Can Kansas do without a lieutenant governor?

parkinsonswearingin1Gov. Mark Parkinson said last week that he would defer his selection of a new lieutenant governor until after lawmakers wrap up the session. “One thing I will tell you that will shock you immensely is that, for a short period of time, the state can survive without a lieutenant governor,” he told the Topeka Capital-Journal.
Which raises a question: Why name one at all?
Frustrated lieutenant governors have been known to seek and take other jobs in the government, or leave Topeka entirely. Former Lt. Gov. Shelby Smith has joked about being assigned to stand atop the Capitol and look for approaching glaciers. State law is unclear on a lieutenant governor’s duties, though it specifies that the Senate president should step into his place as needed.
Many private businesses are deciding against replacing all-but-essential employees, at least until the downturn lifts. Couldn’t Kansas get by without a second in command until the next governor’s administration takes over in January 2011?

9 Comments

  1. JWink
    Posted May 5, 2009 at 6:05 am | Permalink

    Of course … we don’t need a lieutenant governor. Just have a line of succession. Most have had other jobs anyway.

  2. American_Way
    Posted May 5, 2009 at 6:52 am | Permalink

    “Many private businesses are deciding against replacing all-but-essential employees,”

    Great idea Rhonda. Perhaps the Eagle could follow suit. Maybe if they fire the second in command from each department, they might move closer to being in the black.

    McClatchy stock might skyrocket to 10 cents a share.

  3. Regular
    Posted May 5, 2009 at 8:03 am | Permalink

    If for some reason Parkinson is no longer able to serve, would the legislature pick a replacement?

    Probably so…

    Then it’s okay, that no lieutenant government is there.

  4. HerbertWestIII
    Posted May 5, 2009 at 8:40 am | Permalink

    K.S.A. 75-125 states, “The Governor ppoints the vacancy”. Then the Senate President functions as Governor, only when the Governor and Lt. Governor are “BOTH” Vacant. K.S.A. 25-4003 demands a Gov and Lt. Gov for election nomination. 75-303 stipulates some Lt. Gov. authorities. 75-301 also describes the Lt. Gov duties. The Legislation is not allowed to do a confirmation process for Governor or Lt. Governor. They can only break a tie or decide the winner if a tie happens in the Genral Election. Do I have to pay 1% of the Lt. Gov as well as the Governor to runfor Office? Do I have too have a running mate? Yes!!! They are abusing the K.S.A.s for personal agenda. There is no “VETO” or checks and balance in place right know. It is all dictated by dictators. Herbert West 3rd, {D}, Candidate for Kansas Governor 2010. HerbertIII at http://www.twitter.com west.herb@yahoo.com Parkinson can be Impeached A.S.A.P.. His tenor started when he excepted Lt. Governor!!!

  5. American_Way
    Posted May 5, 2009 at 9:32 am | Permalink

    Hey Herb!

    Does the law actually say “ppoints”?

  6. American_Way
    Posted May 5, 2009 at 9:38 am | Permalink

    Hey Herb!

    “tenor started when he excepted”

    Instead of “tenor” try using “tenure” if your intended meaning is “time in position of responsibility” vice a “high male voice”.

    Instead of “excepted” try using “accepted” if your intended meaning is “agreed to accept his position” vice his being “exempt from responsibility”.

    That’s just for starters. But I won’t bother reading or responding anymore.

  7. mrcontroversy
    Posted May 5, 2009 at 11:37 am | Permalink

    AmWay:
    “Perhaps the Eagle could follow suit. Maybe if they fire the second in command from each department, they might move closer to being in the black.

    McClatchy stock might skyrocket to 10 cents a share.”

    No, but I can think of a couple of editors I’d like to see gone (not you, Phillip).

  8. ProudMan
    Posted May 5, 2009 at 12:23 pm | Permalink

    How about putting one of the over-priced over-hyped Kansas Coaches as Lt Gov? At least then one of them would start to actually earn a seven-figure salary.

  9. laid_off_ac_worker
    Posted May 5, 2009 at 4:08 pm | Permalink

    There are a number of laid-off aircraft workers looking for a job… Why not hire one of them as they couldn’t do any worse than any other political appointee would…