Office of the Lieutenant Governor Robert A. Weygand records (1997-12)

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.