Reasons we should say ‘yes’ to Prop. 111

Arizona needs to create a lieutenant governor. Voters can approve this sensible change by voting “yes” on Proposition 111. History, logic and clarity tell us why.

History: The issue of succession isn’t academic in Arizona, where governors have died in office, been removed through impeachment and resigned. When Jan Brewer became governor, it was the fifth time that the secretary of state had risen to the post.

Logic: The No. 2 position in 45 other states is the lieutenant governor. It’s “truth in advertising”: The line of succession is clear from the name of the job. The change wouldn’t add to bureaucracy in Arizona, since the lieutenant governor would continue to perform the duties of secretary of state.

Clarity: Although they would run separately in the primary election, the governor and lieutenant-governor candidates would run on a common ticket in the general election. That would avoid the political earthquake of having the governor’s office abruptly switch parties, as happened when Republican Brewer took over when Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano resigned. Voters wouldn’t see their choice of political party at the executive level suddenly overturned by circumstances.

The commonsense creation of a lieutenant governor has bipartisan support. It is among the reforms that emerged from Government for Arizona’s 2nd Century, a discussion supported by Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the O’Connor House Project and Greater Phoenix Leadership. Voters should say “yes” to Proposition