Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi: Difference between revisions
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== History == |
== History == |
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The office of lieutenant governor of Mississippi was established by the state's 1817 constitution{{sfn|Winkle|2014|pp=9, 94}} and it and the governorship were the only popularly-elected statewide positions at the time.{{sfn|Krane|Shaffer|1992|p=44}} The first lieutenant governor was [[Duncan Stewart (Mississippi politician)|Duncan Stewart]], who took office on October 7, 1817.{{sfn|Rowland|1904|pp=124, 138}} The role was eliminated in the 1832 constitution and reintroduced in the 1869 constitution.{{sfn|Winkle|2014|pp=9, 11}} [[Brad Dye]], who held the office over three terms from 1980 to 1992, was the state's longest-serving lieutenant governor.<ref name= harrison>{{cite web| last = Harrison| first = Bobby| title = Brad Dye did not view office of lieutenant governor as stepping stone| website = Mississippi Today| date = July 5, 2018| url = https://mississippitoday.org/2018/07/05/brad-dye-did-not-view-office-of-lieutenant-governor-as-stepping-stone/|publisher= Nonprofit Mississippi News| access-date = May 31, 2022}}</ref> Unlike previous holders of the office, he used his appointment power in the Mississippi Senate to strategically place his allies on committees to advance his own political goals.{{sfn|Krane|Shaffer|1992|p=120}} In 1992 the constitution was amended to limit the office holder to serving two consecutive terms.{{sfn|Winkle|2014|p=94}} |
The office of lieutenant governor of Mississippi was established by the state's 1817 constitution{{sfn|Winkle|2014|pp=9, 94}} and it and the governorship were the only popularly-elected statewide positions at the time.{{sfn|Krane|Shaffer|1992|p=44}} The first lieutenant governor was [[Duncan Stewart (Mississippi politician)|Duncan Stewart]], who took office on October 7, 1817.{{sfn|Rowland|1904|pp=124, 138}} The role was eliminated in the 1832 constitution and reintroduced in the 1869 constitution.{{sfn|Winkle|2014|pp=9, 11}} During the Reconstruction era in the early 1870s, [[Alexander Kelso Davis]], served as one of the first black lieutenant governors in the country.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://mshistorynow.mdah.ms.gov/issue/first-black-legislators-mississippi| title = The First Black Legislators in Mississippi| last = Baldwin| first = DeeDee| date = July 2022| website = Mississippi History Now| publisher = Mississippi Department of Archives and History| access-date = March 13, 2023}}</ref> [[Brad Dye]], who held the office over three terms from 1980 to 1992, was the state's longest-serving lieutenant governor.<ref name= harrison>{{cite web| last = Harrison| first = Bobby| title = Brad Dye did not view office of lieutenant governor as stepping stone| website = Mississippi Today| date = July 5, 2018| url = https://mississippitoday.org/2018/07/05/brad-dye-did-not-view-office-of-lieutenant-governor-as-stepping-stone/|publisher= Nonprofit Mississippi News| access-date = May 31, 2022}}</ref> Unlike previous holders of the office, he used his appointment power in the Mississippi Senate to strategically place his allies on committees to advance his own political goals.{{sfn|Krane|Shaffer|1992|p=120}} In 1992 the constitution was amended to limit the office holder to serving two consecutive terms.{{sfn|Winkle|2014|p=94}} |
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Following a reduction in the powers of the speaker of the [[Mississippi House of Representatives]] in 1987, a group of senators unsuccessfully attempted to strip the lieutenant governor of their power to appoint committees and refer bills to them.{{sfn|Krane|Shaffer|1992|pp= 120, 328}} In the early 1990s, the [[Mississippi Supreme Court]] ruled that the Senate could award significant legislative powers to the officer at its wish. Following the assumption of office of Republican [[Phil Bryant]] in 2007, several Democrats in the Senate considered restricting his position's powers, but ultimately did not follow through on their proposals.<ref name= harrison2/> |
Following a reduction in the powers of the speaker of the [[Mississippi House of Representatives]] in 1987, a group of senators unsuccessfully attempted to strip the lieutenant governor of their power to appoint committees and refer bills to them.{{sfn|Krane|Shaffer|1992|pp= 120, 328}} In the early 1990s, the [[Mississippi Supreme Court]] ruled that the Senate could award significant legislative powers to the officer at its wish. Following the assumption of office of Republican [[Phil Bryant]] in 2007, several Democrats in the Senate considered restricting his position's powers, but ultimately did not follow through on their proposals.<ref name= harrison2/> |
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Revision as of 21:51, 13 March 2023
| Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi | |
|---|---|
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| Typ | Lieutenant Governor |
| Term length | Four years Two terms |
| Salary | $60,000 |
| Website | www |
The lieutenant governor of Mississippi is the second-highest ranking executive officer in Mississippi, below the governor of Mississippi. The office of lieutenant governor was established when Mississippi became a state, abolished for a few decades in the first half of the 19th century, and restored later in the century.
The lieutenant governor is the president of the Mississippi State Senate and presides over that body, only voting to break a tie. Compared to the lieutenant governors in other states, Mississippi's has a great deal of power in the state senate. The lieutenant governor has the sole ability to appoint members, vice-chairmen, and chairmen to the various Senate committees, regardless of each party's strength in the chamber. Given that power, it is argued[by whom?] that the office is more powerful than the governorship.
There is a two-term limit, with each term being four years long. In the event of the death, resignation, or removal of the governor, the lieutenant governor assumes the higher office. Also, if the governor is out of state, then the lieutenant governor can act in the governor's place.
History
The office of lieutenant governor of Mississippi was established by the state's 1817 constitution[1] and it and the governorship were the only popularly-elected statewide positions at the time.[2] The first lieutenant governor was Duncan Stewart, who took office on October 7, 1817.[3] The role was eliminated in the 1832 constitution and reintroduced in the 1869 constitution.[4] During the Reconstruction era in the early 1870s, Alexander Kelso Davis, served as one of the first black lieutenant governors in the country.[5] Brad Dye, who held the office over three terms from 1980 to 1992, was the state's longest-serving lieutenant governor.[6] Unlike previous holders of the office, he used his appointment power in the Mississippi Senate to strategically place his allies on committees to advance his own political goals.[7] In 1992 the constitution was amended to limit the office holder to serving two consecutive terms.[8]
Following a reduction in the powers of the speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives in 1987, a group of senators unsuccessfully attempted to strip the lieutenant governor of their power to appoint committees and refer bills to them.[9] In the early 1990s, the Mississippi Supreme Court ruled that the Senate could award significant legislative powers to the officer at its wish. Following the assumption of office of Republican Phil Bryant in 2007, several Democrats in the Senate considered restricting his position's powers, but ultimately did not follow through on their proposals.[10]
Election
Like the seats in the Mississippi State Legislature and the other seven statewide-elected offices, the Mississippi lieutenant governor is popularly elected every four years in the November preceding a United States presidential election year.[11] The lieutenant governor is elected independently of the governor[12] and candidates' qualifications for the former office are the same as for the latter.[13] They serve a four-year term[14] and are limited to serving two consecutive terms in office, with no limits on nonconsecutive terms.[13]
Powers, duties, and structure
Political scientists often describe Mississippi's lieutenant governor as one of the most powerful such officers in the country.[12] The lieutenant governor is the only official in Mississippi to be a member of two branches of state government;[8] the Mississippi Supreme Court has ruled this state of affairs an exception to Mississippi's general separation of powers doctrine.[15] They are constitutionally ex officio President of the Senate, while Senate empowers the lieutenant governor through its rules to determine the composition of its committees and refer bills to them.[16][10] Historically, the lieutenant governor has determined the composition of all Senate committees except the Rules Committee.[17] As the Mississippi Senate has no seniority system, lieutenant governors are relatively unrestricted in appointing committees that suit their personal policy preferences.[12]
The constitution empowers the lieutenant governor to participate in legislative debates and to cast tie-breaking votes both in the Senate and in joint resolutions of both houses of the State Legislature.[18][19] As presiding officer in the Senate, they rule on points of order, sign all passed bills,[20] and are entitled to serve on the Joint Legislative Budget Committee.[8] They are also empowered to appoint two of the members of the Mississippi Board of Education.[21] In the event the incumbent governor of Mississippi dies, is incapacitated, or leaves the state, the lieutenant governor assumes their responsibilities as acting governor.[13] In the event the lieutenant governor is unavailable in the State Senate, the body's president pro tempore assumes their responsibilities there.[22]
The lieutenant governor is constitutionally required to collect the same compensation as the speaker of the House.[18] Their salary is $60,000 per year, but is set to increase to $85,000 annually in 2024.[23] They maintain an office on the third floor of the Mississippi State Capitol.[24]
Lieutenant Governors and Presidents of the Senate
- Parties
No party Democratic Republican
Lieutenant governors (1817–1832)
| Image | Lt. Governor | Term | Party |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duncan Stewart | 1817–1820 | ||
| James Patton | 1820–1822 | ||
| David Dickson | 1822–1824 | ||
|
Gerard C. Brandon | 1824–1826* | |
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|
Abram M. Scott | 1828–1832 | Democrat |
| Fountain Winston | 1832–1832 |
Presidents of the Senate
The Office of Lieutenant Governor was abolished by the Constitution of 1832, and the duties of President of the Senate were incorporated into a separate office.
| Image | Senate President | Term | Party |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Charles Lynch | 1833–1834 | Democrat |
| P. Briscoe | 1834–1836 | ||
| W. Van Norman | 1836–1837 | ||
|
Alexander G. McNutt | 1837–1838 | Democrat |
|
A. L. Bingaman | 1838–1840 | |
| G. B. Augustus | 1840–1842 | ||
|
Jesse Speight | 1842–1843 | |
| A. Fox | 1843–1844 | ||
| Jesse Speight | 1844–1846 | ||
| G. T. Swan | 1846–1848 | ||
| Dabney Lipscomb | 1848–1850 | ||
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|
John Isaac Guion | 1850-1851 | Democrat |
|
James Whitfield | 1852–1854 | Democrat |
|
John J. Pettus | 1854–1858 | Democrat |
| James Drane | 1858–1865 | ||
| John M. Simonton | 1865–1869 |
Lieutenant governors (1870–present)
The Constitution of 1868 re-established the Office of Lieutenant Governor. This office also re-assumed the duties of President of the Senate.
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1. Amy Tuck switched to the Republican Party in December 2002.
References
- ^ Winkle 2014, pp. 9, 94.
- ^ Krane & Shaffer 1992, p. 44.
- ^ Rowland 1904, pp. 124, 138.
- ^ Winkle 2014, pp. 9, 11.
- ^ Baldwin, DeeDee (July 2022). "The First Black Legislators in Mississippi". Mississippi History Now. Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
- ^ Harrison, Bobby (July 5, 2018). "Brad Dye did not view office of lieutenant governor as stepping stone". Mississippi Today. Nonprofit Mississippi News. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
- ^ Krane & Shaffer 1992, p. 120.
- ^ a b c Winkle 2014, p. 94.
- ^ Krane & Shaffer 1992, pp. 120, 328.
- ^ a b Harrison, Bobby (April 7, 2019). "Lieutenant governor's power derives from senators; lawmaker says chamber must take back its authority". Mississippi Today. Nonprofit Mississippi News. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
- ^ Bullock & Rozell 2010, p. 104.
- ^ a b c Wilson, Brian (July 11, 2017). "Offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor". Mississippi Encyclopedia. Center for Study of Southern Culture. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
- ^ a b c Winkle 2014, pp. 93–94.
- ^ Mississippi Official and Statistical Register 2017, p. 80.
- ^ Winkle 2014, p. 29.
- ^ Winkle 2014, pp. 29, 94.
- ^ Krane & Shaffer 1992, p. 119.
- ^ a b Winkle 2014, p. 93.
- ^ Mississippi Office of Lt. Governor Statutory Duties (PDF), National Lieutenant Governors Association, September 13, 2016
- ^ Mississippi Official and Statistical Register 2017, pp. 79–80.
- ^ Winkle 2014, pp. 126–127.
- ^ Winkle 2014, p. 61.
- ^ Pender, Geoff (April 7, 2022). "Amid vetoes, Gov. Reeves lets pay raises for elected officials pass". Mississippi Today. Nonprofit Mississippi News. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
- ^ Mississippi Official and Statistical Register 2017, p. 742.
Works cited
- Bullock, Charles S.; Rozell, Mark J., eds. (2010). The New Politics of the Old South: An Introduction to Southern Politics. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 9780742570214.
- Krane, Dale; Shaffer, Stephen D. (1992). Mississippi Government and Politics: Modernizers Versus Traditionalists. University of Nebraska Press. ISBN 9780803277588.
- Mississippi Official and Statistical Register 2016–2020. Jackson: Mississippi Secretary of State. 2017. OCLC 1045214160.
- Rowland, Dunbar, ed. (1904). The Official and Statistical Register of the State of Mississippi. Jackson: Mississippi Department of Archives and History. OCLC 777030828.
- Winkle, John W. III (2014). The Mississippi State Constitution (second ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199300631.
External links
Media related to Lieutenant Governors of Mississippi at Wikimedia Commons
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