Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

New York Lt. Governor Richard Ravitch is proposing some changes that he hopes will pull the state out of its fiscal crisis. Ravitch is proposing the state move back its fiscal year to July 1, establish a financial review board and add new borrowing. The plan would require the state to establish generally accepted accounting principles to control budget deficits and prohibit the state from carrying deficits from one year to the next. He said if steps aren't taken now, the state will have only one option -- to raise taxes. Ravitch is a well-respected businessman who helped New York City out of its fiscal problems in the mid-1970s. http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/031010LtGovRlsFiscalPlan.html

A New York State appeals court says Richard Ravitch is not the lieutenant governor. The court ruled today that Governor David Paterson's July 8 appointment of Ravitch was unlawful, and that no law or constitutional provision allows the position to be filled by anything but an election. Paterson appointed Ravitch in the hopes of breaking up a senate leadership fight that brought state government to a virtual standstill for about a month.

Lawyers argued today in a New York appellate court on whether Governor David Paterson's appointment of Richard Ravitch as lieutenant governor was legal. A lawyer for the state senate minority leader argued that by appointing a lieutenant governor Paterson robbed citizens of a chance to decide who would be second in line to run the state. Paterson's lawyer argued that state law allowed him to fill the post. Paterson appointed Ravitch on July 8 during a senate stalemate that brought state government to a virtual standstill. The court did not give a timeframe for its ruling.

Richard Ravitch is New York's Lieutenant Governor again – for now. An appeals court judge has stopped a restraining order issued by another judge who ruled that Governor David Paterson's appointment of Ravitch was illegal. Paterson's office issued a statement saying they are confident that the courts will ultimately confirm that the appointment was valid and legally correct. The case is expected to go all the way to the state court of appeals. Paterson appointed Ravitch during the month-long senate power struggle in hopes of breaking 31-31 tie votes in the chamber. NY Governor's Web Site .