Politics on the Hudson

   In an interview today, Gov. David Paterson criticized senators, who just broke their one-month leadership stalemate, and said they were “less than contrite” for holding up the state’s business. He said it’s time for senators to get back to work and stop “putting political interests ahead of government interests.”

   The state is facing a projected $500 million to $800 million deficit, and lawmakers will have to return to the Capitol this year to make cuts in the current state budget and work on issues like property tax relief and unemployment insurance, Paterson said. He wants the Senate to work on other issues that were in the offing before the GOP and two Democrats staged a leadership coup on June 8, such as legislation on legalizing same-sex marriage.

   (One of the lawmakers later returned to the Senate Democratic conference, creating a 31-31 stalemate. The other, Sen. Pedro Espada of the Bronx, returned to the Democratic conference Thursday, and lawmakers were able to go into session with a quorum and pass financial bills for local governments.)

   Paterson, a former Senate minority leader, said he thinks the last month was a disappointing one for the state. “I think that the Senate chamber is one of the most beautiful rooms that I ever sat in. When I came there, I was 31 years old and still, I guess, young at heart and admired it. I was so proud to be there and I still am. But I’m a realist. I know the image of what it is to be a senator was tarnished in the past month. But my conscience is clear because I’ve done everything I can to restore that trust and I will continue to do so,” he said.

   Paterson defended his appointment of Richard Ravitch, a former Metropolitan Transportation Authority chairman, as lieutenant governor this week. The Senate president is acting governor if the governor is out of the state or incapacitated. What has happened since June 8 shows how fragile the Senate leadership is, he said.

   Ravitch, 76, is an outstanding negotiator with a lot of expertise in transportation, construction, the economy and budgeting, Paterson said. He will be a “huge asset” as New York looks to trim more spending and look at techniques other states have used to save money, the governor said.

   The governor appointed Ravitch in an attempt to break the Senate stalemate but also to ensure a successor would be in place if Paterson became incapacitated. The post has been vacant since March 2008, when Eliot Spitzer resigned as governor and Paterson succeeded him.

   Senate Republicans went back to court to seek a permanent injunction on the appointment. The case was adjourned until Wednesday. They obtained a temporary restraining order earlier this week, but it was signed after Ravitch was sworn in Wednesday night.

   State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said this week that the constitution doesn’t allow the governor to appoint a lieutenant governor.

   Paterson said case law in New York demonstrates that “constitutions generally persuade in favor of filling a vacancy.”

   “My desire was to take action, and I’m confident we’re going to win, but I’m aware that I’m not the final arbiter. The court is,” he said.

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