Can NY's new Lt. Gov. keep his job?

ALBANY, N.Y. (WIVB) - Governor David Paterson has appointed a new lieutenant governor in hopes of getting the state senate back to work.
But is the move legal?

That new lieutenant governor is 76 year old  businessman Richard Ravitch. While his track record of solving fiscal problems is a good one, his appointment to this position is already being disputed by Republicans and Democrats.

"There is nothing in the Constitution, nor in the law that says I cannot fill the vacant post of Lt. Governor," said New York Governor Paterson.

According to political experts, the Governors decision to elect his own lieutenant governor because the constitution makes no reference to it being illegal, still doesn't make it allowed.

Canisius College Professor Peter Galie said, "Well, boy that's one heck of a reading of the Constitution, because he's saying if it doesn't say I can't do it, I can."

"This I believe is the right thing to do. I have no doubt of that," said the Governor.

Governor David Paterson has now appointed, as his Lt. Governor, Richard Ravitch, known as a fixer of New York City's Mass transit system, and the State's Urban Development Corporation.

Thursday, he could be the tie breaker in the 31 to 31 deadlocked State Senate. Senate Republicans said they and other Democrats know that the Governor has abused his authority but Republican Senator Dean Skelos said the Governor is responsible for much worse than just making this decision.

"Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has already said it's unconstitutional for the Governor to appoint a Lt. governor and I agree. The Governor and his Democrat allies passed a budget that raised taxes and spending to levels never before seen in this state. They made life miserable for tax payers and working families," said Senator Skelos.

Thursday, the Governor and Ravitch are expected to join each other for an 11:30 am press conference, then later Ravitch is expected to preside over the special session of the Senate where work could actually get done.