Thomas DiNapoli
Encyclopedia
Thomas P. DiNapoli is the 54th Comptroller
of the state of New York
. He is a former state assemblyman
in New York, who was appointed as New York State Comptroller on February 7, 2007. He was formerly the Chairman of the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee. DiNapoli is a Democrat
from Long Island
. He is a resident of the Village of Great Neck Plaza
. In November 2010, he narrowly won re-election.
Board of Education
. At the age of 18 in 1972, he was the youngest person in New York State history to hold public office. He served on the school board for 10 years.
In 1976, DiNapoli graduated magna cum laude from Hofstra University
with a bachelor's degree
in history. After college he worked for New York Telephone
.
In 1988, he received a master's degree
in human resources management from The New School University's Graduate School of Management and Urban Professions.
to represent the 16th District in Northwest Nassau County
in 1986. DiNapoli was later elected Chairman of the Nassau County Democratic Committee. In 2001, he lost the Democratic nomination for Nassau County Executive
to Glen Cove
Mayor
Thomas Suozzi
, who won the seat. In 2006, DiNapoli was a candidate for lieutenant governor
, but dropped out of the race after State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer
, the party's frontrunner for governor
, chose Senate Minority Leader
David Paterson
as his running mate for lieutenant governor.
to replace Alan Hevesi
, who resigned in December 2006. He was interviewed by a panel of two former State Comptrollers, a former New York City Comptroller and a group of legislators on January 24, 2007. DiNapoli was not amongst the three finalists deemed qualified by the review panel. On February 7, 2007, in a joint session of the New York State Legislature, DiNapoli was elected as New York State Comptroller, succeeding Alan Hevesi
by a vote of 150 to 56.
and financial expert Frank Zarb. Also included in this commission are Nassau County Executive
Tom Suozzi, Chancellor of Syracuse
Nancy Cantor
, and New York City Comptroller
William Thompson.
In March 2007, as one of DiNapoli's first public statements as Comptroller, he criticized Governor Eliot Spitzer
's proposed budget, stating that the levels of spending were at an "unsustainable rate". DiNapoli stated that, at the rate proposed by Spitzer's budget, there would be a $13 billion deficit in three years' time.
As Comptroller, DiNapoli makes periodic, public reports on a variety of issues affecting state, local, and charitable agencies. In March 2010, he reported that non-profits have been hurt by the recession as well as by delays in state contracts.
By April 2010, DiNapoli gained a reputation as a critic of the State's budget deficit. He "has proposed major reforms in the state budget process." He unveiled a package of proposed reforms to the budget process in March 2010. Key parts of his plans are for "governors to identify plans to erase budget deficits in future years," to cap state debt, and to require excess surplusses to be deposited into the "rainy day fund
".
for comptroller.
In November 2010, he narrowly won election. DiNapoli claimed victory early the morning of November 3, and Harry Wilson conceded later in the morning.
New York State Comptroller
The New York State Comptroller is a state cabinet officer of the U.S. state of New York. The duties of the comptroller include auditing government operations and operating the state's retirement system.-History:...
of the state of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. He is a former state assemblyman
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
in New York, who was appointed as New York State Comptroller on February 7, 2007. He was formerly the Chairman of the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee. DiNapoli is a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
from Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
. He is a resident of the Village of Great Neck Plaza
Great Neck Plaza, New York
Great Neck Plaza is a village in the town of North Hempstead in Nassau County, New York in the United States. The population was 6,707 at the 2010 census....
. In November 2010, he narrowly won re-election.
Entry career and education
DiNapoli has been active in politics since he was a teenager, when he ran for and won a position as a representative to the MineolaMineola, New York
Mineola is a village in Nassau County, New York, USA. The population was 18,799 at the 2010 census. The name is derived from a Native American word meaning a "pleasant place"....
Board of Education
Board of education
A board of education or a school board or school committee is the title of the board of directors or board of trustees of a school, local school district or higher administrative level....
. At the age of 18 in 1972, he was the youngest person in New York State history to hold public office. He served on the school board for 10 years.
In 1976, DiNapoli graduated magna cum laude from Hofstra University
Hofstra University
Hofstra University is a private, nonsectarian institution of higher learning located in the Village of Hempstead, New York, United States, about east of New York City: less than an hour away by train or car...
with a bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in history. After college he worked for New York Telephone
New York Telephone
The New York Telephone Company was organized in 1896, taking over the New York City operations of the American Bell Telephone Company.-Predecessor companies:...
.
In 1988, he received a master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in human resources management from The New School University's Graduate School of Management and Urban Professions.
New York Assembly and politics
DiNapoli worked as an aide for Assemblywoman May Newburger, whom he succeeded. He was elected to the New York State AssemblyNew York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
to represent the 16th District in Northwest Nassau County
Nassau County, New York
Nassau County is a suburban county on Long Island, east of New York City in the U.S. state of New York, within the New York Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,339,532...
in 1986. DiNapoli was later elected Chairman of the Nassau County Democratic Committee. In 2001, he lost the Democratic nomination for Nassau County Executive
County executive
A county executive is the head of the executive branch of government in a county. This position is common in the United States.The executive may be an elected or an appointed position...
to Glen Cove
Glen Cove, New York
Glen Cove is a city in Nassau County, New York on the North Shore of Long Island. As of the United States 2010 Census, the city population was 26,964....
Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
Thomas Suozzi
Thomas Suozzi
Thomas R. "Tom" Suozzi was the county executive of Nassau County, New York. He was first elected to the post of county executive in 2001, the first Democratic county executive since Eugene Nickerson left office in 1971.In 2006, he ran unsuccessfully against Eliot Spitzer for the Democratic...
, who won the seat. In 2006, DiNapoli was a candidate for lieutenant governor
Lieutenant Governor of New York
The Lieutenant Governor of New York is a constitutional office in the executive branch of the government of New York State. It is the second highest ranking official in state government. The lieutenant governor is elected on a ticket with the governor for a four year term...
, but dropped out of the race after State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer
Eliot Spitzer
Eliot Laurence Spitzer is an American lawyer, former Democratic Party politician, and political commentator. He was the co-host of In the Arena, a talk-show and punditry forum broadcast on CNN until CNN cancelled his show in July of 2011...
, the party's frontrunner for governor
Governor of New York
The Governor of the State of New York is the chief executive of the State of New York. The governor is the head of the executive branch of New York's state government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military and naval forces. The officeholder is afforded the courtesy title of His/Her...
, chose Senate Minority Leader
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
David Paterson
David Paterson
David Alexander Paterson is an American politician who served as the 55th Governor of New York, from 2008 to 2010. During his tenure he was the first governor of New York of African American heritage and also the second legally blind governor of any U.S. state after Bob C. Riley, who was Acting...
as his running mate for lieutenant governor.
Election
DiNapoli applied to be State ComptrollerNew York State Comptroller
The New York State Comptroller is a state cabinet officer of the U.S. state of New York. The duties of the comptroller include auditing government operations and operating the state's retirement system.-History:...
to replace Alan Hevesi
Alan Hevesi
Alan G. Hevesi is a Democratic politician whoserved as a New York State Assemblyman from 1971 to 1993, as Comptroller of the City of New York from 1994 to 2001, and as State Comptroller for the State of New York from 2003 to 2006...
, who resigned in December 2006. He was interviewed by a panel of two former State Comptrollers, a former New York City Comptroller and a group of legislators on January 24, 2007. DiNapoli was not amongst the three finalists deemed qualified by the review panel. On February 7, 2007, in a joint session of the New York State Legislature, DiNapoli was elected as New York State Comptroller, succeeding Alan Hevesi
Alan Hevesi
Alan G. Hevesi is a Democratic politician whoserved as a New York State Assemblyman from 1971 to 1993, as Comptroller of the City of New York from 1994 to 2001, and as State Comptroller for the State of New York from 2003 to 2006...
by a vote of 150 to 56.
Service as Comptroller
In lieu of a transition committee, DiNapoli established a commission to review the Comptroller's office. The commission was headed by former Mayor of New York Ed KochEd Koch
Edward Irving "Ed" Koch is an American lawyer, politician, and political commentator. He served in the United States House of Representatives from 1969 to 1977 and three terms as mayor of New York City from 1978 to 1989...
and financial expert Frank Zarb. Also included in this commission are Nassau County Executive
County executive
A county executive is the head of the executive branch of government in a county. This position is common in the United States.The executive may be an elected or an appointed position...
Tom Suozzi, Chancellor of Syracuse
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
Nancy Cantor
Nancy Cantor
Nancy Cantor is the 11th chancellor and president of Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York. She received her A.B. in 1974 from Sarah Lawrence College and her Ph.D. in psychology in 1978 from Stanford University. She became chancellor upon the retirement of Kenneth "Buzz" Shaw...
, and New York City Comptroller
New York City Comptroller
The Office of Comptroller of New York City is the chief fiscal officer and chief auditing officer of the city. The comptroller is elected, citywide, to a four-year term and can hold office for three consecutive terms. The current comptroller is Democrat John Liu, formerly a member of the New York...
William Thompson.
In March 2007, as one of DiNapoli's first public statements as Comptroller, he criticized Governor Eliot Spitzer
Eliot Spitzer
Eliot Laurence Spitzer is an American lawyer, former Democratic Party politician, and political commentator. He was the co-host of In the Arena, a talk-show and punditry forum broadcast on CNN until CNN cancelled his show in July of 2011...
's proposed budget, stating that the levels of spending were at an "unsustainable rate". DiNapoli stated that, at the rate proposed by Spitzer's budget, there would be a $13 billion deficit in three years' time.
As Comptroller, DiNapoli makes periodic, public reports on a variety of issues affecting state, local, and charitable agencies. In March 2010, he reported that non-profits have been hurt by the recession as well as by delays in state contracts.
By April 2010, DiNapoli gained a reputation as a critic of the State's budget deficit. He "has proposed major reforms in the state budget process." He unveiled a package of proposed reforms to the budget process in March 2010. Key parts of his plans are for "governors to identify plans to erase budget deficits in future years," to cap state debt, and to require excess surplusses to be deposited into the "rainy day fund
Rainy day fund
Rainy day fund, rainy day reserve, or emergency fund are terms used to describe a reserved amount of money to be used in times when regular income is disrupted or decreased in order for typical operations to continue. In the United States, the term is usually used to apply to the funds maintained...
".
2010 election
DiNapoli was up for election in November 2010. On May 1, 2010, he won the Democratic Rural Conference’s Straw Poll by acclamation. On May 26, 2010, DiNapoli received the designation of the New York Democratic Party. "I’m grateful for your support and I salute your commitment to moving our great state forward. It’s a commitment I share with each of you," said DiNapoli on the occasion. He received the nomination of the Working Families PartyWorking Families Party
The Working Families Party is a minor political party in the United States founded in New York in 1998. There are "sister" parties to the New York WFP in Connecticut, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Oregon, but there is as yet no national WFP...
for comptroller.
In November 2010, he narrowly won election. DiNapoli claimed victory early the morning of November 3, and Harry Wilson conceded later in the morning.
Personal
DiNapoli is single and has no children. Both of his parents are the children of immigrants. His father, Nick, served in World War II, and after the war worked as a cable splicer for the phone company. For a time he was a shop steward for his union. DiNapoli's mother, Adeline, was a records clerk for the county police department.External links
- New York State Office of the State Comptroller official state site
- The New York Times - Times Topics: Thomas P. DiNapoli collected news stories and commentary
- Letter Written To The New York Times In Response To An Article About New York's Small, Freshwater Wetlands
- "Instant reformer: Face to Face with Thomas P. DiNapoli," (Pensions & Investments)