NEW YORK, NY July 09, 2009 —Governor Paterson says he's appointed former M.T.A. Chairman Richard Ravitch as Lieutenant Governor. If it holds, the move could break a month-long stalemate that's deadlocked the State Senate since June 8th.

Republicans have already filed a challenge to block the appointment in Nassau County Supreme Court.

But the Governor's Office says Ravitch was sworn in around 8 o'clock last night. They say they're prepared to go to court to fight the court order.

Jimmy Vilekind, NY Observer reporter, has been covering the story for their website Politicker-NY.com and has this update.