In the past week, state pols have been speculating about the next big job that could be open in California: lieutenant governor.
Assuming John Garamendi wins a seat in Congress, all sorts of potential replacements have been discussed. Bob Hertzberg. Abel Maldonado. Dean Florez. Tom Campbell. But all of those folks have political futures – or think they do. The legislature might stand in the way of giving the job to someone with ambitions. Instead, the governor is seen as likely to appoint someone without future political ambitions. A placeholder.
I’m all for that. The governor also might leave the chair open, as a way of making a statement. It’s not at all clear the state needs a lieutenant governor. In fact, the state’s division of executive authority among various elected officials – lt. gov, attorney general, treasurer, controller, insurance commissioner, superintendent of public instruction – has been something less than a success. This division of authority creates conflict and undermines accountability. As in so many areas of California government, it’s often not clear who has the executive authority on a particular issue. (See the recent dispute between the controller and governor over furloughs).
I suggested in an earlier column (tongue in cheek) that the governor appoint Tom Campbell and then resign (so we can put Campbell’s budget plans in place). But since that’s unlikely to happen, let me suggest that the governor appoint a specific kind of placeholder.
That is, somebody who desperately needs the job – particularly the salary and benefits. The best choice for the job would be someone who has suffered – or is likely to suffer – under the recent cuts in the social safety net. Perhaps someone elderly or disabled who is losing the services of In-Home Support Service caregivers. (The CHP, which protects state officials, could be called upon to take their place). Or perhaps the mother of children who could lose coverage under Healthy Families.
It’d be a shame to waste the appointment on a politician who already has health insurance and a steady income.