New York's first constitution in 1777 established the office of lieutenant governor. The constitutional powers and duties of the office have remained unchanged except for the alteration of the term of office from three to two years under the second (1821) constitution, back to three years by an amendment in 1876 to the third (1846) constitution, back to two years under the fourth (1894) constitution, and finally to its present four years by an amendment in 1937.
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The lieutenant governor is designated by the State Constitution as president of the senate and votes there in the event of a tie. The lieutenant governor is responsible for assuming the duties of the governor in case of the governor's removal from office by death, disability, impeachment, resignation, or absence from the state. The lieutenant governor has statutory duties as a member of the court for the trial of impeachments; an ex officio trustee of Cornell University and of the College of Environmental Science and Forestry; a member of the State Defense Council; and a member of the Committee on Public Access to Records. The lieutenant governor also handles special projects and duties as assigned by the governor.
