LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - The Arkansas House has approved a measure that keeps the lieutenant governor’s office vacant until the general election in November.
The House approved the bill Thursday on a 76-10 vote, sending it to Gov. Mike Beebe for his signature.
The legislation came about after Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Darr resigned Feb. 1 after he was fined $11,000 for ethics violations. Both the House and Senate signed off on the measure that allows the governor not to call a special election for the lieutenant governor’s position, if a vacancy is within 10 months of the November general election.
Supporters of the legislation say a special election would have cost the state $1 million.
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