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Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
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Current officeholder
- See also: Current Lieutenant Governors
The 47th and current lieutenant governor is Yvonne Prettner Solon, a Democrat elected in 2010.
Authority
The state Constitution addresses the office of the governor in Article V, the Executive Department.
Under Article V, Section I:
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The executive department consists of a governor, lieutenant governor... |
Qualifications
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The term of office of the lieutenant governor of Minnesota is four years. Candidates must:
- be at least 25 years old
- be a U.S. citizen
- have been a Minnesota resident for one year before the election
Elections
- See also: Gubernatorial election cycles by state
- See also: Election of lieutenant governors
Minnesota elects lieutenant governors in the midterm elections, that is, even years that are not Presidential election years. For Minnesota, 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018 are all lieutenant gubernatorial election years. Legally, the lieutenant gubernatorial inauguration is always set for the first Monday in the January following an election. Thus, January 3, 2011 and January 5, 2015 are inaugural days.
Term limits
A 1958 amendment to the Minnesota Constitution created four-year terms for lieutenant governors, where previously they served two-year terms. There are no term limits.
Vacancies
Details of vacancy appointments are addressed under Article V, Section 5.
| The last elected presiding officer of the senate shall become lieutenant governor in case a vacancy occurs in that office. In case the governor is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the same devolves on the lieutenant governor. The legislature may provide by law for the case of the removal, death, resignation, or inability both of the governor and lieutenant governor to discharge the duties of governor and may provide by law for continuity of government in periods of emergency resulting from disasters caused by enemy attack in this state, including but not limited to, succession to the powers and duties of public office and change of the seat of government. |
Duties
The lieutenant governor serves as a key member of the governor’s cabinet and is involved in major policy and budget decisions. Additionally, as lieutenant governor, the lieutenant governor serves as a member of the State Executive Council and chairs the Capitol Area Architectural Planning Board.
Minnesota's Lieutenant Governor serves as an extension of the governor and assists the governor in carrying out the functions of the executive branch. The lieutenant governor represents the governor and is prepared to act in the governor’s place in the event of his/her absence or disability.
The governor may delegate to the lieutenant governor any powers, duties, responsibilities, or functions as prescribed by law to be performed by the governor by filing a written order with the secretary of state.
Compensation
The lieutenant governor's pay is set by law and may not be increased or diminished effective during the current term.
As of 2010, the lieutenant governor is paid $78,197 a year, the 30th highest lieutenant gubernatorial salary in America.
Contact information
Office of the Governor and Lt. Governor
130 State Capitol
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone:651-296-3391
Toll Free:800-657-3717
Fax:651-296-2089
See also
- Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Yvonne Prettner Solon
- Governor of Minnesota
- Minnesota Attorney General
- Minnesota Secretary of State
External links
- Office of Minnesota Lieutenant Governor
- Minnesota Secretary of State, "About the Office of the Lieutenant Governor"
References
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