By Howard Fischer | Capitol Media Services
Saying Arizona needs a better method of gubernatorial succession, a House panel voted on Jan. 28 to ask voters to create the position of lieutenant governor.
Rep. J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler, wants to scrap the current system where the secretary of state, elected separately from the governor, becomes the state’s chief executive when the top person dies, quits or is thrown out of office.
The idea is not new. In fact, voters rejected a similar idea in 2010.
Mesnard insisted, though, this one is better because it actually would give the lieutenant governor something to do: head the state Department of Administration.
