Introduction

PROPOSITION 111, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT 

SECRETARY OF STATE KEN BENNETT: Proposition 111. A yes vote shall have the effect of changing the name of the Office of Secretary of State to the Office of Lieutenant Governor. It will also require that each political parties' nominees for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, run on one ticket, and be voted on together in the general election.

MODERATOR RICH DUBEK: Thank you, very much. Speaking on the pro side of 111 is Tom Simplot, Chairman of Yes on 111.

MR. TOM SIMPLOT: Good evening. I'm Phoenix City Councilman, Tom Simplot, and I'm also Chair of Vote Yes on Prop 111 Campaign.

Proposition 111 creates the position of Lieutenant Governor, leaving no doubt in voter's minds what the chain of succession would be in Arizona government. It brings transparency to the forefront of our political system.

The Lieutenant Governor would assume the duties of the Secretary of State, creating better government without bigger government. Starting in 2014, each party would have a gubernatorial candidate, and a Lieutenant gubernatorial candidate elected on a ticket. Independent voters would still be -– excuse me, independent candidates would still be allowed to run for the offices.

Creating the position of Lieutenant Governor was among the most popular governmental reforms in a recent statewide survey.

Proposition 111 has its origin in the O'Connor House Project. Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and the O'Connor House Project, brought citizens together this past year to discuss problems facing our state, and to find common sense solutions to improve our government, without making it bigger.

Their recommendations represent the views of a diverse bipartisan group of people from across the state.

Proposition 111 would again simply make our government better, without making it bigger.

Arizona is only one of five states without a Lieutenant Governor position. In our state's short history, we've had five Secretary's of State ascend to the Governor's office. Twice as a result of gubernatorial vacancy, the office has switched political parties mid-term. Renaming the Secretary of State to Lieutenant Governor provides voters a clear understanding of our state's executive line of succession.

Under Proposition 111, the legislature would have four years to tailor the duties and responsibilities of the Lieutenant Governor for Arizona's needs. Much like the Arizona legislature has done for the Secretary of State's Office since statehood.

MODERATOR RICH DUBEK: Thank you, very much. Speaking against Proposition 111 is Joe Sigg, who is a Member of the Arizona Farm Bureau.

MR. JOE SIGG: I get the idea of a Lieutenant Governor. I get the idea that voters have some expectation of four years of continuity when they elect a Governor.

A Lieutenant Governor for Arizona may be a very good idea, but not the way Proposition 111 is written. It's language and argue exceeds the illumination of its headlights. I quote Bob Rob, columnist for the Arizona Republic. “I've been a participant or close observer of the Arizona politics for over three decades. Proposition 111 is one of the most poorly thought out ballot propositions I've seen during that long stretch, and believe me, that's not an easy list to crack.”

The Arizona Farm Bureau opposes Proposition 111 for three reasons. One, it forces partisan primary victors to run as a team. This idea of forcing people who may not like one another, or the others policies, can run as a team just because they're the same political party, deserves another look.

Two, the Chief Election Officer that as the Secretary of State, becomes the Lieutenant Governor, and as a team member subservient to the Governor. This idea of having the Chief Elections Officer tied so closely to the Governor, deserves another look. There may come a time when the elector will appreciate a clear separation of powers.

Three, the language of Proposition 111 precludes a run by an independent, because it would prescribe by constitutional language, a process determined by party and primary. Independents have neither. Obviously, you can't block by process independents running for obvious -– running for office. Obviously, that's unconstitutional. Obviously, that would likely prompt a Court case, which the state would lose, at which time the elector will think, why didn't we think through that before?

Well, we can think through that now, and vote no on Proposition 111.

MODERATOR RICH DUBEK: Thank you, very much.