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Paterson Names Lt. Gov to Break NY Senate Standoff

GOP gets court order suspending move

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 9, 2009 8:25 AM CDT

(Newser) – In a desperate play to break the weeks-long deadlock in the New York State Senate, David Paterson last night named a lieutenant governor, who could preside over the hamstrung body and cast tie-breaking votes. But Republicans say they’ve obtained a court order suspending the beleaguered governor's appointment. Richard Ravitch, a 76-year-old Democratic lawyer and former head of the MTA, would also serve as a successor to Paterson if the governor couldn't serve, the New York Times reports. But the legality of the appointment is dubious.

Ravitch says he was sworn in last night, according to the AP. But the state Constitution doesn’t say how the post should be filled if vacant, and Andrew Cuomo, the Democratic attorney general, says the governor doesn’t have the legal right to name a lieutenant governor, calling the move “a political ploy that would wind through the courts for many months.”

New York Gov. David Paterson speaks at a news conference at the Capitol in Albany, NY, on Tuesday, June 30, 2009.
New York Gov. David Paterson speaks at a news conference at the Capitol in Albany, NY, on Tuesday, June 30, 2009.   (AP Photo/Tim Roske)
A sergeant-at-arms staff member waits for Democratic senators to arrive for a conference at the Capitol in Albany, NY, Monday, June 29, 2009.
A sergeant-at-arms staff member waits for Democratic senators to arrive for a conference at the Capitol in Albany, NY, Monday, June 29, 2009.   (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
New York Gov. David Paterson waits to begin a televised address from the Red Room at the state Capitol in Albany, NY, Wednesday, July 8, 2009.
New York Gov. David Paterson waits to begin a televised address from the Red Room at the state Capitol in Albany, NY, Wednesday, July 8, 2009.   (AP Photo/Nathaniel Brooks, Pool)
In this Dec. 4, 2008 file photo, Richard Ravitch, right, speaks while New York Gov. David Paterson listens.
In this Dec. 4, 2008 file photo, Richard Ravitch, right, speaks while New York Gov. David Paterson listens.   (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
kokuaguy
Jul 9, 2009 6:09 AM CDT
I don't think Spitzer could have survived a serious investigation into all of his activities. In any case, what kind of a constitution doesn't provide for this?
Mad
Jul 9, 2009 5:55 AM CDT
I hate this mess. Spitzer should've stayed, damnit! Paterson is such a huge joke
Newser001
Jul 9, 2009 4:26 AM CDT
(Hilarious SNL Video) http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Ni.../

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