Guide to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor Robert A. Weygand records , 1993-1996

Rhode Island State Archives
Rhode Island State Archives
337 Westminster Street
Providence, RI 02903
Tel: 401-222-2353
Fax: 401-222-3199
email: statearchives@sos.ri.gov

Published in 2009

Collection Overview

Title:	Office of the Lieutenant Governor Robert A. Weygand records
Date range:	1993-1996
Creator:	Weygand, Robert A.
Extent:	1.2 cubic feet other
Abstract:	The records relating to the office of the Lieutenant Governor date from 1993-1996. These records reflect the agenda of the Lieutenant Governor and his position as President of the Senate.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	Rhode Island State Archives
Collection number:	1997-12

Scope & content

The records relating to the office of the Lieutenant Governor date from 1993-1996. These records reflect the agenda of the Lieutenant Governor and his position as President of the Senate. The collection includes the following record series: Subject Files - 1993-1996, Commission Appointment Letters - 1995-1996, Advice and Consent Letters - 1995-1996.

Access Points

Subject Names

Weygand, Robert A.

Subject Organizations

Subject Topics

Document Types

Arrangement

The Office of the Lieutenant Governor Robert A. Weygand records are arranged into the following series:

Series 1. Commission Appointment Letters, 1995-1996
Series 2. Advice and Consent Letters, 1995-1996
Series 3. Subject Files, 1993-1996

Historical note

The position of lieutenant governor was originally called deputy governor (1640-1647, 1663-1799). The lieutenant governor has two constitutional duties. The first is to preside over in the Senate, Grand Committee and in joint assembly and vote in case of a tie. The second duty is prescribed in the State Constitution and reads as follows: "If the office of the governor shall be vacant by reason of death, resignation, impeachment, or inability to serve, the lieutenant governor shall fill the office of the governor". This amendment, approved by the voters in 1992 removed the provision requiring the lieutenant governor to assume the duties of governor when the governor is out of the state. In 1994 voters approved an amendment to the state constitution that would eliminate the duty of the lieutenant governor of breaking a tie vote. This provision will take effect on January 1, 2003. The lieutenant governor campaigns and operates independently of the governor's office. The lieutenant governor has appointment duties to commissions as dictated by statute and in his capacity as the presiding officer of the senate is known as the President of the Senate. The Lieutenant Governor's staff consists of a chief of staff, a director of policy, a director of communications, and an executive assistant. According to the state constitution, the lieutenant governor (and other general officers) shall be elected on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Originally a one-year, then, two-year term, the lieutenant governor is now elected every four years for no more than two consecutive terms (Art. IV, Sec 1). Lieutenant Governor Robert Weygand resigned his office in December 1996, midway through his first four-year term, to accept the position of Congressman from the Second Rhode Island District.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	No special restrictions unless otherwise specified.
Use of the materials:	Copyright is in the public domain unless otherwise specified. We reserve the right to restrict reproduction of materials due to preservation concerns.
Preferred citation:	Office of the Lieutenant Governor Robert A. Weygand records, 1997-12, Rhode Island State Archives.
Contact information:	Rhode Island State Archives Rhode Island State Archives 337 Westminster Street Providence, RI 02903 Tel: 401-222-2353 Fax: 401-222-3199 email: statearchives@sos.ri.gov

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Acquisition:	Transferred from Office of the Lieutenant Governor in 1997.


ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by Kate Telford.
Encoding:	Finding aid encoded by Kate Telford 2009 May 18
Descriptive rules:	Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Inventory

Series 1. Commission Appointment Letters
Informing of appointments to commissions with copies to the following: Elected General Officers (Gov. Lt. Gov., SOS. General Treasurer), Interested parties relative to appointment (e.g. municipal officials), RI Ethics Commission, General Assembly Leadership (House and Senate majority and minority leaders), Legislative Press Bureau, Law Revision Office, Appointed Members to said commission.

Generated by those authorized to make appointments per statute. See above list. List of appointees appears in RI Government Register produced monthly by the office of the Secretary of State. Copies contained therein are those forwarded to the Lieutenant Governor.

Series 2. Advice and Consent Letters
Appointment letters from Governor to Senate informing on appointment and requesting the advice and consent of the senate. May include commission appointments. Copies sometimes to the following: Elected General Officers (Gov. Lt. Gov., SOS, Treasurer), Interested parties relative to appointment (i.e. municipal officials), RI Ethics Commission, General Assembly Leadership (House and Senate majority and minority leaders), Legislative Press Bureau, Law Revision Office, Appointed Members to said commission

Series 3. Subject Files
Reference files relative to commissions per Lieutenant Governor's agenda. Contains memorandum, correspondence to and from Lieutenant Governor, copies of commission appointment letters specific to subject of file, and copies of general laws and public laws as specific to subject of file. CRMC (Coastal Resources Management Council) Correspondence file from Lieutenant Governor Begin era (1989-1992).