Lieutenant Governor of California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lieutenant Governor of California |
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| Government of California | |
| Style | Madam Lieutenant Governor (Informal) The Honorable (Formal) Madam President (When presiding over California Senate) |
| Member of | Constitutional California State Senate University of California Board of Regents Statutory California Community Colleges Board of Governors California State Lands Commission California State University Board of Trustees |
| Residence | None official |
| Seat | Sacramento, California California State Capitol |
| Appointer | Popular vote |
| Term length | Four years, renewable once |
| Constituting instrument | Constitution of California |
| Inaugural holder | John McDougal 1849 |
| Succession | First (gubernatorial line of succession) |
| Salary | $130,490 |
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The lieutenant governor of California is a very important leader in the California government. This person is the second-highest executive officer, right after the Governor. The lieutenant governor is chosen by voters for a four-year term. They can serve a maximum of two terms.
One main job is to act as acting governor if the Governor is away or unable to do their job. The lieutenant governor also leads the California State Senate. They also help make decisions for many state groups and agencies.
In California, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor are elected separately. This means they don't run as a team. Because of this, California often has a Governor and a Lieutenant Governor from different political parties.
California has had 41 lieutenant governors since it became a state in 1850. The current lieutenant governor is Eleni Kounalakis. She is a Democrat and started her term on January 7, 2019. She is the first woman ever elected to this position in California.
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What Does the Lieutenant Governor Do?
The lieutenant governor has many important duties. These jobs mostly involve helping the state run smoothly. They also focus on higher education, managing natural resources, and growing the economy.
Core Duties and Responsibilities
The California Constitution says the lieutenant governor is the leader of the California State Senate. This means they can lead meetings of the Senate. The Constitution also states that if the Governor's office becomes empty, the lieutenant governor becomes the new Governor.
If the Governor is out of California, the lieutenant governor can act as Governor. This means they can sign or reject new laws. They can also make important appointments. However, the lieutenant governor usually only leads the Senate when asked. They also typically do not make big decisions when the Governor is just away for a short time.
Helping Higher Education
The lieutenant governor plays a big role in California's colleges and universities. They are the only elected official who helps make policies for the entire higher education system.
They are a voting member of several important boards. These include the University of California Board of Regents. They also serve on the California State University Board of Trustees. Plus, they are on the Board of Governors for the California Community Colleges. This helps them guide the future of education for students across the state.
Protecting Natural Resources
The lieutenant governor is part of the California State Lands Commission. This group manages a lot of California's land and water. This includes beaches, rivers, lakes, and bays.
The lieutenant governor and the state controller take turns leading this commission each year. When the lieutenant governor is the chair, they also help protect the ocean. They are also part of the California Coastal Commission.
Boosting Economic Growth
The lieutenant governor leads the Commission for Economic Development. This commission works to help California's economy grow. They try to bring new businesses to the state. They also work to increase exports and create new jobs. This helps make California a strong place for businesses.
Other Important Roles
The lieutenant governor also has other specific roles. For example, they might serve on special task forces. These groups are often created by the Governor to work on specific projects. The lieutenant governor also appoints members to certain important committees.
See also
- List of lieutenant governors of California
- List of current United States lieutenant governors
