George Skelton: Time to cut lieutenant governor position
On Monday, George Skelton asked the question Gavin Newsom has probably pondered himself -- why have lieutenant governors anyway?
It’s reached the point where the governor’s dog seems more welcome in Sacramento, Skelton says.
“Brown’s Pembroke Welsh corgi gets invited into the governor’s office practically every day,” Skelton writes. “Sutter gets lots of petting. He regularly walks with gubernatorial aides in Capitol Park.”
Meanwhile, “Newsom essentially gets locked out.”
Michael J. Mishak explored Newsom’s role -- or lack thereof -- in an article last week, showing how a rising political star in California has been trapped in Sacramento purgatory.
To Skelton, it just shows that there’s no reason to have a lieutenant governor. Besides voting on university boards and filling in when the governor is out of town, there’s little to do.
“Lieutenant governor is pretty much a nothing job,” he writes.
ALSO:
Governor and lawmakers say budget marks progress
Gov. Brown signs budget with few changes -- or complaints
Largest California state workers union says pay raises on the way
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
