Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco (R,C,I-Schenectady, Saratoga) today voted for Martha Stark to become the next State Comptroller, replacing Alan Hevesi who stepped down in December following a felony conviction for misuse of taxpayers' funds. Tedisco said Ms. Stark was a highly qualified candidate with impressive experience in finance, management, auditing and law. Tedisco also renewed his call for a constitutional amendment to change the way such vacancies are filled in the future, a change that would give the voters the final say in the process.

Under Tedisco's plan, State Constitution, Article V, section 1 would be amended to provide that the governor appoint an interim comptroller or attorney general who would only serve until the very next general election (less than one year). The person elected at such general election would then serve the remainder of the term. The office would then be up for a vote again in the same year as the next gubernatorial election.

"The original process was flawed. The new process was only slightly better and it too had problems. The best thing to do in the future is to let the people vote on it," said Tedisco.

To amend the State Constitution, two separately elected State Legislatures need to approve the legislation, and voters then must approve it in a referendum.