This proposal has been mentioned favorably over the years by a number of journalists, me included. But, why now?, Republicans are likely to ask, about a proposed constitutional amendment sponsored by Rep. Keith Ingram and Sen. Robert Thompson to abolish the offices of lieutenant governor and land commissioner. The president pro tempore of the Senate would succeed the governor should the office be vacant. The General Assembly would take over providing for land commissioner functions.

This would be a money saver and eliminate jobs of limited usefulness. But, yes, Republicans were elected to those jobs this year and I’m guess money- and efficiency-minded Republicans will forget those qualities in favor of partisan considerations when the discussion on choosing amendments is held.

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UPDATE: Sen. Thompson notes he has another version of this idea here. It would combine lt. gov. with secretary of state and meld the offices of treasurer and auditor. He comments:

We’re sensitive to the potential argument that these are introduced for partisan reasons. That’s why the consolidation or elimination of offices is phased in to coincide with the date that the current holder of the office is term-limited.

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