Court of Appeals will expedite lieutenant governor case

PHOTOGRAPHER: The Associated Press

New York’s top court has agreed to expedite Gov. David Paterson’s appeal of lower court rulings that found his appointment of a lieutenant governor unconstitutional.

The Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments Sept. 11 and has ordered legal briefs in advance from lawyers for Paterson and the Republican senators who challenged his appointment of Richard Ravitch as the state’s number two executive.

An Appellate Division panel concluded last week that no state law or constitutional provision allows the lieutenant governor’s post to be filled by anything but an election.

Normally it takes about seven months to bring oral arguments before the top court’s seven judges. Paterson requested expedited consideration Monday and the court agreed today.