NJ DUers: Lt. Governor.....

[PfNJ]

I haven't seen a discussion on this yet, so.....

NJ absolutely needs one. We've had two Acting Governors/Senate Presidents in each of the last two gubernatorial terms. I don't think the bill that just passed the State Assembly is sufficient, never mind the fact that it won't pass through the Senate, since it would have the party nominee select a "running mate", I believe the position should be an independent elected office, (I also believe the Attorney General should be an elected office, but that's another story) even if it means you could end up with a Governor and Lt. Governor of different parties, which could also happen under the current system, if the State Senate is controlled by the party other than the Governor's. The State Senate will never allow it, though, they have a vested interest in protecting their "turf". Their weak counter-proposal will be to have the Acting Governor resign his post as Senate President, which might be seen as a start, but would actually pretty much kill any chance at creating the Lt. Gov position anytime soon, and it would also not change the fact that the most powerful Governor in the nation was not elected by the people of the state, only by a simple majority of voters in his/her district.

Any thoughts?

[mcscajun]

1. What they really want is no competition...

...from the supposed vantage point of an incumbent lieutenant governor; that's why the NJ legislature doesn't want one. I'm from NY originally and we have always had Lt. Governors. I don't recall them ever becoming governors or having any particular power; perhaps someone will correct me. Of course, in NY State we also had (and I hear still have) one of the most useless state legislatures in the country.

So, here in NJ, they'll be happy to throw us the bone of requiring an acting governor's resignation from the state senate, and for now, I'll be happy if they accomplish that. In fact, I'll be amazed.

We're not the only state with no Lt. Gov, but we are the only one that nullifies the checks and balances when we have an acting governor in place who can still vote in the state senate. Weird constitution we've got here.

[PfNJ]

2. Not only vote in the State Senate.....

but run the f***ing thing! NJ's governor is already the most powerful governor in the nation, there are no other state-wide elected offices in state government, the Senate President/Acting Governor combination almost seems like some sort of King, about the only thing he can't do is declare war on Delaware.....

[Reverend_Smitty]

3. lol

Declare war on Deleware...lol...I hereby claim Rehoboth beach for the state of New Jersey, and what are you going to do about it punk!

[mcscajun]

5. In that case....can we move the state capital...

...from Trenton to Wilmington? It's much nicer and has better restaurants. :bounce: :crazy: :bounce:

[NNadir]

7. We almost declared war on New York over Ellis Island, but the wimps

backed down and gave it to us.

[Osamasux]

8. Ellis Island is a weird one

It's located in NJ (close enough to connect to the mainland with that pier/bridge), but it's actually made of pieces of NY. They took what they dug up while building the NYC subway system, barged it out into the harbor and used it to expand the island.

Both states really only want the sales tax revenue.

[Bemis]

4. Lt. Gov vs. State Senate

The State Senate will not approve a Lt. Gov. position because
they all have that chance (however remote) to become Gov. through the bizarre process we have now. This is something that will have to be
forced upon them. There would be a better chance to pass this
if the Gov. and Senate majority were controlled by different parties.

Anyway, after having to suffer through this antiquated system twice
in the past few years it is time NJ revamped this system.

[jerseygirl]

6. I agree with Bemis

It is all about power - you'll notice that all of the legislation to create the post of Lt. Gov. are coming from the Assembly. Codey's bill on gubernatorial succession merely requires the Senate President, upon becoming governor, to resign from the Senate and assume the title of gov. rather than acting governor.

That said, I fully support the creation of a Lt. Gov. I especially like the proposal being considered that would allow the governor to appoint the lt. gov. as head of a cabinet agency of the gov's choice, so at least the lt. has something to do besides go to ribbon cuttings.

[absolutezero]

9. an idea

If we can actually get the legislature to approve an amendment then here's what I suggest:

Have the Gov and Lt. Gov run as a ticket (like Prez and VP)

Have the Lt. Gov serve as the President of the Senate (Like the VP)

If the Governor resigns then we have a run-off election for Lt. Gov while one of the state senators acts as Senate Prez

[Hippo_Tron]

10. Out of curiosity why should Lt. Governor act as Senate President?

Doesn't it work better if legislatures pick their own leaders? The only reasoning I see for making the VP president of the senate on the national level is that there is always going to be an even number of senators with two from each state.