CHAPTER 8:
THE
GOVERNOR
Current Texas Governor
Rick Perry (a Republican), was sworn in as
Texas’ 47th governor on December 21, 2000.
He was elected to a four-year term on
November 5, 2002.
Formal/Informal Qualifications
for Becoming Governor
 Formal:
– 30 years of age
– American citizen and citizen of Texas for five years prior to
election
 Informal:
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WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant)
Male (there have only been two female governors in TX)
Middle-aged Successful Businessperson or Attorney
Conservative-to-Moderate candidate
Governor’s Tenure, Removal, &
Succession
4 year term
No limits on number of terms
Can be removed from office only by
impeachment (requires simple majority of
legislative members present; conviction
requires 2/3 vote of Senate)
Lieutenant Governor is next in the line of
succession
Governor’s Compensation
Salary is set by the legislature
Present salary is $115,345 (among highest in
the nation)
Governor’s Mansion
Expense account
Professional staff
Governor’s Tools of Persuasion
 Informal or extra-legal powers: Powers that are not stated in
rules, laws, or the constitution, but are usually derived from
these legal powers.
 Formal or legal powers: Powers stated in rules, laws, or the
constitution.
 Informal and formal powers are enhanced by other conditions
such as the governor having:
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a strong personality
political expertise
prestige
knack for public relations and political drama
good press relations
supporters with economic and political strength
a favorable political climate
good luck
Legislative Tools of Persuasion
 The Veto: Executive power to reject a proposed law
unless a majority votes to override governor’s
opposition.
 The Item Veto: Executive power to veto sections of a
bill, but allowing remainder of bill to become law.
Limited to appropriation bills only.
 Presession Bargaining: Negotiation that lets governor
and legislative leaders reach necessary compromises
prior to start of the session.
Legislative Tools of Persuasion
(cont.)
 Message Power: Allows governor to focus the
attention of the press, legislators, and citizens on
legislative proposals he/she considers important. Also
called the “Bully Pulpit”.
 “Blue Ribbon” Commission: Governor appoints this
commission consisting of influential citizens,
politicians, and members of concerned special interest
groups. Measures public reaction to proposals.
Executive Tools of Persuasion
 Appointive Powers: An effective governor will use the power
of appointment to the maximum.
– Senatorial Courtesy: Senators have some influence over
appointments due to senatorial courtesy, giving them power
to reject appointments of a political enemy from their
senatorial district. Other senators show courtesy by not
approving the appointee.
 Removal Powers: The governor is very limited in powers of
removal.
 Chief of State: The governor serves as the symbol of TX,
performs ceremonial duties, and represents the state at meetings
with foreign officials and other governors.
Executive Tools of Persuasion
(cont.)
 Clemency Powers: Governor is very limited in his
power to grant clemency (relief from criminal
punishment).
 Budget Powers: The governor is designated the Chief
Budget Officer of the state, however his/her proposals
are usually not as influential as the Legislative Budget
Board, headed by the Lt. Governor.
 Law Enforcement/Military Powers: The governor has
very little law enforcement powers, however, he/she is
the Commander-In-Chief of the Texas National Guard
and Texas State Guard.
Texas Governor is a Weak
Governor
When compared to governors in other states,
the TX governor is weak.
The denial of power to the governor (and
legislature) has created a power vacuum in
government that is filled willingly by interest
groups and administrative agencies.
Chief of Party
 The governor is the most visible leader of her or his
party, and usually exercises influence within the party
by controlling its executive committee. This party
control permits what is considered one of the most
powerful tools of the governor’s office: rewarding
supporters with political patronage. As party leader, the
governor may lead the party’s delegation to the national
nominating convention and thus become involved in
presidential politics. By stepping into the national
political spotlight the governor can enhance his or her
image at home by taking stands on issues (e.g., illegal
immigration) over which she or he has little or no
control but with which people identify.