Lieutenant governor’s job really does matter

Since I announced my candidacy for lieutenant governor on the Democratic ticket, I’ve been asked many times, “What does the lieutenant governor do?” The lieutenant governor has a complex workload based on a combination of statutory responsibilities and personal initiative. The lieutenant governor serves as president of the Senate, sits on eight boards and commissions, and acts as the “ombudsman of the people of New Mexico.”

Ultimately, the role of the Lieutenant Governor’s Office is so much more than that. The specific roles allow the lieutenant governor to act as a liaison between different components of state government and the public at large.

The lieutenant governor can build upon these statutory responsibilities by developing his or her own projects.

For example, I have proposed establishing a Center for Excellence within the Lieutenant Governor’s Office, to promote ethics, facilitate operational assessments and help design new initiatives across all government agencies.

Finally, the lieutenant governor can be an advocate.

As you consider who to vote for in the Democratic primary, please remember my commitment to use the office of lieutenant governor to substantially improve operations within our executive branch. Billy G. Garrett

Doña Ana County commissioner, District 1