What is the role of the Lieutenant Governor in Georgia's legislature?

• A. Serves as Speaker of the House and handles budget.
• B. Serves as President of the Senate, presiding over it; elected with the Governor.
• C. Serves as President of the Senate, presiding over it; elected separately from the Governor.
• D. Serves as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Answer: (C)

The lieutenant governor’s job in Georgia is to act as President of the Senate, guiding its sessions and proceedings. This position gives the lieutenant governor substantial influence over the legislative process, especially through appointing committee chairs and shaping which bills move forward. A key feature is that the lieutenant governor is elected separately from the governor, so the two leaders can come from different elections or parties, which affects how the Senate operates compared to the executive branch. This role is distinct from any House leadership—the Speaker of the House is elected by House members, not by the lieutenant governor—and it’s not a judicial position. So the best description is that the lieutenant governor presides over the Senate and is elected separately from the governor.