An examination of California Governor Gavin Newsom's released calendars indicates a substantial allocation of his time towards activities that appear to extend beyond his state responsibilities, according to a review by The New York Post. The governor is reportedly on pace to miss 54 workdays in 2026, following a period where he logged no government business on 18 tax-funded workdays in the first four months of the year. This tally does not include 53 entries marked as "work time" or 17 partially redacted entries.
The calendars were released following a delay and legal action, and are described as incomplete. Critics suggest the schedules reveal a governor whose focus is on elevating his national profile and preparing for a potential presidential run in 2028, rather than addressing pressing issues within California.
These issues, as highlighted in the analysis, include chronic homelessness, affordability crises, shortages in housing, water, and energy, as well as challenges in public education, over-taxation, government underperformance, fraud, crime, and the influence of special interests in Sacramento.
Instead of focusing on these state-level challenges, Newsom has reportedly engaged in foreign travel, including trips to Davos and Munich, conducted a book tour across early-primary voting states, and sought favorable media coverage. The governor also reportedly spent 19 hours preparing for a one-hour State of the State address.
During one instance, Newsom traveled to Michigan to appear with a candidate for the U.S. Senate. While the governor's team stated the trip was to support other Democrats, the analysis posits that such political engagements underscore a focus on national politics over state governance.
The review suggests a pattern of behavior by Newsom that prioritizes appearances and a burgeoning national political image, potentially at the expense of his duties as governor of the nation's most populous state. The article concludes that public scrutiny of these schedules is beneficial for transparency, allowing Californians and the broader electorate to assess the governor's priorities.
