Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman

The Texas Executive and Bureaucracy CHAPTER 20

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman The Governor and the Executive Branch Assess the powers of the governor. Elected Officials of the Executive Branch Identify the key elected officials of the Texas executive branch. The Texas Bureaucracy and Bureaucratic Strategies Outline the main functions of the Texas bureaucracy. Key Objectives Click on buttons to go to the relevant slide

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives The Governor and the Executive Branch The Office of the Governor is composed of a plural executive Assess the powers of the governor. 20.1

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives 20.1 Executive Branch in Texas

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives The Governor and the Executive Branch The office of the governor Background and requirements for office Salary and perks Impeachment or incapacitation 20.1

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives The Governor and the Executive Branch The governor’s staff –Loyal and share the governor’s basic political attitudes –Some are hired for policy expertise –All function as surrogates –Collect, organize, and screen information. –Function as ‘gatekeepers’ and schedule the governor’s time 20.1

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives The Governor and the Executive Branch Powers of the governor –Legislative –Budgetary –Appointive and removal –Clemency –Military 20.1

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives The Governor and the Executive Branch The Governor and the public –The mass media –Political parties –Interest groups 20.1

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives The Governor and the Executive Branch Informal resources of the governor –Constitutional limitations can be mitigated through a governor’s informal powers –Credit and blame for solutions or problems can easily be attributed to a governor 20.1

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Which member is the only member of the executive office that is not elected? A.Attorney general B.Education commissioner C.Railroad commissioner D.Secretary of state 20.1

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Which member is the only member of the executive office that is not elected? A.Attorney general B.Education commissioner C.Railroad commissioner D.Secretary of state 20.1

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Elected Officials of the Executive Branch Lieutenant governor Attorney general Comptroller of public accounts Commissioner of the General Land Office Commissioner of agriculture Secretary of state (appointed) Identify the key elected officials of the Texas executive branch. 20.2

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Elected Officials of the Executive Branch Lieutenant governor –Serves as president of the senate –First in line of succession to the governor. –Chairs the Legislative Budget Board and is a member of Texas Redistricting Board 20.2

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Elected Officials of the Executive Branch Attorney General –Serves as the chief legal officer for the state –The office of attorney general is the collector and disperser of child-support funds –Provides advisory opinions on the interpretation of law for state and locally elected officials –Member of the Texas Redistricting Board 20.2

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Elected Officials of the Executive Branch Comptroller of public accounts Texas’ accounting officer –Collects state taxes –Estimates and certifies annual revenues –Ensures pay-as-you-go model is adhered to Serves as a member of the Redistricting Board 20.2

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Elected Officials of the Executive Branch Commissioner of the General Land Office –Manages all state-owned land –Oversees mineral leases –Manages Veteran’s Land Program –Serves as a member of the Texas Redistricting Board 20.2

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Elected Officials of the Executive Branch Commissioner of agriculture –Implements laws and regulates the agricultural sector of Texas’ economy –Enforces consumer protection respecting the accuracy of weights and measures, packaging and labeling and marketing 20.2

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Elected Officials of the Executive Branch State Treasurer –Office abolished by constitutional amendment in 1995 and duties were transferred to comptroller 20.2

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Elected Officials of the Executive Branch Secretary of State –Appointed by the governor –Keeper of the State Seal –Grants business charters –Processes extradition orders of prisoners –Administers state election law and archives election results 20.2

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Elected Officials of the Executive Branch Elected Boards and Commissions –Railroad Commission 3 state-wide elected members serving 6-year staggered terms –State Board of Education 15 member panel elected in state-wide partisan races 20.2

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Which member of the Texas Executive does not serve on the Redistricting Board? A.Comptroller of public accounts B.Lieutenant governor C.Land commissioner D.Attorney general 20.2

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Which member of the Texas Executive does not serve on the Redistricting Board? A.Comptroller of public accounts B.Lieutenant governor C.Land commissioner D.Attorney general 20.2

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives The Texas Bureaucracy and Bureaucratic Strategies Growth of government –Many services performed by local governments—including education, fire and police protection, and sanitation services— require large numbers of workers and substantial funds –Efforts to curtail government growth and spending have met with only marginal success Outline the main functions of the Texas bureaucracy. 20.3

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives 20.3

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives The Texas Bureaucracy and Bureaucratic Strategies Bureaucrats and public policy –The bureaucracy does more than carry out the policies set by the legislature –The legislature attempts to control agencies through oversight and appropriations 20.3

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives The Texas Bureaucracy and Bureaucratic Strategies Policy implementation –Agencies are either appointed or if none exists that are appropriate to do so, are created to implement policy –Most agency employees take pride in their work and attempt to be conscientious in their duties of delivering goods or services to the public 20.3

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives The Texas Bureaucracy and Bureaucratic Strategies Obstacles to policy implementation –The public tends to blame bureaucrats for excessive red tape, inefficiency, poor management, or incompetence Problem policies Special interests The revolving door 20.3

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives The Texas Bureaucracy and Bureaucratic Strategies Strategies for controlling the bureaucracy –Legislative budgetary control –Sunset legislation –Performance reviews –Merit systems 20.3

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives One of the legislature’s most effective means of controlling agencies is A.appointing competent agency heads. B.annual sunset reviews. C.firing incompetent bureaucrats. D.limiting appropriations. 20.3

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives One of the legislature’s most effective means of controlling agencies is A.appointing competent agency heads. B.annual sunset reviews. C.firing incompetent bureaucrats. D.limiting appropriations. 20.3

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives What do you think: Should the Texas Legislature abolish the State Board of Education? NO. The elected members of this body reflect the ideas and wishes of their constituents about what should or should not part of the public school curriculum YES. Members elected to this body are not necessarily professional educators and have little understanding of curriculum and pedagogy.

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives What do you think: Should there be a term limit on the office of governor? NO. It should be the electorate that determines the length of time a governor is returned to office. YES. Not enough people pay attention and vote anymore and incumbents always have the advantage.

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Back to Learning Objectives Credits 746 AP Images/L.M. Otero; 750 Roger Mallison/ MCT/Landov; 752 Richard Sobel/Sipa Press; 754 AP Images/Tony Gutierrez; 756 Brian Harkin/MCT/Landov; 757 Michael Stravato/The New York Times/Redux Pictures; 761 AP Images/The Houston Chronicle/Julio Cortez; 767, top to bottom: AP Images/Harry Cabluck; Bob Daemmrich;Texas State Archives;AP Images/Harry Cabluck