Gov Likely To End Senate Stalemate With A Lt. Gov.; Eyes O'Donnell
Governor Paterson is taking to the airwaves this afternoon to announce his solution to the NY Senate stalemate that has left that body in a Republican- Democrat tie, and there are reports that he may appoint a local woman as Lt. Governor. to end the squabble.
WCBS TV in New York City has learned that Gov. David Paterson is planning to appoint a lieutenant governor at 5 p.m. Wednesday. Among the names that WCBS mentions as possible contenders are former US Attorney Denise O'Donnell of Buffalo.
Sources tell WCBSTV.com that the new lieutenant governor is expected to be someone that will play the role of a caretaker in the position, and would not run in next year's gubernatorial election.
On Tuesday, Paterson played it coy when asked if he would name Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi as lieutenant governor. But sources say that Suozzi will not be the name pulled out of the hat to fill the number two post, which has been vacant since he succeeded Eliot Spitzer as governor.
Names that are being circulated are:
O'Donnell, currently Paterson's criminal justice coordinator
Former Court of Appeals Chief Judge Judith Kaye
Secretary of State Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez
The idea of appointing a lieutenant governor to preside over the Senate and break the 31-31 deadlock was proposed earlier in the week by a coalition of government groups and Assemblyman Michael Gianaris.
"It seems to me that the Public Officers Law says that anytime there's a vacancy in an elected office, the governor shall appoint a person to fill it until the next election," Gianaris said on Monday.
Paterson plans to take to the TV airwaves to speak to New Yorkers about the monthlong standoff in the state Senate, hoping the announcement of a newly appointed lieutenant governor will break the inaction in Albany.
Paterson says the gridlock caused by a fight for control of the chamber is holding up critical legislation.
The address is scheduled for 5:01 p.m.
It comes as some senators are setting a Thursday deadline for resolving the conflict that began June 8. Senators from the Democratic conference and the Republican-dominated coalition that mounted a coup are expected to meet on several proposals to end the fight.
Toll Free: 800.616.WBEN
E-Mail Story
Print Story
