WHY DID GOVERNOR PATERSON APPOINT A LT. GOVERNOR?
Article IV, Section 6 of the NYS Constitution invests power in the Lt. Governor to cast the deciding vote in the event of a tie in the State Senate. Unfortunately, NYS currently has no Lt. Governor because that office became vacant when Governor Spitzer resigned and was replaced by then Lt. Governor Paterson. As of the writing of this letter, Governor David Paterson has appointed Richard Ravitch to the position of Lt. Governor. My colleagues in the Senate Majority applaud this decision, which results in a clear line of succession were the Governor unable to perform his duties. Senator Skelos and the Senate Minority are suing the Governor over this appointment, and there should be a court ruling within the next few days. 6. QUESTION: WHY WERE THE NYS SENATORS GETTING PAID FOR NOT WORKING? ANSWER: A Senator has many duties. Enacting legislation is only one aspect of the job, and while of paramount importance, it takes up the least amount of time. I cannot speak for all Senators, but thos
