Paterson picks lt. gov., GOP plans fight

ALBANY, N.Y., July 9 (UPI) -- New York Republicans geared up for a fight to oppose Gov. David Paterson's nomination of Richard Ravitch as lieutenant governor, lawmakers say.

Paterson said Ravitch, 76, would bring stability to the capital and help end what the governor called the "crisis in governance" that for more than a month has paralyzed the Senate, which is evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans, 31-31.

But while the state constitution speaks at some length about what is to happen if the office of lieutenant governor is left vacant, it makes no mention of the possibility of appointing a replacement, The New York Times says.

Paterson wants Ravitch to be able to vote in the Senate, if necessary, to break a tie. But the Senate's rules indicate the lieutenant governor cannot be counted as part of a quorum, a key issue since neither faction has the 32 votes needed for a quorum.

The Senate president is next in line to succeed the governor after the lieutenant governor, but both the feuding Republican and Democratic factions are laying claim to the position.

"Sadly, once again, the governor has put his political career ahead of you, the public." GOP Sen. Dean G. Skelos, the leader of the Republican caucus, said in an address. "Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has already said it's unconstitutional for the governor to appoint a lieutenant governor, and I agree."

The lieutenant governor's office has been vacant since Gov. Eliot Spitzer resigned last year and Paterson succeeded him.

Ravitch served as chairman of New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority from 1979 to 1983 and ran for mayor in 1989. He had been chief labor negotiator for Major League Baseball from 1991 to 1994.