LIBERTARIAN CANDIDATE WANTS TO SCRAP THE JOB

Phil Horras wants Missourians to elect him to a job he wants to eliminate.

Horras, a Libertarian candidate for lieutenant governor, visited with reporters in Cape Girardeau Tuesday.

Horras, who operates a small aviation company in Springfield, Mo., argues that the position of lieutenant governor is an "appendix" to state government that serves as a tax-funded stepping stone for career politicians.

"The lieutenant governor's position is a redundant and unnecessary position," he said.

"The other candidates are nice guys, but they want to turn the office into a little kingdom," he said. "We don't need it."

While he concedes he is a long shot to win the job, Horras is clear on what he would do if elected.

Horras said he would lobby to get lawmakers to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot to eliminate the position of lieutenant governor. If that doesn't work, he said he would push for an initiative petition to get the issue on the ballot.

The recent death of governor Mel Carnahan and the ascension of Lt. Gov. Roger Wilson to the state's top elected post hasn't changed Horras' view.

He said the state constitution provides for several successors, including the Senate president pro tem, Sen. Edward Quick, and the speaker of the House, Rep. Steve Gaw. Either could govern as well as Wilson, Horras said.

He said Wilson not appointing a new lieutenant governor shows there is little need for such a position.

The state constitution gives few powers to the lieutenant governor. One is breaking tie votes in the Missouri Senate.

Horras sees nothing wrong with tie votes.

"If there is a 50-50 vote in the Senate, the bill stinks," he said.