Judge Issues Restraining Order Blocking Ravitch from Serving as Lietuenant Governor

7/21/09 By The Associated Press

MINEOLA — A judge has issued a restraining order blocking Richard Ravitch from serving as New York Gov. David Paterson's lieutenant governor

State Supreme Court Justice William LaMarca issued his ruling in Nassau County late Tuesday afternoon.

Paterson appointed Ravitch, a former head of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, earlier this month as a way of breaking a monthlong leadership deadlock in the state Senate — a deadlock that was resolved anyway when a Democratic senator who had defected to the Republican caucus switched back.

Attorneys for the state Senate argued the state Constitution does not allow for the appointment of a lieutenant governor when a vacancy occurs.

The governor's attorney says a state law allows him to fill some vacant posts until the next election.