NYC comptroller candidates' debate, summarized

Crain's "New York Business" reported July 22, 2009 on a debate of the New York City comptroller candidates.

City councilors Melinda Katz and John Liu favored raising taxes on the wealthy to bolster the city's revenue. Liu and councilor David Weprin agreed with current comptroller William Thompson's call for Mayor Michael Bloomberg to fire Department of Education Chancellor Joel Klein.

More specifics on Klein and the city Department of Education, direct from the Crains article:

Mr. Liu said he supports an assembly measure that would extend mayoral control, but that would make the DOE subject to examination by the comptroller.

“It’s the largest agency in the city and it’s ridiculous that the comptroller can’t touch it,” he said.

Mr. Weprin agreed, saying the comptroller’s office should have a right to audit the outside contracting budget of the DOE, which he said totals $2 billion a year.

Ms. Katz would not say whether she thought Mr. Klein should be fired and Mr. Yassky said he would not fire Mr. Klein.

For other details, see this link on the debate.