SENATE GOP BLOCKS TOUGHER LT. GOV. APPOINTMENT PROPOSAL

HARRISBURG, April 8, 2008 – In a 29 to 21 party line vote, the state Senate voted down State Sen. Jay Costa’s (D-Allegheny) amendment that would have required two-thirds Senate approval of any future appointment to the office of Lieutenant Governor.

In a Senate Floor debate, Costa argued that the confirmation standard for the office of Lieutenant Governor should be as rigid as the two-thirds vote requirement for other statewide offices such as Attorney General, Auditor General, Treasurer, and members of the Liquor Control and Turnpike Commission.

“The Lieutenant Governor is one heartbeat away from being Governor,” Costa said. “It’s an important office that is accountable to all Pennsylvanians.

“Under the current bill language, a simple majority confirmation vote is all that is needed,” Costa said. “Currently, a member of a County Board of Assistance has the same confirmation standard as Lieutenant Governor, and I strongly believe that the office of Lieutenant Governor warrants more accountability.”

The Costa amendment was proposed to Senate Bill 822, which would clarify the succession line to the office of governor.

“My amendment would have assured all citizens that the person we confirm to the Lieutenant Governor’s office has a depth of support from both parties and is able to build bridges and forge consensus among all senators,” Costa said.

The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration. Costa said he would urge his House colleagues to insert the two-thirds voting requirement.
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