Oh Those Wacky State Constitutions

[jpmassar]

In New York State, Hiram Monserrate was expelled from the Senate, having been convicted of a misdemeanor involving the physical abuse of his girlfriend. The problem is that unlike the US Constitution and Congress, the New York State Constitution has no provision that allows the houses of the legislature to judge the qualifications of its own

Comments

[kalimac]

And, of course, since filling the Lt Gov vacancy for the short remaining term is not of overwhelming importance, the real question at dispute is whether Abel gets to run later this year for the full term as an incumbent or not.

Some people wonder whether we really need a Lt Gov position at all. And indeed most of the time it serves little function. But states find out what they need a Lt Gov for if they don't have one, and the governorship falls vacant and into the hands of a state legislator chosen for some otherwise obscure ex officio position on some totally irrelevant basis (like the president pro tem of the U.S. Senate). Just ask New Jersey, which after a couple painful experiences elected its first-ever Lt Gov last year.

[jpmassar]

As long as you have a line of succession, you don't much need a Lt. Governor. The AG or SoS could be next in line.

Having a LG makes more sense if they are elected jointly, as the President / Vice President are. You'd of thunk all states would have learned from the US's initial mistake, but no, California and I assume a number of other states still elect the LG separately.

[barking_iguana]

Weirder are the states that elect them together but nominate them separately, making for antagonistic tickets.

[kalimac]

Electing Gov and LtGov separately does make for some odd Adams/Jefferson-like combinations, yes. Anyone who's been in California long enough should remember the "Curb Your Governor" campaign.

Designating another executive officer to replace the governor works in some jurisdictions better than others. In some states, AG (and possibly SoS too) are appointed officers, not elected ones. In that case, a designated succession probably wouldn't go over politically. And then, if the other officer does replace the governor, there's the problem of how to replace that officer.

Appropriately enough, it's worth remembering that California's LtGov vacancy is due to the incumbent having been elected to Congress, filling a vacancy caused by a federal administrative appointment.

[adb_jaeger]

Speaking of wacky state politics, it's been more than six months since Mass. changed its rules for replacing a Senator.

Shouldn't they be doing that again, right about now, you know, just for giggles?

[jpmassar]

I wonder if the Dem members of the Massachusetts Legislature send daily hate mail to Harry Reid?

[adb_jaeger]

I wonder if the Dem members of the Massachusetts Legislature send daily hate mail to Harry Reid?

GMAFB.

What Democrat *doesn't* send daily hate mail to Harry Reid, the most spineless, ineffective leader ever?