Court Rules Against Lieutenant Governor
August 20th, 2009
Gov. David Paterson’s appointment of Richard Ravitch as lieutenant governor last month violated the state constitution, a state appeals court panel ruled today. The four judges in Brooklyn said the move was illegal because “no provision of the Constitution or of any statute provides for the filling of the vacancy in the office of lieutenant governor other than by election.”
The lieutenant governor’s job had been opened since its previous occupant — Paterson — became governor in 20089 after the resignation of Gov. Eliot Spitzer. The vacancy attracted increased attention this summer, though, when the State Senate was evenly split between the two political parties — and did not have a lieutenant governor to break the deadlock.
Paterson’s appointment of Ravitch was intended to break the stalemate but Republicans filed suit to block it. In the meantime, the Senate deadlock ended when Sen. Pedro Espada Jr., switched sides again to return to the Democratic fold and give that party a 32-30 edge.
The governor can now bring the case to the state’s highest court — the Court of Appeals — although some experts predict he will not have much chance of success there either.
By Gail Robinson on August 20, 2009, 3:40 pmIn category: Albany, Eye on Albany, Governing, Law | No Comments »

