Some senators are balking at a proposal to make Missouri's gubernatorial elections more like presidential ones.
A proposed amendment to the state constitution would require candidates for governor and lieutenant governor to run as a ticket, just as the president and vice president do. Senators debated the measure but set it aside Tuesday after some concerns were raised.
Democratic Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal once worked for former Lt. Gov. Joe Maxwell. She says having a lieutenant governor elected independently from the governor can provide a balance to the governor's power. Otherwise, she says, a governor could appoint a "lackey" or a "rubber stamp" to the position.
Sponsoring Sen. John Lamping, a Republican, says it's common sense to have the governor and lieutenant governor run together, since they should work together once elected.
