Senator Golden Statement on Governor Paterson’s Appointment of a Lieutenant Governor

Albany- State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn) today is responding to Governor David A. Paterson’s appointment of Richard Ravitch to serve as New York’s Lieutenant Governor:

"As the dust settles, one thing is clear that Governor Paterson’s action yesterday was not productive in aiding the process. State constitutional experts, the State Attorney General and elected officials from both sides of the aisle believe the appointment to be unconstitutional.

This guaranteed litigation will only delay negotiations, which just prior to the Governor’s announcement, were on the verge of producing an operating agreement.

The Governor’s move will be shown to be no more than a cynical attempt to improve his poll numbers by showing some form of leadership far too late."