The little talked about and often misunderstood duties of the Connecticut State Comptroller were first included in the State Constitution in 1786, and have been expanded over the years to include providing accounting and financial services, developing accounting policy, exercising accounting oversight, and preparing financial reports for state, federal and municipal governments and the public. So the comptroller actually oversees the payment of all wages and salaries of state employees; and negotiates the procurement of their medical, dental and pharmacy benefits. Today the state's incumbent Democratic State Comptroller is Kevin Lembo. He is seeking re-election this November and is facing Republican challenger Sharon McLaughlin and Green Party nominee Rolf Maurer.