Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb Comments On Governor David Paterson’s Appointment Of A Lieutenant Governor

Statement from Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,I,C-Canandaigua)

July 2, 2009

“Governor Paterson’s unilateral naming of a Lieutenant Governor is wholly unconstitutional and will only add to the recent chaos and legislative paralysis that has engulfed the State Senate. The reality is that the Senate needs to do its job and this appointment will needlessly distract and divert attention from it making the types of internal changes necessary to end the deadlock which has stalled the people’s agenda. New York cannot afford a Constitutional crisis, or the costly and time-consuming legal challenges that will assuredly accompany the Governor’s naming of a Lieutenant Governor. On July 6, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo offered his opinion that the Governor does not have the legal authority to make such an appointment. I would strongly urge Governor Paterson to consider these concerns and reconsider his action.”

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