Lieutenant governor's duties plenty for full-time service

State Sen. Peter Kinder sees the lieutenant governor's job description as one requiring full-time attention, unlike most previous lieutenant governors who treated the office as a part-time job (most of them lawyers who continued to collect legal fees while serving). Kinder announced at the Missouri Press Association convention earlier this month that he would dedicate full time to the job.

Kinder has generally committed over 40 hours weekly as a state senator for 12 years -- even more in the last four years while serving as president pro tem (the top leadership role) of the Missouri Senate.

At the MPA meeting, Kinder handed out a 2 1/2-page typewritten list of the lieutenant governor's responsibilities:

Constitutional

1. Preside over the Senate, voting in the event of a tie vote.

2. Preside as governor when the governor is absent from the state or disabled.

3. Upon the death, conviction, impeachment or resignation of the governor, the lieutenant governor shall become governor for the remainder of the term.

Statutory

Board of Public Buildings (member) (Chapter 8.010, Missouri Revised Statutes): The governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general sit on this board. They have control over state property and buildings.

Board of Fund Commissioners (member) (Chapter 33.300): The governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, state auditor, state treasurer and Office of Administration commissioner sit on this board. They direct payment of the state debt and manage bonds.

Missouri Development Finance Board (member) (Chapter 100.265): The lieutenant governor, directors of the departments of economic development and agriculture and nine members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate serve on this board. The purpose of this board is to promote economic development in the state and has broad powers regarding loans and bonds.

Tourism Commission (vice chair) (Chapter 620.455): The lieutenant governor, two senators and two state representatives plus five members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate sit on this commission in the Department of Economic Development.

Office of Advocacy and Assistance for the Elderly (Chapter 660.620): This office is created within the office of the lieutenant governor and acts as the elderly advocate , coordinates activities with the long-term care ombudsman program, does investigations into complaints from the elderly and coordinates with the Division of Aging. (This office was created by the Proposition C referendum in November 1992).

Missouri Housing Development Commission (member) (Chapter 215.020): The governor, lieutenant governor, state treasurer, attorney general and six members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate serve on this commission. MHDC is assigned to the Department of Economic Development (Chapter 620.010.18). It has a budget of $3.5 million in the Missouri Housing Trust Fund. This money is spent by the commission on homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, traditional housing, emergency housing assistance and home repairs for low-income homeowners, the development of low-income housing and rental assistance for low-income people.

Rural Economic Development Council (member) (Chapter 620.155): The lieutenant governor, directors of the departments of agriculture and economic development, the director of the Extension Division of the University of Missouri, one senator and on House member sit on this council. It is under the Department of Economic Development. The purpose of this council is to promote economic development in rural areas. The statute creating the council sunsets June 30, 2010.

Parents As Teachers Program (Chapter 178.695) The lieutenant governor shall act as an adviser to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for all such programs. The lieutenant governor also serves as an advisor to DESE on early childhood education. The Early Childhood Program allows low-income stay-at home parents to receive payments for staying home with their children. If these parents participate in the PAT program, they can receive a higher amount of money from Early Childhood Program funding.

Commission for the Missouri Senior Rx Program (chair) (Chapter 208.553): This is a 15-member commission including the lieutenant governor in his or her capacity as advocate for the elderly.

Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Health (member): The council promotes physical fitness and health throughout the state by implementing programs, fostering communication and cooperation and developing statewide support that will help the citizens of Missouri develop and maintain healthier lifestyles for an improved quality of life.

Missouri Community Service Commission (chair): The commission's mission is to build stronger communities by fostering an ethic of service in all Missourians through empowering communities and citizens from all walks of life to address educational, public safety, human and environmental needs through volunteer service programs, by supporting those programs that demonstrate a lasting impact on communities and by instilling in participants a sense of community and civic responsibility while nurturing personal development and self-esteem.

Personal Independence Commission (co-chair): The commission examines existing programs and services, provides community-based treatment, facilitates communication and collaboration between state agencies and health and community-based services and consumer directed care.

Second State Capitol Commission (member): The commission evaluates and recommends courses of action on the restoration and preservation of the capitol, the preservation of historical significance of the capitol and the history of the capitol and ensures accessibility to the capitol for physically disabled persons.

Special Health, Psychological and Social Needs of Minority Older Individuals Commission (member): The commission studies certain needs of the state's minority older individuals and makes recommendations for program improvements and services to the governor and key legislators.

Statewide Safety Steering Committee (member).

Veterans Benefits Awareness Task Force (chair).

With 12 years of Senate experience, four in the top leadership position, the duties of presiding over the Senate and representing the government in various information speaking engagements, Kinder is well-qualified to meet the responsibilities of the job as listed above.

Gary Rust is chairman of Rust Communications.