Judge delays lieutenant governor ruling

(AP) - A judge won't decide until next week at the earliest whether it was legal for New York Gov. David Paterson to appoint a lieutenant governor.
Lawyers for Sens. Pedro Espada of the Bronx and Dean Skelos of Long Island told the judge Friday they needed more time to prepare their arguments. Both sides must submit paperwork early next week.
Arguments will be held Wednesday on Long Island.
On Thursday, a different judge overturned a restraining order obtained by Republicans trying to block Richard Ravitch from taking office as lieutenant governor.
Paterson named Ravitch to provide a tie-breaking vote in the Senate, which was deadlocked until Espada rejoined the Democratic conference Thursday. That restored the slim 32-30 majority Democrats lost in a June 8 coup.