Attorneys for New York Gov. David Paterson and Senate Republican leader Dean Skelos will square off before the state’s highest court over whether Paterson’s appointment of a lieutenant governor is unconstitutional.
An Appellate Division panel concluded last month that no state law or constitutional provision allows the post to be filled by anything but an election. The Court of Appeals will hear arguments in the case at 10 a.m. Friday.
The governor tapped Richard Ravitch for lieutenant governor July 8 to break up a monthlong Senate leadership struggle.
Besides filling in when the governor is out of state or unable to work, the lieutenant governor has the power to preside over the Senate and cast tie-breaking votes.