Proposal Would Eliminate Lt. Governor's Office In PA

HARRISBURG, PA — The office of the lieutenant governor in Pennsylvania may soon be a thing of the past, as lawmakers are once again pushing a measure that would abolish the position. The potential move would not be without political ramifications, as the office, which will be held by a Democrat for the foreseeable future, would see its key duties replaced by Republican officials.

But proposed legislation cites it as a much needed cost-cutting measure, and supporters say the duties carried out by the lieutenant governor could be easily handled by others.

"Eliminating the office of the lieutenant governor will allow the Commonwealth to realize significant annual savings," State Rep. Dawn W. Keefer (R-92) wrote in a co-sponsorship memorandum. "In the current economic climate, it is prudent to make state government as efficient as possible, which includes cutting unnecessary expenses."

The bill has been proposed for several consecutive legislative sessions, but has never been approved into law.

It's not clear what the precise cost-savings of the proposed bill would be for the state.

Perhaps the most visible duty of the lieutenant governor is as president of the state senate, who can break a tie if the body votes evenly on an issue. The proposed legislation would have the President Pro-Tempore of the Senate, Republican State Sen. Kim Ward, take on those duties.

Incoming Democratic Lt. Gov Josh Davis would hold the position through the next election cycle following his and Governor-elect Josh Shapiro's victory during the midterm election. Republicans hold a 27-22 majority in the Senate, so a tie-breaking vote would seem unlikely, though Davis could still position himself as a visible leader of a body that finds itself astride the most liberal state House in a decade.

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Other duties of the lieutenant governor include chairing the state's Board of Pardons. While considered by some to be a minor duty, outgoing Lt. Gov. John Fetterman used the positon to advocate aggressively for clemency of certain felons, helping to crystallize his reputation as a criminal justice reformer and to build the resume that would get him elected to the U.S. Senate.

Of course, the lieutenant governor, like the U.S. Vice President, also replaces the governor if the governor departs, dies, or is unable to fulfill their duties. Lt. Gov. Mark Schweiker became the governor of Pennsylvania in this manner in 2001, when then Gov. Tom Ridge was called by President George W. Bush to head up the new Department of Homeland Security when it was first created after 9/11.

If this bill ever passed and the Democrat Shapiro vacated office for any reason, the Republican Ward would become governor. Needless to say, it's doubtful to receive significant bipartisan support.

Keefer argued there was precedent to replacing the lieutenant governor's duties, as the office was "vacated and filled without incident" by the President Pro-Tempore in the past.

Arizona, New Hampshire, and Oregon are the only three states in the country that do not have the position.

The proposal was most recently introduced as House Bill 620 in the 2021-22 legislative session, but it did not advance.