Paterson Sworn In as Governor

ALBANY, N.Y. -- David A. Paterson was sworn in Monday as New York's 55th governor in a ceremony during a joint session of the state legislature, Newsday reported.

Paterson, 53, is expected to call for the end of partisan wars and achieve a "good budget" during his inauguration speech, the paper reported.

The 20-minute speech is expected to be an attempt restore faith in state government after last week's shocking revelations that Gov. Eliot Spitzer was involved in a high-end prostitution ring. Spitzer resigned less than 48 hours after reports surfaced that he patronized thousand-dollar-an-hour call girls, the paper reported.

While acknowledging this extraordinary string of events, Paterson will strike a tone of "optimism," emphasizing the need for state leaders "to get back to work," his aide said, adding the occasion wouldn't be used to outline new policy initiatives, the paper reported.

Dignitaries expected to attend include Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Charles Schumer, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, former Governors George Pataki and Hugh Carey, former New York City Mayors Ed Koch and David Dinkins, former Comptroller Carl McCall, U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel, D-Harlem, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell, Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi and the Rev. Al Sharpton, the paper reported.

-- NYSSCPA.org News Staff

Posted on 3/17/08