Texas Executive Branch
• Essential Questions:
– Compare the
principles and
concepts of the Texas
Constitution and U.S.
Constitution
– Describe the structure
and function of
government at the
state level
The Function of the Executive
Branch
• Execute or carry out
the laws and policies
established by the
legislature
• Executive power is
shared by those
elected and those
appointed by the
governor
The Governor of Texas
• 4-year term with no term
limits
• 48 Texas governors
• Greg Abbott is the current
governor
• Rick Perry is the previous
governor and longest
serving governor in Texas
history
• Miriam Ferguson (1924,
1932) and Ann Richards
(1990) are the only
women to serve as
Texas governor
Executive Powers of the
Governor
• Makes appointments to
boards and commissions.
• Can remove officials that
have engaged in
misconduct from their
positions
• The Senate must approve
the governor’s decision to
remove anyone he or she
has appointed to a board
or commission
Legislative Powers of the
Governor
• Three of importance:
– Address the legislature
– Power of veto
• The line-term veto
– Allowed by the Texas
Constitution
– Gives governor power
to reject particular
items in
appropriations bills
(spending)
– Calls special sessions
Other Powers of the Governor
• Appoints members to Board of
Pardons and Paroles, the Board
of Criminal Justice, the Texas
Youth Commission, and other law
enforcement commissions
• Can delay execution of prisoners
• Can appoint judges to fill
vacancies until regular elections
are held
• Represents Texas at meetings,
celebrations, and ceremonies
• Serves as commander in chief of
Texas
– In charge of the Texas State Guard
– Can declare martial law in case of a
state emergency
Other Elected Members
• Five other elected
members that operate
outside the governor’s
control:
– Lieutenant Governor
– Attorney General
– Comptroller of Public
Accounts
– Commissioner of the
General Land Office
– Commissioner of
Agriculture
The State Board of Education
• The State Board of
Education manages
and invests in the $20
billion Permanent
School Fund used to
finance education in
Texas public schools.
• Barbara Cargill is the
current Chair of
SBOE. She
represents Houston
and Southeast Texas.