Gavin Newsom, AWOL: Maybe he was getting his hair done

Gavin Newsom’s official calendar confirms what Californians have suspected for months: Governing California is no longer his full-time job.The California Post’s exclusive review of Newsom’s official calendars found 18 weekdays during the first four months of this year marked “no official business.” His typical recorded workday ran about seven hours, with many days beginning after 9 a.m.and ending before 5 p.m.There were also 53 blocks labeled simply “WORK TIME,” along with days when the governor’s only listed activity lasted barely an hour.California’s problems certainly do not appear to be commanding the governor’s full attention.Newsom’s office says the calendars are incomplete.

Unscheduled calls, reading, travel and informal discussions may not appear.That is fair.It does not explain why Californians had to wait three months, or why The Post’s attorneys had to get involved, just to obtain a calendar Newsom’s office now says does not tell the whole story.

It also does not explain why 34 entries remain partially or entirely blacked out.Newsom is forever demanding transparency from everyone else.When it comes to his own schedule, he treats basic public information like a state secret.The calendars do show that the governor can work long hours when he wants to.He spent more than 19 hours rehearsing his final State of the State speech, a 65-minute production that received tepid reviews.

He devoted plenty of time to overseas travel, diplomatic meetings, media appearances and prestige events.He found 100 minutes for a Vogue prep session and interview that produced a profile gushing about his looks and “eminence.” Marie Claire got access to promote his wife.Bloomberg cast him as an economic maestro.California reporters trying to determine how he actually runs California got redactions and legal arguments.When the subject is his image, his memoir, his wife, his national profile or his presidential future, Newsom’s schedule fills up.

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