CHARLESTON - West Virginia could soon have the position of lieutenant governor to help determine gubernatorial succession if the governor needs to leave office before his term is up.
Acting Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin announced Thursday during a press conference he was putting together a group that will work on a proposal to send to the state Legislature for a constitutional amendment calling for the formation of a position of lieutenant governor.
''We are one of the few states where the Senate president takes over for the governor,'' Tomblin said. ''A number of states have a lieutenant governor and that is the direction we need to move West Virginia.''
With the election of former Gov. Joe Manchin to the U.S. Senate and Tomblin, as the state Senate president, becoming acting governor, residents have questioned whether Tomblin should call a special election as soon as possible or wait until 2012 when the special election for the unexpired term would coincide with the regular election for the term starting in 2013.
The state Supreme Court is hearing arguments next week on a petition by the West Virginia Citizens Action Group and Charleston attorney Thornton Cooper to order a special election from the West Virginia Citizens Action Group.
Tomblin's work group will be made up of Bob Bastress, WVU College of Law professor; Joyce E. McConnell, dean,WVU College of Law; and attorneys Marty Glasser, Bill Powell and Charles McElwee.
The group will look at the issues in formulating the position of lieutenant governor and what the job should entail.
''We need to take the time for serious thought,'' Tomblin said. ''We do not want to do this in haste. It is very important any recommendation is well thought out.''
Tomblin did not give a timetable on when he expected the group to have its work done.
''We have to move through the process,'' he said. ''Vacancies do not occur all the time, but we need to have the structure in place to benefit all of the people all of the time.
''We want to do what is right for the people of West Virginia.''
Tomblin said the transition of power in the current situation was followed as state statute dictates and believes the election should be held in 2012.
However, he said he looks forward to the hearing of arguments presented to the state Supreme Court and the discussions they will present. He will abide by whatever ruling is reached.
Tomblin said he had three goals in asking for the position of lieutenant governor to be created.
He wants the position to better clarify the state constitution in regard to the succession of the governor if something happens. He wants the position to cost as little to the taxpayers as possible. Finally, he does not want the position to be a figurehead whose powers are only activated when a replacement for the governor is needed.
All of these issues and more will be addressed by the work group, Tomblin said.
''They will look at all of the angles,'' he said.
House Speaker Rick Thompson said Tomblin's proposal is similar to one offered by Delegate John Doyle, D-Jefferson, and deserves consideration.
"However, it has nothing to do with the constitutional crisis in which we now find ourselves," Thompson said. "The solution is a new election this year, which the constitution clearly envisions and the people absolutely deserve."
The call for a lieutenant governor, a day after the Supreme Court said it would hear arguments on the Citizens Action Group petition, shows the existing method of succession isn't working, he said.
"In fact, the acting governor admits this when he says that he's doing this because there is a need for 'clarity' in the succession process," Thompson said.
The state Republican Party is opposed to the creation of a lieutenant governor, Chairman Mike Stuart said.
"West Virginia needs more jobs, not more politicians in Charleston and bigger government," said Stuart. "The priority must be returned to doing the people's business."
Stuart said there is "a crisis of leadership in West Virginia today."
"Growing government and creating new political offices will not put food on the table of any unemployed family or pay the mortgage for a family in foreclosure," Stuart said.
