HARRISBURG -- Republican Sen. Joe Scarnati now holds the No. 2 job in state government, but don't expect him to play a major role in developing policies for Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell's administration.

The Jefferson County politician will remain the Senate's top officer, called president pro tem, and still will lead the Republicans in the Senate, part of the legislative branch of government. But due to the death of Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll on Wednesday, Mr. Scarnati also will hold the job of lieutenant governor, which is in the executive branch.

"Sen. Scarnati will continue in his role as a member of the Senate leadership team despite his new duties as lieutenant governor, but he isn't likely to be invited to any of the administration's internal strategy meetings," Rendell spokesman Chuck Ardo said yesterday.

House Republican leader Sam Smith, who, like Mr. Scarnati, comes from Jefferson County, said, "It's not like Joe will be speaking for the administration on major policy issues. The governor will obviously continue to be the No. 1 spokesman for his agenda."

A lieutenant governor's main jobs are presiding over Senate sessions -- something that Mrs. Knoll loved to do -- and chairing the state Board of Pardons. They also sometimes do other things, like helping run state emergency management operations in times of crisis.

The lieutenant governor also can cast a tie-breaking vote, if necessary, but that wouldn't apply in Mr. Scarnati's case because he will retain his regular Senate voting privileges. Also, the GOP controls the Senate by a 29-20 margin with one vacancy.

"Historically, governors have not had their lieutenant governor involved in essential policy-making decisions of the administration,'' said G. Terry Madonna, a political science professor at Franklin & Marshall College.

Mr. Rendell and Senate Republicans have clashed on several major issues, including tax increases, level of state spending and how to fund energy conservation and transportation costs. Another bone of contention has been how to extend health care and health insurance to 800,000 Pennsylvania adults without it.

On Wednesday, speaking to reporters before Mrs. Knoll died, Mr. Rendell was sharply critical of the Senate GOP for not coming back into session this month to deal with the health insurance issue.

"It's a shame that Republicans won't come back," he said. "I'm very unhappy about it. It's mind-boggling to me."

Republicans have objected to the scope of the governor's health insurance plans, which have ranged up to $1 billion a year in cost and have included calls for higher tobacco taxes. The GOP wants less expensive alternatives.

Senate Republicans decided not to return for a "lame duck" session this month, saying it's part of their effort to reform the Legislature. Lame duck sessions -- held in the three weeks after a November election -- have been times in the past where controversial issues, including pay raises, were discussed.

Mr. Scarnati couldn't be reached yesterday but did issue a brief statement. He said he's proud to be the new lieutenant governor, "but my emotions are significantly tempered" by Mrs. Knoll's death.

"I realize my role in the executive branch may be diminished, but I believe that both Gov. Rendell and I can look beyond party affiliation and focus on improving the lives of Pennsylvanians, as we have in the past."

Yesterday, state officials put Mrs. Knoll's picture draped in black, along with a wreath and a memorial book, in the Capitol rotunda. Mr. Rendell urged Pennsylvanians to express their condolences by signing the book between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends.

There's also an online guest book at www.pa.gov. Click on a black banner with the words "In Memoriam.''

In addition, post-gazette.com readers may also visit an online guest book for Mrs. Knoll.