Paterson names Ravitch lt. gov.

Business Review ^ | July 8, 2009

[NYer]

Gov. David Paterson has appointed businessman Richard Ravitch lieutenant governor.

In a 5 p.m. address, Paterson said the move was necessary as a result of the “chaos” in the Senate.

Paterson called the move unprecedented but necessary.

“I see closure to this crisis,” Paterson said, adding that he was seeking New Yorkers’ support for his decision. He also said he expects a legal challenge to his decision and asked there are plans for “future legal action, I ask it be done expeditiously.”

Ravitch is the former chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority chair.

Paterson said he appointed Ravitch because the leadership void needed to be filled. He said state law did not prevent him from making the appointment.

"Today I will appoint a lieutenant governor who will fill out the remainder of my term with me," Paterson said, adding that Ravitch won't seek a full term.

The appointment of Ravitch, who once worked for Gov. Hugh Carey in the 1970s, however, may lead to litigation. Earlier this week Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said filling the vacant post would be unconstitutional.

Ravitch is chairman of the Commission on Metropolitan Transportation Authority Financing, the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust’s Board of Trustees and the AFL-CIO Building Investment Trust’s Advisory Board.

Ravitch also served as the chairman of the state's Urban Development Board and former principal owner and chairman of the Bowery Savings Bank of New York, according to a biography posted by Hofstra University, where Ravitch spoke last month.

In a statement Paterson said he has discussed the naming of a lieutenant governor with lawyers familiar with the state constitution, a decision he called unprecedented.

Paterson said he has been meeting with individual lawmakers in the Senate and as a group trying to find a resolution. He said the real issue is the economy and without additional budgetary cuts in the Legislature, the state faces added financial difficulties.

The office of lieutenant governor has been open since Paterson became governor, replacing Eliot Spitzer, who resigned in March 2008.

Having someone in the position of lieutenant governor is seen as a way to unblock the gridlock that has snarled the state Senate. The lieutenant governor can cast tie-breaking votes in that chamber.

Ravitch, in his 70s, was chairman of the state Urban Development Corp. during the Carey administration.

Senators have performed no official business since the surprise uprising that Republicans led on June 8. Two Democrats joined all 30 Republicans to oust Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-Queens) as majority leader.After the surprise June 8 vote, the bipartisan group named Sen. Pedro Espada Jr. (D-Bronx) as the Senate’s temporary president. Democrats say the vote was illegal because they say that they had gaveled the session to a close before it was held.

On June 15, Sen. Hiram Monserrate (D-Queens) left the coalition and rejoined Democrats. Now, the Senate is evenly divided between 31 coalition members and 31 Democrats.

Paterson has called several special sessions and today, he said, he withheld senators' salaries.

Control of the chamber has remained up in the air; the bipartisan group of senators, and remaining Democrats, each say they control the Senate.

Sen. Dean Skelos, a Republican, challenged the governor's decision. Skelos (R-Rockland County), is the coalition’s majority leader.

"The days of three men in a room are done," Skelos said today. "The days of openness and fairness are now beginning."

[SunkenCiv]

'Saturday Night Live' mocks Governor Paterson's blindness, past drug use by Stephanie Gaskell Sunday, December 14th 2008

Saturday Night Live pushed the envelope last night with... Fred Armisen as Paterson during a segment on "Weekend Update." ...Armisen, as Paterson, says he has three criteria: economic experience, upstate influence and someone with a disability who is completely unprepared for the job - just like him. "I want to choose a senator not from the glitzy coke parties of Manhattan but rather from the shabbier coke circles of upstate new york," he said. "I'm tired of all these fancy, two-eyed smart alecs from the big city running the whole show. It's time we get someone from Utica, Syracuse or Schnectady - towns where people have something a little off about him. I mean, they don't have to be blind," he said. "I just need someone with like a gamey arm or maybe the giant gums with the tiny teeth. Let's get one of those in the Senate." The fake Paterson points out that he only became governor because of former Gov. Eliot Spitzer's prostition scandal. "Whoever is appointed senator must - like me - be caught totally off guard and be comically unprepared to take office," he said. "Come on, I'm a blind man who loves cocaine who was suddenly appointed governor of New York. My life is an actual plot from a Richard Pryor movie."

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ACTUAL HEADLINE:

Paterson In A Blind Rage Over 'SNL' Skit

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Governor Paterson proposes 'Obesity Tax,' a tax on non-diet sodas
by Glenn Blain and Kenneth Lovett
with Edgar Sandoval and Erica Pearson
Daily News Albany Bureau
Sunday, December 14th 2008

Gov. Paterson, as part of a $121 billion budget to be unveiled Tuesday, will propose an "obesity tax" of about 15% on nondiet drinks. This means a Diet Coke might sell for a $1 - even as the same size bottle of its calorie-rich alter ego would go for $1.15. Paterson's budget also calls for a 3% cut in education spending, a $620-a-year tuition hike at SUNY and a $600 increase at CUNY - and about $3.5 billion in health care cuts, a source said. The Democratic governor will not call for a broad-based income tax boost, but he will push to restore the sales tax on clothing and footwear... State employees again will be asked to forgo their 3% raises next year and defer five days' pay until they leave their jobs, the source said. In all, Paterson will propose about $9 billion in cuts, $4 billion in new taxes and fees, and $1.5 billion in nonrecurring revenue, a second source said. The so-called obesity tax would generate an estimated $404 million a year. Milk, juice, diet soda and bottled water would be exempt from the tax... Public health advocates welcomed news of the tax, saying it would help the fight against childhood obesity. "Raising the price of this liquid candy will put children and teens on a path to a healthier diet," said Elie Ward of the American Academy of Pediatrics of New York State.

[and now, the buried lead:] The Paterson administration also announced steps yesterday to expand the state's social services net, including a 30% increase in welfare payments over three years starting January 2010, increased money for food banks and expanded access to the state's Family Health Plus program. Paterson also hopes to make it easier for people to enroll in Medicaid by eliminating face-to-face interviews and fingerprinting requirements.

[Munz]

>Ah, New York. The libs there are the most vocal in telling the rest of the country who is good enough to run and who isn’t. Wow, wonder how they feel about their state government? Guess it’s hard to notice with their noses so far up in the air.<

No, I live in NY and am completely disgusted with the State at this point. Bunch of bleeding heart liberals won’t be happy until everyone is on welfare and we have to suck on Uncle Sam’s hine tit for our existence.

They are blaming Police and Fire retirements, when i reality welfare and medical programs account for the vast majority of the deficit.

The NYS Senate is like children right now, democrats run in and lock the doors so republicans can’t get in.
Republicans stand for the Pledge and democrats stay seated, actually make each other stay down!
When republicans talk, the democrats hold their hands over their ears.

I am SOOOOO over this nonsense.

[Impy]

This is whack. The Governor ought to have this power but he DOES NOT have it in NY (and Illinois and probably other states). This appointment does not have the force of law.

I wonder if Patterson keeps a copy of NY Constitution at the bottom of his John.

[campaignPete R-CT]

I’m an outside observer on all things NY, now. My efforts to get involved in NY#23 McHugh seat have flopped. Like I really need another campaign.

Always glad to hear from the Field Marshall.

[yongin]

Perhaps Paterson’s action is staged by the NY Dems. If gives Cuomo a convient excuse to primary Paterson and not get the wrath of Al Sharpton for knocking off a black governor.

[The Mayor]

This will go to court, cost us, he will lose and the deadlock is still in place. This does nothing to stop that. The Lt Gov only votes in the case of a tie.

My sources tell me that this destroyed the deal that was struck last night. But, the 4 Hispanics and possible 2 dems may join the Repubs by tomorrows days end.

If anything else, this has awoken many people and now we are focused more than ever on my senator and Stachowski to resign or be replaced. Next year is gonna be a fun year as we destroy these people.

[Impy]

You think they tricked him to do it so they could turn on him? And he never sawing coming? ;p

[Impy]

Saw it.

[yongin]

Paterson is legally blind. :)

[b4its2late]

He was Spitzer’s lookout......

[Impy]