{Charleston, West Virginia}...A House-Senate judiciary subcommittee endorsed a draft Monday proposing an amendment to the state constitution to create the office of lieutenant governor to handle future vacancies in the state's top executive post. A second measure would address replacing disabled officeholders. The Legislature's session starts Wednesday. Two-thirds of the House and Senate must each approve the lieutenant governor proposal before it can go on the general election ballot. The lieutenant governor would serve as a Cabinet secretary or agency chief until needed. The disability proposal would have the state's three medical school deans evaluate cases where a statewide executive branch officeholder appears unable to serve.
