Conn. legislature considering new law on Congressional replacements!

[NewJeffCT]

This is probably similar to what the overwhelmingly Democratic legislature did in Mass in 2004 (not wanting Romney to appoint a Republican to the Senate in the nation's bluest state). They are going to consider a law that will take away the power of the governor to appoint the successor to a Senator or Congressman who steps down or passes way. The new law would either have an election or allow the legislature to appoint the replacement.

No link, as it was on WTIC radio this morning.

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

1. Lets hope it passes and Rell signs it ! n/t

[NewJeffCT]

2. I think she'd veto it

we'd have to keep all the Dems in line on this one...

She was coming up later on WTIC (this morning) to discuss the issue, so I would imagine she was against it.

[madinmaryland]

3. Does the CT legislature have enough dems to override a veto?

[NewJeffCT]

4. both houses have supermajority Dems

so, if everybody toed the party line, they could override Rell's veto.

[suston96]

5. The Seventeenth Amendment says this......

Seventeenth Amendment:

*****

When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.

Seems like the Governor's appointment would be temporary until an election is scheduled either by the Governor or the legislature. I believe this Amendment is not very well understood or followed.

The whole idea of the Seventeenth Amendment was to give the people the power to directly elect their Senators. Governors appointing Senators without an election doesn't follow that mandate.

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

6. Then why do 40 states allow the governor to

appoint a replacemment ?

[NewJeffCT]

7. My guess

where they say until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct

the legislatures may direct the election to be at the time of the normally scheduled election (meaning, 2012 for Lieberman)