William Cinfici posted on 5/19/2010 4:13:00 PM
You are right about the flaws in Pennsylvania's Constitution in regard to the office of Lieutenant Governor and gubernatorial succession. In fact, it is even worse. For example, the President pro tempore of the Senate could act as Lieutenant Governor, and, in the event of the Governor's disability, even act simultaneously as Governor, while retaining his Senate seat! A legislator acting as Governor, under either example, would violate the principle of the separation of powers. I would add that Pennsylvania's office of Lieutenant Governor itself violates the principle, as the office is both legislative (President of the Senate) and executive (Chairman of the Board of Pardons) -- a situation that is only compounded when a legislator acts as or becomes Lieutenant Governor.

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