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Rules Committee narrowly approves adding deputy caucus leaders to Legislative Manual
Summary
After debate over necessity and scope, the committee passed a resolution 5–3–2 to amend the Legislative Manual and create Deputy Majority/Minority or caucus leaders with no stipend; supporters framed the change as a safeguard for continuity, opponents said caucuses can self‑remedy leadership absences.
The committee adopted a resolution amending Article II of the Legislative Manual to create Deputy Majority/Minority (caucus) leader positions without stipend.
Chairwoman Laurie R. Tautel described past episodes in which caucuses lacked representation when leaders were incapacitated and said the resolution "creates a Deputy Majority/Minority Leader or caucus leader for that purpose with no stipend associated with this position." Genesis Ramos and others said the role would safeguard caucus access to leadership meetings and information. Opponents, including Thomas J. Faggione and Barry J. Cheney, argued caucuses already have internal options to replace leaders and expressed concern about injecting political considerations into operational rules. Legislative Counsel Betsy N. Abraham clarified that the Legislative Manual allows a caucus to select leaders internally and that the manual does not prevent the caucus from voting for a replacement when a leader is incapacitated. The resolution passed 5–3–2 (Ramos, Tobin, Fascalidi, Redeker and Tautel in favor; Cheney and Faggione opposed; Turnbull, Sutherland and Stegenga absent).
