Long wait for new lieutenant governor
As if not knowing when he'll become governor wasn't making it difficult enough to plan for Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert's inauguration, there's also the question of when his No. 2 will take office.
The same new constitutional amendment that will force Herbert to run next year for the remainder of Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s term requires that Herbert's pick for lieutenant governor be confirmed by the state Senate.
That means it could be weeks after Huntsman resigns to become U.S. ambassador to China and Herbert is sworn in to replace him before the state officially has a new lieutenant governor.
"The sooner the better," said Joe Demma, Herbert's chief of staff, noting that in Utah, the lieutenant governor also fills the role of secretary of state. "We can't afford too big a delay."
Huntsman, who has already turned over his public duties to Herbert, has said he'll step down once the U.S. Senate confirms his nomination as ambassador to China. That could happen before Congress recesses in August.
Herbert is staying busy sorting through the many candidates for his lieutenant governor who have surfaced since President Barack Obama announced Huntsman's nomination in mid-May. It has not been decided when Herbert will make his pick public, Demma said.
And it's not clear when that person would take office, because of a new constitutional amendment on succession, passed by voters last year to clear up questions raised when former Gov. Mike Leavitt stepped down in 2003 to take a cabinet post under President George W. Bush.
Leavitt made his resignation official at the inauguration of his successor, Olene Walker. At the same ceremony, Gayle McKeachnie was sworn in as Walker's lieutenant governor.
Attorneys for the Legislature say Herbert can't nominate someone to take his place until he's been sworn in as governor. He would then have to call the state Senate into a special session to consider the nomination.
How long would it take the state Senate to act? That depends on whether senators hold a confirmation hearing on the nominee before they vote, as they do for judges and other gubernatorial appointments.
"The replacement for the lieutenant-governor slot needs to have some sort of process where this person is vetted. It won't have been through an election," said Sen. Steve Urquhart, R-St. George, who sponsored the constitutional amendment.
Senate Majority Leader Sheldon Killpack, R-Syracuse, said holding a confirmation hearing is important. "You're dealing with a pretty significant office. If anything were to happen to the governor, you'd be dealing with your next governor," he said.
Recent comments
Holly Richardson would do a good job as Lt. Gov.
lets see.... | July 10, 2009 at 2:07 a.m.
Herbert is just going to do what the Legislature tells him to do...
Sam | July 9, 2009 at 4:04 p.m.
I think Herbert's biggest challenge is going to be finding someone...
In my opinion... | July 9, 2009 at 2:36 p.m.
- Senate to confront abortion in debate 9:10 a.m.
- EPA: Greenhouse gases harmful 9:08 a.m.
- 'Openness' workshop closed to public 9:00 a.m.
- Thousands protest in Iran 8:47 a.m.
- Stocks push higher as dollar rises 8:41 a.m.
- Messy Monday morning commute 8:22 a.m.
- U.N. climate conference opens 7:55 a.m.
- Blast outside Iraqi school kills 8 7:53 a.m.
- Today on TV 12:49 a.m.
- Wanted: Bank robber with bad breath 12:40 a.m.
- BYU and Utah's bowl games
- BYU professor remembered
- Cougars going back to Vegas
- Y., U. to learn bowl destinations
- TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
- Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil
- The forgotten ship: USS Utah
- Utes excited to go to San Diego
- Bring the true spirit of Christmas
- Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
- Letters: Liberal because LDS
259 - Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
220 - Hate not limited to 1 in-state rivalry
189 - Aggies shoot past Cougars
179 - TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
141 - N.Y. Senate rejects gay marriage
131 - George lost in rivalry hatefest
114 - Ed Smart 'appalled' at testimony
98 - Harpring's NBA career is over
95 - Cougars going back to Vegas
91
Trolley Square's annual Holiday Open House will feature visits with...
That does it — I'm having an affair! Thanks to Tiger Woods, David...
First, a big thank you to all who posted questions here for me to ask...
Health Care Reform? Yes, but not this lousy ill conceived bill. I hope...
No way was the BCS going to allow another 'Utah beatdown of Bama'. Putting 2...
Don't assume that, because I'm not an Obama partisan that I support any...
The problem with the Pickens Plan is that it relies heavily on government...
Gazelle, I may miss the game tonight unfortunately not by choice but I will...
Notice they don't use "Global Warming" much more, they say "climate...
Hang in there, Republicans, unless/until "Brother" Reid can explain how he's...
I hate the utes. Always have, always will. Their streak ends this year....
Evidently the AP writer doesn't pay attention to the news. A cache of emails...
I have a Christmas plate that has been sitting ON TOP of our cupboards for...


