Albany lawmakers disagreeing is nothing new, but Governor Paterson's opposition to his own lieutenant governor's budget plan—one that includes borrowing to balance the budget—is interesting, given how Paterson fought to have LG Richard Ravitch as his number two. The NY Times reports that Paterson's stance, "announced at a public meeting of state leaders in the Capitol, underscored the growing tension between Mr. Ravitch and the rest of the Paterson administration, who are fundamentally divided over how to close the state’s $9.2 billion deficit." more ›

With a federal judge temporarily blocking Governor Paterson's move to force state workers to take one day unpaid furloughs, other options are being considered. Yesterday the Governor was opaque on how the state might operate without a budget when the money runs out at the end of the month, but Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch hasn't pulled punches. On Tuesday he said that if furloughs were ruled illegal, the Paterson administration might simply lay off state workers. Paterson has not ruled out that option, and yesterday he said he was determined to fight for furloughs. more ›

Yesterday, Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch unveiled his NY State fiscal plan, which includes limited borrowing, a change in accounting practices, and creating a board that would review the budget on a quarterly basis. While some lawmakers are unhappy with the ideas proposed, given that NY State is facing a $9 billion deficit—and another $15 billion gap next year—they seem resigned to agree to it. more ›

Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch has just unveiled his five year fiscal plan for NY State. Details had been leaked over the past few days, so it was no shock that the plan includes limited borrowing, adopting GAAP accounting, and creating a Financial Review Board to monitor and review the plan. more ›

In the latest "Can Governor Paterson lead? No" blitz (yesterday, sources called him "insanely mercurial"), Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver tells the Daily News, "I think it would be good" if Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch handled critical budget talks with the Legislature. Silver, who already praised Ravitch in the NY Times, explained, "I think he might have some, I'll call it, out-of-the-box thinking that may move us toward resolution. Obviously, everything he does would be at the behest of the governor." more ›

Depress yourself about the state of the state of New York some more by reading the NY Times' feature on accidental lieutenant governor Richard Ravitch! Basically, it boils down to the problem of having an apparently competent and respected person in Albany...but without any power to do anything. Ravitch himself says, "You could say, ‘Ravitch isn’t relevant to anything,’ and that wouldn’t be totally inaccurate either." more ›

Sure, Governor Paterson announced he wouldn't seek election this year in the wake of the scandal involving abuse accusations against his aide—and his own and the State Police's involvement in speaking with the accuser—but is that good enough? A number of other politicians called for him to resign; City Comptroller John Liu, who called Paterson a friend, said, "We have a $4.1 billion budget deficit to grapple with in New York City and cannot make real progress until the State budget is resolved on time one month from now. In order for this to happen, we need Governor Paterson to step down now." more ›

[UPDATE BELOW] The rumor mill is churning right now about a "big, damaging" New York Times "bombshell" story that supposedly features some ruinous dirt about the personal life of Governor David Paterson. Elizabeth Benjamin at the Daily News hears it "will be far worse than his acknowledged extramarital affair with a former state employee." Remember when you first heard about Eliot Spitzer's involvement with prostitutes, and everyone was like, "Okay, so who the hell is David Paterson?" Well, let's get to know current Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch! (We would link to his official New York State website, but, heh, that doesn't even exist.) more ›

Former MTA chairman and current Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch declared yesterday that East River tolls will come back to haunt us for eternity! The Daily News reports that he told an NYU graduate school class that "User fees will come back and back, and they will happen." The tolls were part of his solution to solve to the MTA's financial crisis; "the so-called Ravitch plan included tolling the East and Harlem River bridges to avert sky-high fare hikes and Draconian service cuts while paying for critical projects." more ›

Governor Paterson continues to swing wildly at any and all challengers who might want a shot at his governorship, whether they are actually coming for him or not. And apparently now he's also paranoid that Richard Ravitch might want his job. After chatter that he'll resign, Paterson is reportedly worried that such speculation is going to the head of Richard Ravitch, the man whom he handpicked and fought for in court to be lieutenant governor. An "insider" told the Post's Fred Dicker, "I think Paterson thinks that Ravitch can't wait for him to go so he can take over and become governor." more ›

The "will he or won't he" talk surrounding Governor Paterson's 2010 campaign is once again getting overshadowed by speculation that Paterson may not even finish his term. "One of the state's most prominent Democrats" tells Fred Dicker that they think the governor may pass the state's reins over to Richard Ravitch by next spring. Dicker adds that a longtime Paterson backer called his appearance "a pathetic performance" and other Dems are referring to him as "finished," "dead meat," and "not among the political living." more ›

Our new lieutenant governor does not know what Twitter is and has a playful sense of swearing. Richard Ravitch wasted no time in spinning out the "I don't give a shit" charm that makes him so appealing to many New Yorkers, telling reporters, "I know that my golf game is going to go to hell in a basket." more ›

Score one for Paterson! The state's highest court just sided with him on his appointment of Richard Ravitch as Lieutenant Govenor. Read the Times piece for a full brief on the 4-3 decision, considered a "stunning reversal" - all the lower courts had held against Paterson. more ›

After Governor Paterson's appointment of Richard Ravitch as lieutenant governor was struck down again recently in a state appeals court, it appeared to be curtains for one of Paterson's most popular moves in an attempt to combat the state senate takeover this spring. But yesterday the state's top court gave the governor and Ravitch a glimmer of hope after they were unexpectedly tough on the state senator who took the appointment to court, Republican Minority Leader Dean Skelos. more ›

Well you had a good run, Richard Ravitch. After conflicting decisions from the courts in the days immediately following him signing his name as lieutenant governor in Peter Luger's blood, a state appeals panel in Brooklyn has once again struck down Governor Paterson's appointment of Ravitch as unconstitutional. In the panel's unanimous decision today, they said, "We have no quarrel with those who say that having a man of Mr. Ravitch’s stature, knowledge, and experience in the office of lieutenant governor would promote the public interest by providing help and counsel to the governor in difficult times and by bringing much-needed stability to the government of this State...(but) the governor’s purported appointment of Mr. Ravitch was unlawful because no provision of the Constitution or of any statute provides for the filling of the vacancy in the office of lieutenant governor other than by election." While the panel encouraged that Paterson take the fight all the way to the Court of Appeals, the Daily News says that is not likely since that court consists mostly of Pataki appointees. more ›

With the legal battle over the constitutionality of Richard Ravitch's appointment as lieutenant governor heading back into a Brookly court tomorrow, Governor Paterson has filed papers stating just how essential it is to have Ravitch around as all of this is being decided. Paterson says that Ravitch is "needed as a 'credible bridge' to business and labor." He also filed an affidavit from former governor Hugh Carey, who supported the choice of Ravitch as "a stellar and dedicated public servant." PolitickerNY sums up Paterson's position: "The crux of it is: You should uphold Richard Ravitch's appointment because Richard Ravitch is great." Senate Republicans have said that nothing Paterson has put forth addresses his constitutionality in making the appointment, something that has been criticized by everyone from Andrew Cuomo to Donald Trump. After getting secretly sworn in at Peter Luger's, state courts have gone back and forth as to whether Ravitch can stick around. more ›

The day after a State Supreme Court justice issued an injunction to block Governor Paterson's appointment of Richard Ravitch as lieutenant governor, an Appellate judge lifted the injunction. Paterson's office issued a statement saying, "We remain confident that the courts ultimately will confirm that Gov. Paterson’s appointment of Lieutenant Gov. Richard Ravitch was valid and legally correct," while State Senate minority leader Dean Skelos (R-Long Island) who filed the suit against the appointment said, "The Governor might have bought himself a little time by getting a judge to give him a temporary stay pending a full hearing next week, but like former Chief Judge Sol Wachtler, Lieutenant Gov. Stan Lundine and virtually every legal scholar of note, I believe the courts will agree that Gov. Paterson violated the state’s constitution by attempting to name his own lieutenant governor." Paterson has said if Ravitch's appointment is blocked, he'll introduce a bill allowing governors to appoint lieutenant governors. more ›

Guess being secretly sworn in at Peter Luger Steakhouse doesn't guarantee anything: A judge issued an injunction blocking Richard Ravitch from serving as lieutenant governor. Newsday reports, "State Supreme Court Justice William LaMarca said the injunction was needed to give the court time to hear more arguments about the constitutionality of Ravitch's appointment." LaMarca added, "Were the governor to die, resign, or be removed from office, Mr. Ravitch, if allowed to remain in office, is next in the line of succession...For an illegally appointed lieutenant governor to act as governor of the state would clearly constitute irreparable harm." more ›

Donald Trump had some choice words to say about newly appointed Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch. The Post prints some of a letter that the developer-bloviator sent to Governor Paterson; here's an excerpt: "His image as a 'Mr. Fix-It' is exactly that, an image... He is able to communicate well with reporters and the press, and his image has always been good and very clean despite his failures as a businessman and representative of state government... If you look at Mr. Ravitch's history with the unions, it will show one thing very clearly: that the unions will love having him at the helm because he will give them whatever they want, even though the deficit of New York has reached catastrophic levels." Trump adds that his dad worked with Ravitch, but "it became obvious to my father, Fred, that Dick Ravitch was very ineffective at getting the lowest price and overall best contract." Oh, and The Donald also blames Ravitch for the MLB strike in 1994 (Ravitch was lead negotiator). As for challenging Ravtich's appointment, that case will be heard on Wednesday. more ›

Grab some quarters if you're crossing the East River today. The crossings run by the MTA—the RFK, Whitestone, Throgs Neck Bridges plus the Midtown and Battery Tunnels all go up 50 cents to $5.50 today. The toll hike is the last phase of the revenue being raised by the MTA in the face of their budget crisis. Of course at one point the plan involved tolls being introduced to the East River crossings, but that dream proposed by now (sort of) Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch was shot down by everyone's favorite state senators. Other tolls going up today include the Henry Hudson, Marine Bay, Cross Bay and Verrazano Bridges—the last of which is now up to a whopping eleven dollars. One Upper West Sider told WCBS 2, "I don't understand how you can get away with it, I mean it is better than the doomsday scenario. It was poorly advertised and a lot of people are going to be caught off guard." more ›

It's unclear whether Governor Paterson's appointment of Richard Ravitch will ever hold up as being legal, but at least the pair can rest knowing this—they pulled it off like pimps. Soon after Paterson went on television and made his announcement yesterday and before the GOP could mount a court challenge to block it (way back when they were allied with Sen. Pedro Espada), Ravitch was secretly sworn in while having dinner at Peter Luger Steak House in Williamsburg. When Ravitch's 7:45 reservation for four added a mysterious fifth person, the group explained what was going on and said they were in a hurry. The president of Peter Luger's told the Times, "They drew out some documents, and they were very excited and everything. Mr. Ravitch said, ‘This is my favorite restaurant, and I wouldn’t take the oath of office anywhere else.’ People around them were trying to figure out what was going on.” While there's no word on what Ravitch ordered, he did pose for a picture as he signed his oath, hopefully with the blood of an $85 steak. more ›

Just as we were getting used to the idea of a "Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch"—secretly sworn in by Governor Paterson last night—now here's another curveball for New Yorkers: State Senator Pedro Espada Jr. tells the Post he's leaving the Republican coalition and will rejoin the Democrats! He said, "I'm going to tell (Republican leader Sen.) Dean Skelos that I have a handshake agreement with (Democratic leader Sen.) John Sampson to become the majority leader." Keep in mind that Espada and fellow Democrat Hiram Monserrate's alignment with Republicans help send the State Senate down this rabbit hole. more ›

While Governor Paterson may have appointed Richard Ravitch as his lieutenant governor, Senate Republicans are stopping that, by way of a court order signed at 12:23 a.m. "after a petition from the leaders of the Republican-dominated State Senate coalition, Pedro Espada Jr. and Dean Skelos," PolitickerNY reports. A hearing will be held in Mineola, NY tomorrow, because Skelos sought the order in his home county. Skelos, who would be majority leader if the Republicans do control the Senate, said of Ravitch's appointment, "I think it's a publicity stunt and totally illegal." Ravitch, the former head of the MTA, was sworn in at 8 p.m. last night, just three hours after Paterson's announcement. more ›

In a few minutes, Governor Paterson will speak to New Yorkers about the State Senate stalemate—and many believe he'll appoint a lieutenant governor! While some speculation was that he would pick Denise O'Donnell, the former Buffalo U.S. attorney and currently Paterson's criminal justice coordinator, and Secretary of State Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez, NY1 and the Daily News report the LG will be Richard Ravitch, who formulated recommendations for the recent MTA bailout. 5:01 p.m.: Paterson speaks about the embarrassing situation of the State Senate stalemate, listing the problems it's caused (NYC's hiring freeze, Yonkers' budget problem). He acknowledges the problems lie beyond the Senate—they are with the economy—but emphasizes the Legislature needs to pass bills and how there is no presiding officer in the Senate, especially how there is no successor for him. Paterson says the State Constitution gives him explicit power to appoint a vacant LG. "I have selected Richard Ravitch...to serve with me through 2010. He will not be a candidate thereafter." He adds, "If there's legal action"—hello, AG Cuomo— he wants it done expeditiously. He thinks this is the "right thing to do—we cannot allow for any further exposure to risk during this time of economic uncertainty." more ›

The NY State Legislature is meeting this afternoon to pass the MTA bailout the News calls "a slow-motion train wreck (that's) better than nothing." With no long term plans for capital funding and future hikes expected, Richard Ravitch (pictured), the man who got the bailout ball rolling, said, "I am disappointed that they didn't fund the five year plan. I'm disappointed they didn't do the tolls. But I'm thrilled they did something." The lack of East River tolls can be attributed to the maneuvering of the Gang of Three, one of whom (Sen. Carl Kruger) joked at a press conference, "Ravitch is supporting the plan that he opposed two months ago." Politicker NY says that no one laughed. The final push from Governor Paterson and Malcolm Smith was to promise $60 million to Long Island schools in order to get the last two Democratic holdouts on board with subjecting their constituents to the payroll tax that will largely fund the plan. Still, one local official on the Island told Newsday, "I'm very discouraged. I don't believe that Long Island's interests were well represented." more ›

With a May 1st deadline for Albany to get done in order to save commuters from the entire wrath of proposed MTA fare hikes and service cuts, Governor Paterson is continuing his aggressive push for legislators to take action. Yesterday he spoke in support of former MTA Commissioner Richard Ravitch and his rescue plan. Paterson said, “He brought back a plan that won the approval of every reasonable point of view from different sides. Except in Albany. It’s a different planet. As we like to point out, there is no gravity.” more ›

Ravitch Commission Chairman Richard Ravitch did not hold back in responding to critics who immediately came out griping against some of the suggestions to fix the MTA's code red budget in Thursday's report. He told the Daily News, "Obviously, I have to assume they must know of some secret fairy godmother who has piles of money she is going to send and solve the problem. Otherwise, they'd better damn well explain how the system is going to be paid for." The Ravitch Commision's report had immediately drawn criticism from those in the outer boroughs who felt that putting tolls on all bridges coming into Manhattan put an unfair burden on them. Ravitch stands behind the plan that he says will hit drivers, transit riders and employers equally. more ›