MONROE - State Sen. Alan Lasee, R-DePere, thinks Wisconsin can get by without a lieutenant governor and secretary of state.
Lasee's proposal to eliminate both constitutional offices was discussed Wednesday in a state Senate committee.
What does Rep. Brett Davis think? Davis, R-Oregon, announced Sept. 17 he is considering a run for lieutenant governor in 2010.
"It doesn't impact my decision in any way shape or form," Davis told the Times on Wednesday of Lasee's proposal.
Davis said he doesn't expect to make a final decision on a lieutenant governor bid after Jan. 1. He didn't dismiss Lasee's proposal, saying there's a need to look at every position in government to determine whether it's needed or could be eliminated to save money.
But he said there is more potential in the lieutenant governor position than is being realized by the current office holder, Barbara Lawton.
The lieutenant governor, Davis said, should have a strong relationship with the governor, and they should work together to develop better public policy. Davis said his public career and private background in real estate would help him use the position for policy development.
Lawton does not talk about policy issues with Gov. Jim Doyle, Davis said.
"Everyone has said they don't have a good working relationship, and she hasn't been part of the decisions that are going on," Davis said.
Davis said a better relationship between the governor and lieutenant governor could have proved helpful when Doyle talked with General Motors representatives when trying to save jobs in Janesville, or during negotiations with Mercury Marine in Fond du Lac when the company recently considered moving operations to Oklahoma.
"A lot of your involvement depends on what the governor wants you to do," Davis said.
Lawton is running in 2010 to replace Doyle, who announced this summer he won't seek re-election as governor.
Eliminating the lieutenant governor and secretary of state positions would require the Assembly and Senate to approve constitutional amendments twice before voters would weigh in statewide.
The lieutenant governor makes about $74,000 a year, plus office staff costs, Davis said. He was unsure what the staff costs are, but believes it is similar to what a state senator receives. Assembly members are given about $10,000 to use toward office costs, he said.
The lieutenant governor serves as "acting governor" when the governor is out of state and is next in line should the governor be unable to serve. The secretary of state maintains the official acts of the Legislature and governor and affixes the state seal to all official acts of the governor.
Thus far, Superior Mayor Dave Ross is the only declared Republican candidate for lieutenant governor. Tom Farley, Jr., brother of the late comedian Chris Farley, also is considering a run as a Republican.
Milwaukee Alderman T. Anthony Zielinski is running as a Democrat, while Milwaukee Democratic senators Spencer Coggs and Lena Taylor are considering bids.
Wisconsin's primary election is Sept. 14, 2010. Davis said he would serve the remainder of his Assembly term if he runs for lieutenant governor.
- The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Lasee's proposal to eliminate both constitutional offices was discussed Wednesday in a state Senate committee.
What does Rep. Brett Davis think? Davis, R-Oregon, announced Sept. 17 he is considering a run for lieutenant governor in 2010.
"It doesn't impact my decision in any way shape or form," Davis told the Times on Wednesday of Lasee's proposal.
Davis said he doesn't expect to make a final decision on a lieutenant governor bid after Jan. 1. He didn't dismiss Lasee's proposal, saying there's a need to look at every position in government to determine whether it's needed or could be eliminated to save money.
But he said there is more potential in the lieutenant governor position than is being realized by the current office holder, Barbara Lawton.
The lieutenant governor, Davis said, should have a strong relationship with the governor, and they should work together to develop better public policy. Davis said his public career and private background in real estate would help him use the position for policy development.
Lawton does not talk about policy issues with Gov. Jim Doyle, Davis said.
"Everyone has said they don't have a good working relationship, and she hasn't been part of the decisions that are going on," Davis said.
Davis said a better relationship between the governor and lieutenant governor could have proved helpful when Doyle talked with General Motors representatives when trying to save jobs in Janesville, or during negotiations with Mercury Marine in Fond du Lac when the company recently considered moving operations to Oklahoma.
"A lot of your involvement depends on what the governor wants you to do," Davis said.
Lawton is running in 2010 to replace Doyle, who announced this summer he won't seek re-election as governor.
Eliminating the lieutenant governor and secretary of state positions would require the Assembly and Senate to approve constitutional amendments twice before voters would weigh in statewide.
The lieutenant governor makes about $74,000 a year, plus office staff costs, Davis said. He was unsure what the staff costs are, but believes it is similar to what a state senator receives. Assembly members are given about $10,000 to use toward office costs, he said.
The lieutenant governor serves as "acting governor" when the governor is out of state and is next in line should the governor be unable to serve. The secretary of state maintains the official acts of the Legislature and governor and affixes the state seal to all official acts of the governor.
Thus far, Superior Mayor Dave Ross is the only declared Republican candidate for lieutenant governor. Tom Farley, Jr., brother of the late comedian Chris Farley, also is considering a run as a Republican.
Milwaukee Alderman T. Anthony Zielinski is running as a Democrat, while Milwaukee Democratic senators Spencer Coggs and Lena Taylor are considering bids.
Wisconsin's primary election is Sept. 14, 2010. Davis said he would serve the remainder of his Assembly term if he runs for lieutenant governor.
- The Associated Press contributed to this story.