Texas Executive
The Governor and the
Plural Executive
I Need to See . . .
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Ishan Dosani
Laura Ellis
Zohra Kajani
Lauren Mickle
Selecting the Governor
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Now – Four-year terms
Elections in “off-years” – such as 2006
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Coincide with “midterm elections” rather than
presidential elections
So presidential politics don’t affect governor’s
race
Result is turnout is low
Campaigns begin in January of election year
Candidates
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One from each party – chosen through
primary elections
Independents
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Need 45,540 petition signatures (can only sign if
you didn’t vote in the primary)
When the Governor Is Away . . . .
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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
Powers of the Governor
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Introduce legislation/budget
Veto
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Post-adjournment veto
Line-item veto
Bully pulpit / power of persuasion
Call special sessions of legislature and set
agendas for them
Powers of the Governor
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Appoint executive branch officials
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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 nominee’s district
Appoint judges (to fill vacancies)
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Only until the next election (judges are elected)
Still, gives governor’s pick the incumbency advantage
Generally . . . .
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Texas governors are weak – by design
Power fragmented among executive offices
and the “plural executive”
Much of the governor’s power depends on
political skill
Diffuse Executive Power: The
“Plural Executive”
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Other executive officials
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Secretary of State appointed by the governor
All other members of the plural executive are
elected by the people:
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Lt. Governor
Attorney General
Comptroller
Land Office Commissioner
Agriculture Commissioner
Weak Governor
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Texas removes agencies from gubernatorial
control by
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Having the heads independently elected
Limiting the power of the governor to remove the
people he appoints
Secretary of State
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Maintains government records
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Articles of incorporation
Debt agreements / loan documentation
Oversees voter registration and elections
Lt. Governor
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Elected independently (doesn’t run on a
“ticket” with the governor)
“Acting governor” and governor’s successor
Significant legislative power
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President of the Senate
Actually involved in debate and votes
Legislative Redistricting Committee
Legislative Budget Board Chair
Attorney General
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Texas’s lawyer – represents the state
whenever the state is sued and pursues
litigation on behalf of the state
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Includes child support collection
Issues opinions to other agencies re: the
meaning of legislation and the legality of
state action
Comptroller of Public Accounts
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Texas’s Accountant
Collects revenue
Projects future revenue and outlays
Returns abandoned money (eg. Savings
accounts and insurance policies)
Invests the state’s money (only in certain
financial institutions)
Commissioner of the General Land
Office
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Maintains public lands (parks, etc.)
Controls mineral rights and development of
such on public land
Operates the Veterans’ Land Program
Commissioner of Agriculture
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Enforces all agricultural laws, including
animal quarantines
Inspects farms and foodstuffs they produce
Weights and measures
Also Independently Elected
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Railroad Commission
Education Commission
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Sets curriculum
Standardized testing!
Other Boards and Commissions
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Rest of the executive branch (the
bureaucracy) is run by individuals appointed
by the governor, confirmed by the senate