N.Y. Assembly Democrats Settle on Comptroller

NY Times ^ | February 7, 2007 | MICHAEL COOPER

[neverdem]

ALBANY, Feb. 7 — The Democratic-led State Assembly dealt a setback today to Gov. Eliot Spitzer by agreeing to elect Assemblyman Thomas P. DiNapoli as the next state comptroller, reneging on a deal it made with the governor to choose only from candidates deemed qualified by an outside screening panel.

The full Legislature voted to make Mr. DiNapoli comptroller this afternoon. The Legislature was in the unusual position of choosing a comptroller for a nearly full four-year term because the popularly elected comptroller, Alan G. Hevesi, resigned in disgrace after he pleaded guilty to a felony late last year.

Instead of a popular vote, or the open process that the Legislature agreed to conduct last month, Mr. DiNapoli was chosen in a closed-door meeting of Assembly Democrats this afternoon. Applause could be heard from outside the door.

Members of the Assembly decided to disregard the screening panel after it recommended the names of three comptroller candidates, and none were members of the Assembly. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said after the closed-door meeting today, “I think the members thought he was the most qualified member, and the most qualified candidate, and they chose to nominate him.”

[neverdem]

Tim Roske/Associated Press
The Democratic-led State Assembly agreed to elect Assemblyman Thomas P. DiNapoli as the next state comptroller.

[xcamel]

see also:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1780974/posts

[neverdem]

Thanks for the link.

[conservative in nyc]

Greg Ball, a rookie Republican assemblyman who represents parts of Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties, called it a “sad day for New York State.”

“The process has been broken, the public trust has been violated,” he said before voting for Ms. Stark. When he declared that “this is the most dysfunctional legislature in the United States of America,” he was drowned out by boos from his colleagues.

“Mr. Speaker, will you please take control?” he asked Mr. Silver.

Mr. Silver replied frostily, “So, Mr. Ball, how do you vote?”

He voted for Ms. Stark.

[b4its2late]

When he declared that “this is the most dysfunctional legislature in the United States of America,” he was drowned out by boos from his colleagues.

The hard truth always hurts.

[neverdem]

SAF Encouraged by ATF Investigation of Bloomberg's Vigilante Sting

Rudy on gun control: "You've got to REGULATE consistent with the Second Amendment"

FReepmail me if you want on or off my New York ping list.

[The Mayor]

The guy has no financial experience and has been in Albany for 20 years. He will be a puppet for covering up Silvers spending.. If the school unions like him, I don't.

Clash of the Titans, Steamroller Spitzer VS Silver and Bruno...
Ahhh, exciting days to come.

Rated #3 Blog in NYState http://albanysinsanity.com/ : )

[CTSeditor]

"Mr. DiNapoli was chosen in a closed-door meeting of Assembly Democrats"

Huh? I thought those days were long gone. Was I lied to? Spitzer? Answer please...

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[jmaroneps37]

There are now just two GOP New York State Senators that stand in the way of the total destruction of New York. spitzer is an anti business lunatic. When he gets full power NYS will become Massachusetts and people will run out so fast they will leave food in their frig. This pick is a sign that the real governor of NYS is silver, an evil slimy rat scumbag who would socialize the world if he could.

[Tabi Katz]

In a letter to lawmakers on Tuesday, the governor said that by ignoring the process and agreeing on one of their own, “you are telling the public that only legislators are eligible to serve as comptroller, and that merit, independence and qualifications do not matter.”

WOW! Never thought I'd agree with Spitwad on anything.

[Mr_Moonlight]

This pick is a sign that the real governor of NYS is Silver

Yep. And has been for a long long time. Shelly Silver has rolled Mario Cuomo for three terms, George Pataki for three terms, and is now rolling "tough-guy" Eliot Spitzer only 39 days into his term as Governor. Shelly is a non-partisan obstructionist, nothing ever gets accomplished in NYS without Shelly's specific approval, at least unless he can cut some back room deal which profits him directly. He is openly on the payroll as a 'consultant' for one of the largest personal injury law firms in the state, one which recently, brazenly, advertised for clients who may have been injured in state parks. A conflict of interest you say? Not in NYS. It's perfectly legal here for Sliver to collect 'consulting fees' from a law firm which sues the state while at the same time opposing any legislative action for tort reform .... crazy stuff, ehhh?

Yep, Sheldon Silver is the *real* Governor of New York, as Eliot Spitzer just found out