comptrollers H. Carl McCall and Edward Regan and former New York City Comptroller Harrison Goldin.
Spitzer said earlier Tuesday the Legislature faces “a fundamental test of the integrity of those who entered that decision process.”
Silver said a compromise with the governor was still possible.
“I never draw a line in the sand and I never say never,” Silver said.
State law mandates that a joint session of the 212-member Legislature must fill any opening in the offices of attorney general or comptroller. Democrats now have 107 members in the Assembly and hold 135 seats in the combined Legislature.
The Citizens' Say
There are No comments posted.