A proposal to strip the powers of Alabama’s lieutenant governor was delayed Thursday in the state Senate.

The proposed constitutional amendment would remove the lieutenant governor as Senate president and make the primary responsibility of the position to succeed the governor if he or she resigns, is impeached or dies. It would also require the lieutenant governor to run on the governor’s ticket.

The Senate voted to carry over the bill, meaning it could come up for debate again on Tuesday.

Sen. Gerald Dial, the Republican sponsor, said Thursday that previous lieutenant governors have abused the position.

“Everyone spends our taxpayer money sitting in that office running for governor,” Dial said.

Critics questioned what the point of the job would be if its powers were stripped.

“Would there be any other purpose to this position other than to wait for the governor to die or be impeached?” said Sen. Phil Williams, a Republican. “I feel like we’re creating a hollow position.”

Gov. Kay Ivey has spoken out against the bill. She most recently held the position of lieutenant governor and became governor last year after former Gov. Robert Bentley quit amid a sex scandal with an aide.

The lieutenant governor’s position is currently vacant. Republicans Will Ainsworth, Twinkle Cavanaugh and Rusty Glover and Democrat Will Boyd are running to fill it this year. Ainsworth condemned the constitutional amendment.

“It would stop all power,” Ainsworth said.

Senate President Pro Tempore Del Marsh said the bill was a priority, although it faces a tight deadline for passage in the House before the session finishes at the end of March. If passed, voters would decide whether to change the constitution.

(Image: Rep. Will Ainsworth & Gerald Dial)

(Associated Press, copyright 2018)