THE JEWISH PRESS ENDORSES SCOTTSTRINGER FOR COMPTROLLER
The Jewish Press endorses Scott Stringer for comptroller. When oneconsiders the responsibilities the job entails, it becomes readily apparent that the case for Mr. Stringer over his opponent, former New York governor Eliot Spitzer, is compelling.
One of the comptroller's major responsibilities is the overall management of five municipal worker union pension funds with combined assets of approximately $141 billion. Each of the funds is ostensibly runindependently by its own board of trustees, who determine investment strategies. The comptroller, however, coordinates the work of the fiveboards and has substantial input into their decision making. And as Manhattan borough president, Mr. Stringer has served as a trustee for thelargest of those funds, thereby gaining important experience and insight.
Clearly, being able to work collegially with the trustees is key. Mr. Stringer'sbackground makes him ideally suited for the task. As a six term stateassemblyman and eight year Manhattan borough president, he earned areputation for effective and savvy management and for fostering cooperationwith his colleagues in government.
Another major responsibility of the comptroller's office is the auditing,vetting and investigating of virtually anything involving government spending. Here again, a cooperative spirit among the comptroller, themayor, and other public officials is essential with clear understanding as towhere the jurisdictional red lines lie. Otherwise, the potential for gridlock looms large. And Mr. Stringer's credentials readily commend themselves.On the other hand, given the reputation Mr. Spitzer earned as attorney general and governor
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he viewed his role and governor
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he viewed hisrole in both capacities as that of a "steamroller" - It is hard to imagine amore unlikely fit for the office of comptroller.
Further, Mr. Spitzer told the New York Times that if elected comptroller hewould look to become "the primary voice of urban policy
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what works and what doesn't work. It's understanding that the audit power of the office is not
