California Gov. Jerry Brown cutting down on number of speeches

Reporting from Sacramento —  California Gov. Jerry Brown has a reputation for being frugal with taxpayer money, but now he is also cutting back on the number of speeches he gives.

Brown’s aides said Monday that when he takes the oath of office Jan. 5 for his fourth term, his inaugural speech in the state Assembly Chambers in Sacramento will also serve as the governor’s constitutionally required annual report to the Legislature, also known as the state-of-the-state address.

Although, Brown has given separate speeches in the past, he thought combining them this year would save time and be “cost efficient,” said Evan Westrup, a spokesman for the governor.

There is precedent. Brown gave one speech in 1975, and his father, former Gov. Pat Brown, combined the speeches as did Govs. Goodwin Knight and Earl Warren, Westrup said.

Even combining the two speeches leaves Brown with multiple occasions to address state residents on important issues in January.

The governor always makes a big speech during the release of the state budget, which he is required to do by Jan. 10.