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A few weeks ago, I outlined the powers and duties of the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, who is the presiding office in the House. This week I would like to discuss a position that is similar in many ways, but also has some major differences: the Lieutenant Governor. The Lieutenant Governor is the presiding officer of the Senate; but unlike the House Speaker, who is elected by his peers in the House of Representatives, the Lieutenant Governor is elected by a statewide popular vote. The Lieutenant Governor is also unique in that he is part of both the Executive and Legislative branches. As in most states, the Lieutenant Governor in Texas assumes the powers and duties of the Governor when the Governor is unable to serve or is absent from the state. But in Texas, the Lieutenant Governor is elected separately from the Governor, and each can be members of different political parties. As in the House of Representatives, the Senate's rules allow the Lieutenant Governor to decide all parliamentary questions and use his discretion in following Senate procedural rules. He can set up standing and special committees and appoint committee chairpersons and individual members. The Lieutenant Governor is required to sign all bills and resolutions passed by the Senate. The Constitution also names him to the five-member Legislative Redistricting Board which apportions the state into senatorial and representative districts in the event the Legislature is unable to do so. The Legislative Redistricting Board was used a few years ago and drew the maps under which our current state House and Senate districts are divided.The Lieutenant Governor is a member of several Legislative branch boards and committees: the Legislative Budget Board, the Legislative Council, the Legislative Audit Committee and the Legislative Education Board. He is designated as Chair of the Legislative Budget Board and Legislative Council, which have considerable sway over state programs, the budget and policy. Our current Lieutenant Governor is David Dewhurst. Prior to his election as Lieutenant Governor, he served as Texas Land Commissioner. A native Texan, veteran, successful businessman and rancher, Dewhurst was appointed by Governor Rick Perry to chair the Governor's Task Force on Homeland Security in the aftermath of the tragic events of September 11, 2001.Please feel free to contact me if I may be of assistance regarding any matter of state government. You can contact me by writing to P.O. Box 2910, Austin, TX 78768-2910 or by e-mailing me at larry.phillips@house.state.tx.us.
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