Opinion ID: 2366383
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Duration of Such Appointment

Text: In light of our recognition of the plenary power of the General Assembly, we cannot say unequivocally that absent death, resignation, or other circumstances causing an additional vacancy a person appointed by the Governor pursuant to article 9, section 5, would serve until the next general election. We are of the opinion that such person would be expected to serve for that period unless the General Assembly were to take action that might diminish or shorten such period of service by providing another method for filling the vacancy for the remainder of the term of office. See, e.g., Casey v. Willey, 89 R.I. 87, 96-97, 151 A.2d 369, 374 (1959); In re Filling of Vacancies by the Governor (Railroad Comm'r), 28 R.I. 602, 606, 67 A. 802, 803 (1907). In issuing this caveat, we do not purport to determine the validity of any such actions as might be taken by the General Assembly subsequent to an appointment by the Governor but only to indicate that such an action might have a significant bearing upon the term during which the person appointed to the vacant office of Lieutenant Governor might serve. However, we reiterate that the Governor's constitutional authority to fill vacancies is only for a temporary purpose  until the normal elective power shall act. In re Filling of Vacancies by the Governor, 28 R.I. at 606, 67 A. at 803. With respect to the office of Lieutenant Governor, the normal elective power is the people. The General Assembly has not yet attempted to act in order to invoke this elective power and we have no way of knowing whether it will do so before the existing term of office expires, or if it does act, whether such actions as it may decide to take would be valid. For the reasons stated, we answer the question addressed to us by the Governor in the affirmative with the caveat that action by the General Assembly might affect the length of the term that such an appointee might serve. /s/ Joseph R. Weisberger JOSEPH R. WEISBERGER Chief Justice /s/ John P. Bourcier JOHN P. BOURCIER Justice /s/ Robert G. Flanders, Jr. ROBERT G. FLANDERS, Jr. Justice /s/ Donald F. Shea DONALD F. SHEA Justice (retired and sitting by designation)