Georgia
Studies
Unit 8 – Executive Branch in
Georgia
Lesson 3 – Executive Branch
in Georgia
Study Presentation
Lesson 3 - Executive
Branch in Georgia
• ESSENTIAL QUESTION
– How does the governor and the agencies of the
executive branch protect the citizens of the
state?
Federal System
• In a Federal system of government powers are
shared between the national and state
governments.
• The Federal government is divided into three
branches – Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.
• The State government of Georgia is also divided
into three branches – Legislative, Executive, and
Judicial.
• The United States Executive Branch is led by the
President and Vice President.
• GA’s Executive Branch is led by the Governor and
Lieutenant Governor.
Governor and
Lieutenant Governor
• Qualifications – Both the Governor and
Lieutenant Governor of Georgia must be at
least 30 years old and citizens of the US for
at least 15 years. Also, both must have
been residents of Georgia for at least 6
years.
• Term – The term of office for the Governor
and Lieutenant Governor is 4 years. The
Governor may run for and serve a second
term. For the Lieutenant Governor there is
no limit on the number of terms.
Governor and
Lieutenant Governor
• Election – Both the Governor and
Lieutenant Governor are elected by the
citizens of Georgia.
• Unlike the President and Vice President of
the United States the Governor and
Lieutenant Governor of Georgia do not run
on the same ticket or need to be in the
same party.
Duties of the Governor
• Head of state and leader of the Executive
Branch.
• Commander-in-chief of Georgia’s military.
• Can veto legislation from the General Assembly.
• Appoints people to lead many executive offices.
• Addresses the GA legislature in a State of the
State speech.
• Director of the state budget – Gives a report to
the GA legislature with suggestions as to where
and how state money is to be spent.
Duties of the
Lieutenant Governor
• Serves as Governor if current Governor dies or
gets too sick to work.
• Serves as President of the state Senate –
Decides committee memberships and chooses
committee chairs.
Organization of the
Executive Branch
• Made up of many different offices, or departments.
Leaders of the departments are either chosen directly
by Georgia voters or are appointed by the Governor.
• Examples of Departments with Elected Commissioners:
Office
Department of Agriculture
Purpose
Helps farmers; informs public about
matters related to food and animals
Office of the Commissioner of Oversees programs related to health,
Insurance
safety, and life insurance
Department of Labor
Offers services related to jobs, taxes,
and wages.
Organization of the
Executive Branch
• Examples of Departments with Appointed Commissioners:
Office
Purpose
Department of Corrections
Runs the state’s prisons; supervises
people on probation
Department of Defense
Oversees the Georgia National Guard
and State Defense Force
Department of Education
Oversees GA’s public schools
Department of Natural
Resources
Runs programs to protect GA beaches,
mountains, forests, and natural resources
Department of
Transportation
Oversees work on bridges, roads, and
provides traffic and transportation
information; issues drivers licenses