Lawyers for senators Espada, Skelos say they need more time

(AP) - A judge won't decide until next week at theearliest whether it was legal for New York Gov. David Paterson toappoint a lieutenant governor.
Lawyers for Sens. Pedro Espada of the Bronx and Dean Skelos ofLong Island told the judge Friday they needed more time to preparetheir 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 orderobtained by Republicans trying to block Richard Ravitch from takingoffice as lieutenant governor.
Paterson named Ravitch to provide a tie-breaking vote in theSenate, which was deadlocked until Espada rejoined the Democraticconference Thursday. That restored the slim 32-30 majorityDemocrats lost in a June 8 coup.