NY’s Paterson declares he has the authority to govern and will serve out his term

Paterson declares he’ll use authority to govern

NEW YORK — New York Gov. David Paterson says he still has the authority to govern and says that’s what he’ll do, despite calls for his resignation amid a state police scandal.

Paterson said again at a forum Monday morning in New York City that he’ll serve the last 300 or so days of his term. Last week he called off his campaign for a full term.

Paterson says he ended the campaign to avoid constant questioning about whether his actions are intended to raise his poll numbers. He noted that some Democrats who called for his resignation last week have reconsidered.

State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is investigating whether Paterson and his state police security detail illegally contacted a woman about an alleged domestic disturbance involving one of the governor’s top aides.