New York Adult Entertainment: Gov. Paterson’s lawyer says state needs lieutenant governer appointee
A lawyer for state Senate Republican leader Dean Skelos, who says the appointment is unconstitutional, said Ravitch should be kept from the office at least until the issue is resolved. State Appellate Division Justice Steven W. Fisher said the Brooklyn-based court would rule soon on Ravitch’s status.
Associated Press file photoGov. David Paterson, left, appointed Richard Ravitch as his lieutenant governor.
Although arguments Thursday centered on Ravitch, both sides touched on larger issues — whether Paterson had the authority to tap Ravitch as his second-in-command and what the state stands to gain or lose from the governor’s decision. Arguments on the legitimacy of the appointment itself are scheduled for Aug. 18.
The Democratic governor appointed Ravitch on July 8 to provide a potential tie-breaking vote and break up a monthlong Senate leadership logjam. The post had been vacant since March 2008, when Paterson became executive chief after Gov. Eliot Spitzer resigned in a prostitution scandal.
See the full article from “Staten Island Advance – SILive.com”