World | USA
New NY governor sworn in
New York State's new governor David Paterson was sworn in, pledging to work with lawmakers to pass a budget and restore trust in the government.
- Agencies
- Published: 09:38 March 18, 2008
New York: New York State's new governor David Paterson was sworn in, pledging to work with lawmakers to pass a budget and restore trust in the government.
The Harlem Democrat, who is the state's first black - and nation's first legally blind – governor, took the top job in the wake of the sex scandal that brought down Eliot Spitzer.
Paterson takes office facing a budget gap of as much as $5.1 billion that he is trying to close before the new fiscal year begins April 1 to avoid emergency spending measures.
“There is trust that needs to be restored, there are issues that need to be addressed,'' Paterson said. “I stand ready and able to lead this state to a better tomorrow.''
Stunning revelation
Meanwhile, both Gov. Paterson, 53, and his wife, Michelle Paige Paterson, 46, acknowledged in a joint interview they each had extramarital affairs during a rocky period in their 15-year marriage.
Speaking to the Daily News shortly after Paterson's swearing-in ceremony, the couple discussed his affair with "a woman other than my wife" from 1999 until 2001.
"Like most marriages, you go through certain difficult periods," Paige told the Daily News. "What's important is for your kids to see you worked them out."
The Patersons agreed to speak publicly about their marriage in response to rumors about Paterson's personal life that have been swirling in the Capitol since Spitzer resigned last Wednesday.
Several political experts said they doubted the Patersons' infidelity would oust the new governor because it had ended and didn't involve law-breaking.
Share this article
News Editor's choice
-
Daughters: Book on Sadat 'one-sided'
Pictorial collection excludes children from first wife
-
Over 6,000 Haj pilgrims to get vaccines
H1N1 and meningitis jabs compulsory for those going to Makkah in Saudi Arabia
-
Abu Dhabi residential city on track
Abu Dhabi Municipality says Dh651m infrastructure project to be completed
