http://www.observer.com/term/lieutenant-governor-ravitch en http://www.observer.com/2009/politics/new-new-democratic-leadership-team All of the purported leaders of the Democratic conference stood together to announce their leadership team at a press conference just now. They are: Pedro Esapda Jr., the chamber’s majority leader. Malcolm Smith, the chamber’s president pro tempore. A source familiar with the deal said that Smith would hold that post only until December; when asked about this, Sampson would not say either way. John Sampson, the Democratic conference leader. Jeff Klein, the deputy majority leader. Carl Kruger, chairman... Politics 2009 Senate Coup Governor Lieutenant Governor Ravitch Local Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:13:00 -0400 http://www.observer.com/2009/politics/new-new-democratic-leadership-team http://www.observer.com/2009/politics/source-espada-triple-crosses-ending-stalemate ALBANY—A Democratic state senator involved in negotiations just confirmed that State Senator Pedro Espada Jr. will be returning to that conference as co-majority leader. "I think the conference will go for it," the source said. Espada is right now standing on the balcony over the Senate chamber talking to Steve Pigeon. Espada told Fred Dicker that "Dean [Skelos] rejected an opportunity" and now he's returning to the Democrats. This would end the stalemate that has hobbled Albany... Politics 2009 Senate Coup Governor Lieutenant Governor Ravitch Local Pedro Espada Jr. Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:54:00 -0400 http://www.observer.com/2009/politics/source-espada-triple-crosses-ending-stalemate http://www.observer.com/2009/politics/paterson-ravitch-explain-themselves ALBANY—Speaking in the ornate Red Room, which was stocked half-full of administration officials, including the commissioners of several state agencies, David Paterson appeared publicly for the first time with newly named Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch. Paterson said Ravitch was sworn in around 8:40 p.m. last night, and his oath was filed and accepted by the Secretary of State by 11 p.m., over 90 minutes before a restraining order was issued by a Nassau County judge.... Politics 2009 Senate Coup David Paterson Governor Lieutenant Governor Ravitch Local Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:43:00 -0400 http://www.observer.com/2009/politics/paterson-ravitch-explain-themselves http://www.observer.com/2009/politics/patersons-new-lawyers ALBANY—Democrats are attacking a court order restraining Richard Ravitch, the newly appointed lieutenant governor, saying it was obtained improperly. "We continue to want an expeditious court review; we want it to be in the appropriate court, not Nassau County in the middle of the night," Kathleen Sulivan, the former dean of Stanford Law School and the head of David Paterson's newly named legal team, said. "If you're going to try to enjoin action by public... Politics 2009 Senate Coup Andrew Cuomo David Paterson Governor Kathleen Sullivan Lieutenant Governor Ravitch Local Richard Briffault Tomas Gleason Victor Kovner Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:31:00 -0400 http://www.observer.com/2009/politics/patersons-new-lawyers http://www.observer.com/2009/politics/winner-we-should-look-impeaching-paterson ALBANY—State Senator George Winner just suggested Paterson's appointment of Richard Ravitch is an impeachable offense. "I think that any time you're talking about willful violation of the constitution for political purposes, as I believe the governor is doing, I think it's a fair game to take a look at it," the Elmira Republican just told reporters. "I think the Assembly should take a look at it. This type of behavior, I think, is intolerable." Under the... Politics 2009 Senate Coup David Paterson Governor Lieutenant Governor Ravitch Local state assembly Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:57:00 -0400 http://www.observer.com/2009/politics/winner-we-should-look-impeaching-paterson http://www.observer.com/2009/politics/why-ravitch-helps-paterson-more-settlement ALBANY—Democrats in the State Senate just said they will use David Paterson's appointment of Dick Ravitch as lieutenant governor to start passing legislation, a move which will add new layers of controversy to a leadership struggle that, given the increasingly complicated legal picture, isn't getting any closer to a resolution. "I can tell the 19.5 million people: We are free, out of bondage. We're not going to be held hostage anymore," Senator John Sampson said... Politics 2009 Senate Coup David Paterson Dean Skelos Governor Jeff Klein John Sampson Lieutenant Governor Ravitch Local Richard Ravitch Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:12:00 -0400 http://www.observer.com/2009/politics/why-ravitch-helps-paterson-more-settlement http://www.observer.com/2009/politics/ravitch-restrained ALBANY—Here's a court order restraining Richard Ravitch, named last night by David Paterson, from performing the duties of lieutenant governor.The order was signed by Judge Ute Wolfe Lally at 12:23 a.m. after a petition from the leaders of the Republican-dominated State Senate coalition, Pedro Espada Jr. and Dean Skelos.The order is in effect until the case can be heard in Nassau County Supreme... Politics David Paterson Governor Lieutenant Governor Ravitch Local Richard Ravitch Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:03:00 -0400 http://www.observer.com/2009/politics/ravitch-restrained http://www.observer.com/2009/politics/paterson-robo-campaigns-ravitch-appointment Here's the script of a robocall from David Paterson that went out last night: "Tonight, I announced the appointment of Richard Ravitch as Lieutenant Governor. I have used my authority and taken this step in order to get the State Senate working again. My priorities are clear: we must create good, new jobs; make health insurance affordable and secure; and provide property tax relief. But this work has been sidelined by chaos in the Senate. Together with Lt. Gov. Ravitch, I am... Politics David Paterson Governor Lieutenant Governor Ravitch Richard Ravitch Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:02:00 -0400 http://www.observer.com/2009/politics/paterson-robo-campaigns-ravitch-appointment