Virginia Tomorrow

Bob McDonnell announced this morning that Bill Bolling “is about to become the busiest Lieutenant Governor in America.”

The Governor-Elect announced that Bolling will hold a Cabinet level appointment as “Chief Jobs Creation Officer,” that he will chair the “Job Creation and Economic Opportunity Task Force,”  that he will lead a multi-secretariat Job Creation Work Group, and that he will coordinate economic development activities across Virginia state government.

This was an important announcement for a number of reasons.

First, it signals McDonnell’s confidence in Bolling. In essence, McDonnell has established Bolling as a key player on the central agenda items of his administration. This goes far beyond any “debt” that the Governor-Elect may have owed Bolling for his willingness not to contest the gubernatorial nomination.

Second, it signifies a major elevation of the Lieutenant Governor’s role in Virginia state government and a major departure from what has been the case with almost every other LG. 

My sources tell me that there was serious discussion about whether the additional responsibilities and job titles assumed by the LG should be accompanied  by increased financial remuneration. The incoming administration came to a consensus (and Bolling was part of the consensus) that it wouldn’t be appropriate to do this and that he will be assuming the new obligations while remaining officially part-time.

Third, Bolling’s position at the center of McDonnell’s policy agenda will make it far easier to assess and judge his success as Lieutenant Governor four years from now.

In one way, this is an incredible opportunity- Bolling will spend the next four years working extremely closely with the very people who fund political campaigns in Virginia.

Not a bad way for a Lieutenant Governor to pass the time!

But it will also, of course,  make it much easier for others to judge how well he has performed.

As said in my last post, I tend not to believe that state government can reverse national economic trends, including job loss or job creation, by itself.

But it is also the case that some states are better than others in workforce development, scientific innovation, and in attracting skilled and creative individuals to reside there.

In the Democratic primary campaign, Terry McAuliffe noted that Virginia was not necessarily where it could be on these kind of economic development matters. I’m coming to believe that the McDonnell administration may share his perspective.

The redefinition of the LG’s role may be a good indication of how much work the Governor-Elect thinks has to be done in this arena.