Tx govt ch 6
The administrative responsibilities are fragmented among more than_________state boards and commissions.
200?
What is special session?( Characteristics)
30 day session called on by the governor to discuss whatever piece of legislation he wants to.
What affect has the increase in cost of campaign had in the gubernatorial election's?
A candidate's personal wealth or ability to raise large sums of money has taken on increased importance. Otherwise-qualified prospects are dissuaded from running for governor and other offices because of the difficult burden of fund-raising.
What is pay-as-you-go principle?
A constitutional prohibition against state government borrowing money from its operating budget
What is plural executive?
A fragmented system of authority under which most statewide, executive officeholders are elected independently of the governor. This arrangement, which is used in Texas, places severe limitations on the governor's power.
What are the constitutional requirements to be governor?
A governor must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen, and a resident of Texas for at least five years.
Who was the first woman to be elected governor of Texas?
Ann Richards
Why is there a great potential for conflict in the executive branch?
Because heads of several executive agencies are elected independently of the governor It's a two party state
Which 2 boards or commissions have elected members?
Texas Railroad Commission and the State Board of Education
What makes the Commissioner of Agriculture different from other executive offices?
It is created by statute rather than by the constitution
What happens when the governor neither signs nor veto's a bill during the allotted time?
it becomes law
How many days does the governor have to veto a bill when the legislature is in session? When is it adjourned?
-10 days -20 days
What are the governor's military powers?
-Acts as commander-in-chief of the state's military forces -Appoints the adjutant general -Mobilizes the national guard to protect lives and property, and to keep the peace
What are the governor's judicial powers?
-Appoints members of the Board of Pardons and Paroles -Grants executive clemency ~Thirty-day stay of execution ~Commutation of a death sentence to life in prison ~Full or conditional pardons -Responsible for ordering state officials to carry out extradition proceedings
What is the process for impeachment of the governor?
-Charges brought by the House of Representatives -Removal follows a trial and conviction in the Senate.
How does the governor use mass media to carry out the duties of his office?
-Communicate policy objectives to the general public to mobilize public opinion -Strategies: ~Press conferences, news leaks, and trial balloons ~Use of public opinion polls ~Staging pseudo-events to emphasize issues ~Use of radio and television ~Twitter alerts
What is the role of the governors staff?
-Organization reflects leadership styles. ~Highly centralized or may seek greater contact with advisors ~Affects the flow of information to the governor -Chosen for their media and public relations skills or policy expertise ~Help develop policy agendas and legislative strategies ~Function as the governor's surrogates
What does it take to override a governor's veto?
2/3 vote from both the house and senate
What are the main legislative powers of the governor granted by the Constitution?
-State of the State address ~Establish a policy agenda -Special sessions ~Last for up to thirty days each ~Governor controls the agenda. -Veto power ~Overridden by a two-thirds vote in the House and Senate ~Can veto bills up to twenty days after the close of a legislative session
What are the informal resources of the governor?
-governor staff -mass media -political party -interest groups
What are the governor's powers? Who does he share it with? Which one has more influence on the legislature?
-legislative, budgetary, appointive, judicial, and military powers -other elected officials -
Know the primary responsibilities and powers of the other offices in the plural executive: Lt. governor, Attorney general, Comptroller of Public Accounts, Commissioner of General Land Office, Commissioner of Agriculture, Secretary of State.
1) Lt. gov: (Dan Patrick holds office) -Primarily a legislative office with few administrative duties -Considered by some to be the most powerful state office -Presides over the Senate -Chairs the Legislative Budget Board -Succeeds the governor if the governor dies, is incapacitated, or is removed from office 2) Attorney general: (Ken Paxton) -Serves as the state's chief legal officer -Represents the state in litigation -Enforces antitrust and consumer protection laws -Provides for child support collection -Creates advisory opinions on the legality of actions by state and local agencies or officials 3) Comptroller of Public Accounts: (Glenn Hegar) -Serves as the state's tax administrator, accounting officer, and revenue estimator -Assumed the state treasurer's duties in 1995 -Provides a revenue estimate of state income to guide budget preparation -Must certify that the state budget falls within revenue projections 4) Commissioner of General Land Office: (George P. Bush) -Manages state-owned lands and mineral rights ~Revenues are earmarked for the Permanent University Fund and Permanent School Fund. -Responsible for the Veterans Land Program -Develops environmental programs ~Plans for dealing with oil spills ~Preventing soil erosion along Texas beaches ~Don't Mess with Texas! 5) Commissioner of Agriculture: (Sid Miller) -Statutory officer who regulates agriculture -Administers consumer protection laws ~Weights and measures ~Packaging and labeling ~Marketing -Supports agricultural research and education programs 6) Secretary of State: (Carlos Cascos) -Appointed by the governor -Grants charters to corporations -Processes the extradition of prisoners -Administers state election laws ~Reviews local and county election procedures ~Develops statewide voter registration policy
What are some difficulties with having a plural executive? [section 6.1 The Potential for Conflict in the Plural Executive]
Conflict may occur between other members of the executive branch including those who may be in the same party
What are the governor's appointment powers? What is the top appointed official in the executive branch?
Powers: -Selects members to serve on more than 200 boards and commissions -Subject to Senate confirmation -Many serve six-year staggered terms. -Limited ability to remove appointees -Filling vacancies ~State, district, appellate courts; U.S. Senate seats; and all statewide offices except the lieutenant governor Top appointed official: -secretary of state
What led Texans to limit the powers of the governor in the constitution of 1876?
Radical Reconstruction policies and the abuses of Governor Edmund Davis's administration prompted Texans to put strict limits on the power of the governor in the Constitution of 1876
What is the make up and primary responsibilities of the Texas Railroad Commission? State Board of Education?
Texas Railroad Commission: -Three members; each one elected statewide to staggered six-year terms -Oversees railroad safety and oil, natural gas, and mining industries State Board of Education: -Fifteen members, each one elected from a single-member district -Key responsibilities: ~Translating legislative mandates into public policy ~Investment of money in the Permanent School Fund ~Oversight of textbook selection and curriculum standards ~Administration of the Texas Education Agency
How do staggered terms of the state boards and commissions affect the governor?
That means it takes a new governor at least two years to get majorities favoring his or her policies on most boards.
Who becomes the governor if he or she is removed from office, resigns, or dies or become incapacitated while in office?
The lieutenant governor replaces the governor until the next general election.
What is the most visible office in the state of Texas?
The office of the governor
