George Skelton asks: Why do we have a LG?

by Brian Leubitz

In many states, the LG runs on a ticket with the governor. They are effectively a glorified aid, but all power runs through the governor. That is not the case in California, where LGs are independently elected. Getting elected to statewide office is not a trivial matter, but many are now wondering if the effort is worth it at all. Skelton summarizes the office:

California’s lieutenant governor is a voting member of the UC Board of Regents and state university trustees. That’s the job highlight.

He’s also ostensibly president of the state Senate – and can vote if there’s a 20-20 tie – but got booted off the chamber floor this year because there was nothing for him to do officially. He also chairs the state economic development commission, but it can’t vote because Brown hasn’t filled enough vacancies.

So lieutenant governor is pretty much a nothing job. … Newsom’s budget is down to less than $1 million. That’s enough for 3 1/2 employees.

Just dump the whole office. Why bother?

“I think it can have an important purpose,” Newsom responds. “It can be the eyes and ears for the governor on higher ed, economic development, delta water….”(George Skelton / LAT)

While Newsom is trying to strengthen the office, his bill to link the elections into one wasn’t even carried this year. Of course, the cost savings of such a measure will mean that eventually somebody will consider it, if only for purposes of grandstanding. But the question of whether we should have an office of the LG at all is a bigger question, that should be addressed.

One of these days we’ll really have that constitutional convention where we can really discuss how we can really reform our government in an holistic manner. And you could certainly draw up a number of proposals that make the LG more useful. Heck, in Texas, many consider the LG almost as powerful as the Governor. Bill Hobby and Bob Bullock became Texas legends from the LG spot. But, seeing as the convention idea kind of went nowhere just a few years back, maybe not any day soon. In the mean time, LG Newsom will continue to work to make his office relevant.

Photo credit: flickr user Franco Folini.