Political Horizons: Jindal Eyes The No. 2 Man
by MARK BALLARD - Advocate (excerpt)

Last week, Gov Bobby Jindal left the protective cocoon of the State Capitol complex to speak to a largely supportive crowd. And again, the only vision articulated was a future without new taxes.

Interestingly, on that same day his top aide, Timmy Teepell, floated a trial balloon that was remarkably pointed: Get rid of the Lieutenant Governor’s Office and give the succession duties to the secretary of state, and the management duties to other departments. It was couched as a streamlining effort that would save much of the $90 million spent each year to keep a state official around for when the governor leaves office. Such a proposition would need two-thirds approval from both chambers of the Louisiana Legislature and a majority of the state’s voters this fall.

State government has been trying to find something for the lieutenant governor to do since the post was created in 1852. Of the nation’s 50 states, 42 have lieutenant governors. The powers of the second-in-command variy widely.