Statement from Assemblyman Robin Schimminger

August 20, 2009

Assemblyman Robin Schimminger issued the following statement regarding the appellate court ruling in the suit challenging Governor David Paterson’s appointment of Richard Ravitch as lieutenant governor:

Today’s appellate court ruling that neither the New York State Constitution nor state law allows the office of lieutenant governor to be filled by any other means than an election reinforces the importance of making explicit provision for filling vacancies in that office. I have proposed a constitutional amendment (A.2845) that would provide clear authority for such a vacancy to be filled by a person nominated by the governor and confirmed by the Legislature. Recent events strongly support the value of creating a constitutional framework for filling vacancies in the lieutenant governor’s office, and we should put it in place before the next constitutional crisis occurs.

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