July 8, 2009  

   New York attorney general Andrew Cuomo says Governor David Paterson's appointment of Richard Ravitch as lieutenant governor is unconstitutional.
     But some wonder if this is just a move to get warring senators to stick to their deadline of working out a power sharing agreement.
     Senate leaders have said they're using two proposals to hammer out a deal by Thursday.
     “If both sides agree -- and I looked at the two proposals, and it doesn't seem they're that far apart -- in terms of how they would govern, or share power in the chamber. If they come to an agreement and do that, perhaps Paterson can withdraw his challenge to Cuomo's opinion,” said Elmira College political science professor Jim Twombly.
     If Paterson doesn't withdraw his appointment, Twombly fears the power struggle will drag on in the courts.

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