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About NLGA
The National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA), organized
in 1962, is the professional association for the elected
officials first in line of succession to the governors in the 50
states and five territorial jurisdictions. Each state’s constitution dictates who is
first in line of gubernatorial succession should a vacancy occur and this official
is the NLGA member. In 45 states and four territories this
official holds the title lieutenant governor. In
three states and one territory this official is secretary of
state. In two states, the senate president is first in
line of succession. (Note: Two lieutenant
governors are senate presidents statutorily empowered to use the
title Lieutenant Governor, in WV and TN).
Lieutenant
governors derive their powers and responsibilities four ways:
1. From the state Constitution, and/or 2. From the governor (thru
appointment and/or executive order), and/or 3. From the
Legislature thru statutory action, and/or 4. From the power of
personal initiative. Lieutenant governors are the only
officials with specific duties and powers in two branches of
state government: the executive and legislative branches.
About half of the NLGA members preside over the state senates.
Most pursue legislative initiatives; many testify locally and/or
in Washington D.C. in various capacities; some serve on the
governors’ cabinets; and others maintain varied portfolios of
duties. The office of lieutenant governor is possibly the
most diverse office across state governments. Each state
and individual officeholder has the opportunity to utilize the
office to most effectively meet the states' needs.
NLGA provides members the opportunity to meet and network with
the other seconds-in-command in the states thru at least two
meetings a year: the Federal-State Relations meeting each
March in Washington D.C. and the Annual Meeting each summer in a
rotating location. NLGA members may adopt policy resolutions
during these meetings. NLGA also acts as conduit to each
lieutenant governor for news and opportunities at the federal
level.
NLGA offers members the opportunity to assume national
leadership roles and to be recognized as leaders in fields
ranging from energy and the environment to the arts.
Through international missions, NLGA members engage in
international economic development and outreach from Mexico to
China. Through NLGA, members foster
interstate cooperation and share best practices to the benefit
of the constituents in the states and territories. NLGA
offers members ready opportunities to engage in work benefiting
constituents, such as Your Heart is in Your Hands.
NLGA seeks to
promote the effectiveness of the Office of Lieutenant Governor
and its inhabitants (click here for "About
the Office of Lt. Governor.")
NLGA was organized under the title the National Conference of
Lieutenant Governors (NCLG) and changed its name in July 2002 to
the National Lieutenant Governors Association. Read a History of
NLGA by
clicking here. NLGA is an administrative partner of the
Council of
State Governments.
For more information,
please contact the NLGA. The NLGA Executive Director
is Julia Hurst
(click for bio).
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