Richard Ravitch | The New York Observer

Paterson: Our New Target is $3.2 Billion

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:42:01 -0400

ALBANY—The mid-year budget deficit has now grown to $3.2 billion, and an estimated $6.8 billion next year, David Paterson said at a leaders meeting.

"We now have a $10 billion budget deficit. The plan that I issued just two weeks ago reduces that deficit by half," Paterson said. "In this period of time, I recognize the need for deliberation and also the legislative prerogative hold hearings to exact public input. And I have tried...

Ravitch to Washington

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:07:33 -0400

ALBANY—Richard Ravitch is going to Washington tomorrow.

The lieutenant governor announced his trip during a meeting of legislative leaders this morning, called to hash out positions on David Paterson's proposal for a $3 billion deficit elimination package.

Ravitch said he would meet with members of the state's congressional delegation; he is not planning to meet with any White House officials.

"A lot of questions about this year and subsequent years are going to be...

The Asset David Paterson Can't Wait to Deploy

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:19:00 -0400

ALBANY--David Paterson named Richard Ravitch his lieutenant governor to solve a leadership dispute in the State Senate. But he’s hoping for a lot more. “The lieutenant governor, like a vice president, is an extension of the governor,” Mr. Paterson told the Observer. “I would think that because of his acumen on subjects and his well-tested decision-making capacity that he might direct some policy and even some action, but it will always be understood by he...

Why Ravitch Helps Paterson More Than a Settlement

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:12:00 -0400

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...

Ravitch Restrained

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:03:00 -0400

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...

Paterson Robo-Campaigns on the Ravitch Appointment

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:02:00 -0400

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...