Harry to DiNapoli: I Challenge You To A Televised Debate on the Pension Raid Scheme
Posted by Team Wilson - Wed, June 16, 2010 at 10:14 AM
New York--June 16...New York State comptroller candidate Harry J. Wilson (R-C-I) today issued a challenge to unelected state comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli (D-WFP) on Mr. DiNapoli's plan to allow borrowing from the State Pension Fund to make payments to the very same State Pension Fund, plus approximately $2 billion in interest -- a cost that would be borne by unsuspecting New York taxpayers.
The concept has been widely criticized by Republicans and Democrats alike, and Mr. DiNapoli alternately a) proposed the plan himself, b) opposed the plan, and c) claimed not to be familiar with the plan, even though the Governor issued it on January 14th of this year (link to Governor's news release here).
The curious concept of borrowing from the Pension Plan to pay the Pension Plan was proposed by Mr. DiNapoli in May 2009 in the form of legislation, sponsored at Mr. DiNapoli's request in the State Senate by Senator Diane J. Savino (D-Brooklyn-Staten Island) and in the State Assembly by Assemblyman Peter J. Abbatte (D-Brooklyn). TheSenate and Assembly bills are available here and here, respectively.
"Mr. DiNapoli supported questionable borrowing schemes for 20 years in the State Assembly, but now he seems confused by the definition of the word," Mr. Wilson said. "So I am pleased to offer him a debate opportunity to make his positions on borrowing schemes and other matters pertaining to the office of the state comptroller abundantly clear. This issue is important to the taxpaying public, and I will make myself available to any New York television station graciously willing to host this debate. I ask Mr. DiNapoli to do the same."
Mr. DiNapoli was appointed state comptroller in 2007 by his former colleagues in the State Legislature over the vocal objections of former Governor Eliot Spitzer (D), who called Mr. DiNapoli "thoroughly and totally unqualified" for the job.