Governor Bev Perdue today accepted the resignation of Department of Revenue Secretary Kenneth Lay, effective Oct. 22.

She announced that state Senator David Hoyle will be sworn in as the new Revenue secretary pending completion of his required Ethics Commission review.

“I thank Ken Lay for his service to the state, and for the progress he has made in seeking a new strategic direction for the Department of Revenue,” said Gov. Perdue. “I am happy to welcome David Hoyle to the cabinet. He recognizes my commitment to setting government straight and I believe he will garner the respect and trust of taxpayers. As co-chair of the Senate Finance Committee and as a successful businessman, Senator Hoyle has seen the Department of Revenue from the inside and out. He has spent years helping to write the state’s tax laws, and I’m sure that experience will prove invaluable in his new role.”

Hoyle has served nearly 18 years in the State Senate, and has been named among the top five most effective members of the General Assembly. In addition to co-chairing the Senate Finance Committee, he also served as chair of the Senate Rules Committee.