Texas Executive

1
Texas Executive

• The Governor and the Plural Executive

2
I Need to See . . .

• Ishan Dosani
• Laura Ellis
• Zohra Kajani
• Lauren Mickle

3
Selecting the Governor

• Now Four-year terms
• Elections in off-years such as 2006
• Coincide with midterm elections rather than
  presidential elections
• So presidential politics dont affect governors
  race
• Result is turnout is low
• Campaigns begin in January of election year

4
Candidates

• One from each party chosen through primary
  elections
• Independents
• Need 45,540 petition signatures (can only sign if
  you didnt vote in the primary)

5
When the Governor Is Away . . . .

• Lt. Governor takes his position, even when
  governor is just out of the state
• On those days, both individuals pull the full
  salary of the governor (316 / day compared to
  20 / day for regular Lt. Gov. salary)
• Governor is entitled to police protection when
  out of the state

6
Powers of the Governor

• Introduce legislation/budget
• Veto
• Post-adjournment veto
• Line-item veto
• Bully pulpit / power of persuasion
• Call special sessions of legislature and set
  agendas for them

7
Powers of the Governor

• Appoint executive branch officials
• Other than those directly elected by people
• Requires 2/3 senate approval once senate convenes
• senatorial courtesy requires approval of the
  state senator from the nominees district
• Appoint judges (to fill vacancies)
• Only until the next election (judges are elected)
• Still, gives governors pick the incumbency
  advantage

8
Generally . . . .

• Texas governors are weak by design
• Power fragmented among executive offices and the
  plural executive
• Much of the governors power depends on political
  skill

9
Diffuse Executive Power The Plural Executive

• Other executive officials
• Secretary of State appointed by the governor
• All other members of the plural executive are
  elected by the people
• Lt. Governor
• Attorney General
• Comptroller
• Land Office Commissioner
• Agriculture Commissioner

10
Weak Governor

• Texas removes agencies from gubernatorial control
  by
• Having the heads independently elected
• Limiting the power of the governor to remove the
  people he appoints

11
Secretary of State

• Maintains government records
• Articles of incorporation
• Debt agreements / loan documentation
• Oversees voter registration and elections

12
Lt. Governor

• Elected independently (doesnt run on a ticket
  with the governor)
• Acting governor and governors successor
• Significant legislative power
• President of the Senate
• Actually involved in debate and votes
• Legislative Redistricting Committee
• Legislative Budget Board Chair

13
Attorney General

• Texass lawyer represents the state whenever
  the state is sued and pursues litigation on
  behalf of the state
• Includes child support collection
• Issues opinions to other agencies re the meaning
  of legislation and the legality of state action

14
Comptroller of Public Accounts

• Texass Accountant
• Collects revenue
• Projects future revenue and outlays
• Returns abandoned money (eg. Savings accounts and
  insurance policies)
• Invests the states money (only in certain
  financial institutions)

15
Commissioner of the General Land Office

• Maintains public lands (parks, etc.)
• Controls mineral rights and development of such
  on public land
• Operates the Veterans Land Program

16
Commissioner of Agriculture

• Enforces all agricultural laws, including animal
  quarantines
• Inspects farms and foodstuffs they produce
• Weights and measures

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Also Independently Elected

• Railroad Commission
• Education Commission
• Sets curriculum
• Standardized testing!

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Other Boards and Commissions

• Rest of the executive branch (the bureaucracy) is
  run by individuals appointed by the governor,
  confirmed by the senate