Politics on the Hudson

Good news for Assemblyman Richard Brodsky: Gov. Spitzer said today that being a legislator doesn’t disqualify somebody from being the next state comptroller.

Brodsky, D-Greenburgh, is one of several Assembly members who want to take over for Alan Hevesi, who resigned in disgrace as the state’s chief fiscal watchdog right before Christmas after admitting he stole money from taxpayers.

Whom to replace him with for the next four years is up to the Assembly, and a vote is expected before the end of the month.

A sticking point has been Spitzer, who has said that someone from outside Albany would be preferable to an insider for the job. Spitzer doesn’t have an actual vote in this election, but Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has said he’ll consult with the governor before making a decision.

Today Spitzer clarified, at least a little, what he means.

“I have never said one of them (lawmakers)couldn’t be a good comptroller,’’ he said, “or that one of them might not end up being a good comptroller. What I have said is that we need to look for certain standards and qualifications and begin with a standard of qualifications rather than membership (in the Legislature), and go from there.”

OK? So what about Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s girlfriend, state Banking Commissioner Diana Taylor, who has said she wants the job? Spitzer didn’t bite.

“I’m not going to pass judgment on individuals,’’ he said.

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