Missouri: “Office may be called ‘light gov,’ but it’s still needed”

Stephen Davis oped:

As former Missouri Chief Justice Michael A. Wolff ably explained on this page last week, current law does not provide for the filling of this vacancy, and in my opinion, prevents the governor from appointing a lieutenant governor. See Mo. Rev. Stat. § 105.030. Nearly a hundred years ago, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled the governor had no authority to fill vacancies in a way that conflicts with applicable statute. By contrast, there is constitutional and statutorily provided process to fill all other elective state offices, either by appointment or special election.

Gov. Parson says he is considering calling the Legislature into session to fix this problem. He should immediately do so. The cost is minimal, and the opportunity is prime.

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