Judge Overrules Decision to Block Appointment of Lt. Governor
ALBANY, NY (AP) -- An appellate judge has overruled a decision that blocked Gov. David Paterson from appointing a lieutenant governor.
Paterson on Wednesday named Richard Ravitch as lieutenant governor. He was hoping to break a leadership logjam in the state Senate.
The ruling by state Supreme Court Associate Justice Leonard Austin in Nassau County overturns a restraining order that Republicans had obtained earlier Thursday.
A separate hearing on whether Paterson can appoint a lieutenant governor is scheduled for Friday.
Paterson already swore in Ravitch on Wednesday night to try to help resolve a Senate standoff that had dragged on since June 8. The turmoil ended Thursday when the dissident Democrat who joined Republicans returned to the Democratic conference.
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