First successor to the governor

Re “Cruz in control,” editorial, Dec. 28

Even if electronic communications have made it anachronistic for the lieutenant governor to serve as acting governor, that hardly means the office is unnecessary. The major reason to have a lieutenant governor is to have a first successor who is prepared for the job and who has been chosen by the people.

The Times suggests that a legislator, such as the Assembly speaker, would do equally well as first successor. But the lieutenant governor is responsible for being prepared to assume office on a moment’s notice. Legislators have other responsibilities. The Times makes it sound as if serving as acting governor is the lieutenant governor’s only duty. In reality, the lieutenant governor also serves on the boards that run the University of California and California State University systems, is a member of the State Lands Commission and casts the deciding vote in case of ties in the state Senate. The arrival of Lt. Gov.-elect John Garamendi promises an era of meaningful accomplishment in this office.

JEFF BOOK

Beverly Hills

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The Times overlooks a key problem of allowing the speaker of the Assembly to assume the governor’s duties. Given the deeply partisan representation in our state Assembly, combined with term limits and safe voting districts, it’s not difficult to imagine an Assembly speaker with extreme views.

As a candidate for statewide office, a lieutenant governor often tempers his extreme positions to capture the center bloc of voters. An Assembly candidate must only win a majority of votes in what may be a very safe district with a disenfranchised electorate. Although some supporters of extreme liberals or staunch conservatives may relish the thought of their Assembly member gaining the governor’s office, the vast majority of those of us in the middle would likely think otherwise.

THOMAS BURHENN

Sierra Madre