The State Constitution mandates that the Lieutenant Governor step into the top executive’s role whenever the Governor leaves the state. Republican State Senator Dave Cox has introduced a constitutional amendment saying it’s time to get rid of that temporary transfer of duty. Cut: Cox1 (:09) “It’s because of the instant communication ability that it seems to me that what we have is a little old fashioned.” But Lieutenant Governor Cruz Bustamante’s spokesman Steven Green says in an emergency, someone on-site is needed to provide fast response. Cut: SGreen (:09) “The acting Governor needs to sign a declaration of emergency, before the federal government emergency response effort will be triggered.” Senator Cox says his amendment would keep intact other transfers of duty to the Lieutenant Governor, such as if the Governor becomes incapacitated. SOC