RALEIGH - In a recent gubernatorial debate between current Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue and Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, a challenging question facing North Carolina voters was highlighted. Should we really care who gets elected to the No. 2 slot in the executive branch of state government, or is the lieutenant governor's job mainly a ceremonial position that should be returned to part-time job status?

Even a cursory survey of the North Carolina constitution demonstrates that the position of lieutenant governor has far more authority and power than the public realizes.

The lieutenant governor is elected by the people for a term of four years and is a constitutional officer of the state serving as president of the Senate. While presiding over the state Senate might not sound like a particularly powerful job, it does give the lieutenant governor certain authority over the course of debate and the flow of legislation. Who gets to speak and who gets ignored; arguably, which committee a bill is assigned to; and other day-to-day decisions in operating the Senate are powers belonging to the lieutenant governor.

The officeholder can also cast a vote in the Senate when there is a tie, thus becoming the deciding vote on controversial and closely contested issues such as passage of the state lottery.

Article III of the state constitution also authorizes the lieutenant governor to perform "such additional duties as the General Assembly or the Governor may assign," thus providing a substantial opportunity for the lieutenant governor to shape policy in a range of areas. While the General Assembly and governor are not compelled to fully utilize this provision, there is great potential for a lieutenant governor to play a major leadership role.

Furthermore, the lieutenant governor acts as governor in the absence of the governor from the state or due to the that person's physical or mental incapacity. Other duties include sitting as a member of the Council of State, which oversees numerous aspects of government operations including the approval of certain state indebtedness decisions. Other powers include appointment to various boards, such as the Board of Trustees for the N.C. Community College System, and the authority to make appointments to various other boards.

One of the most important roles of the lieutenant governor is as a member of the State Board of Education. Under the constitution, the lieutenant governor serves as one of only two statewide elected officials with membership on the board. Our constitution empowers the State Board of Education to control the operation of our public schools and the expenditure of appropriated funds. It is an extraordinarily important position and provides the lieutenant governor with an enormous opportunity to impact public education issues.

While the airways will be filled until Nov. 4 with voices trying to convince voters who they should favor in the governor's race, it's unlikely that much attention will be given to the next race down the ballot. The candidates are Democrat Walter Dalton, Republican Robert Pittenger and Libertarian Phillip Rhodes. Who gets elected as lieutenant governor is a decision that voters and the press should not shuffle to the bottom of the deck when it comes time for serious consideration of the candidates.

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