The Executive Branch SS8CG3 The students will analyze the role of the executive branch in Georgia state government Explain the qualifications, term, election and duties of the governor and lieutenant governor. Describe the organization of the executive branch, with emphasis on major policy areas of state programs.

>The Executive Branch of the federal and state government is run by the chief executive officer which is the President or the Governor.

Georgia’s Governor Governor: leader of the state’s executive branch Qualifications: 30 years old or more U.S. citizen for at least 15 years GA resident for at least 6 years Terms of Office: 4 years May run for a second term

Milledgeville, GA Photo by Catherine Hackney

Governor Election: Elected by the citizens Does not run on the same ticket or need to be in the same party as Lieutenant Governor.

depositing their ballots 4/30/38

Duties: Head of state/leader of Executive Branch Commander in chief of GA’s military Can veto legislation by the state legislature Signs bills into law Can use the floor leader of the House to suggest new legislation

Duties Continued: Appoints people to lead many executive offices Addresses the GA legislature in a “State of the State” speech Director of the state budget Reports to the GA legislature with suggestions on how to spend state money

(above)Current Governor’s Mansion, Atlanta. (right) Entrance to the Old Executive Mansion in Milledgeville, GA.

Formal powers of the Governor Managing the states budget (receiving/spending money) Directing the attorney general to act as a representative in lower court cases involving state law “State of the State” address Preparing budget bills for the House of Representatives Commander in Chief for GA National Guard Heads GA’s defense units Sending GA Highway patrol and GBI into communities in times of danger Formal powers of the Governor

Governor Sonny Perdue with Georgia’s National Guard.

Informal powers of the Governor Communicating to the public a personal position on issues of interest to all Georgians Acting as honorary head of the political party Issuing proclamations to honor individuals, holidays, or special events Representing the state in meetings with state officials Meet with business leaders to expand their business in GA Working with legislators to get laws passed Guiding state agencies Informal powers of the Governor

Lieutenant Governor Qualifications: same as Governor 30 years old or more U.S. citizen for at least 15 years GA resident for at least 6 years Term of Office: 4 years No limit on the number of terms

Even though the Lt. Governor is part of the Executive Branch he is the presiding officer Of the Georgia Senate.

Lieutenant Governor Election: Elected by the citizens of the state Does not run on the same ticket or need to be in the same party as the governor

Lieutenant Governor Duties: Serves as governor if current governor dies or gets too sick to work As the President of the Senate, decides committee memberships and committee chairs

Executive Branch Officials Within the Executive Branch of Georgia there are officials other than the Governor and Lt. Governor: 7 departments with elected Chairmen or Commissioners most with 4 year terms other departments with appointed officials (set up by the state’s constitution) more departments not spelled out in the constitution that are run by appointed statutory officials

Organization of Executive Branch Departments with Elected Commissioners: Department of Law: State Attorney General is the head of this dept., chief legal officer of the state Department of Agriculture: farming, matters relating to food/animals, Commissioner of Agriculture is chair Office of the Commissioner of Insurance: health, safety, and life insurance regulations,

elected officials continued… Organizations with elected officials continued… Labor Department: services for jobs, taxes, wages, unemployment benefits, and job training, Commissioner of Labor is chair Department of State: maintains state records, supervises elections, regulates securities, stocks and bonds, Secretary of State is head of this dept. Department of Education: licenses teachers, approves textbooks, directs statewide education programs, administers funds, State School Superintendent Public Service Commissioners: regulates utility and transportation companies, (6 year term)

The elected Commissioners all serve a 4 year terms except for the 5 members of the Public Service Commission which these commissioners rotate 6 year terms.

Organizations of Executive Branch Departments with Appointed Commissioners: Department of Corrections: prisons Department of Defense: state National Guard Department of Education: oversees GA’s public school system/funding/programs Department of Natural Resources: protects GA’s beaches, mountains, forests, and other natural resources Department of Transportation: repair for roads, bridges; traffic/transportation information Organizations of Executive Branch

Election Memorabilia

Election Day, November 1, 1868

Title: HARDWICK, THOMAS WILLIAM, REP Title: HARDWICK, THOMAS WILLIAM, REP. FROM GEORGIA, 1902-1914; SENATOR, 1914-1919; GOVERNOR, 1921-1923. GROUP: HARDWICK, DR. M.L. BRITTAIN, GA. COMMR. ED.; N.A. HARRIS, GOVERNOR OF GEORGIA; SEN. HOKE SMITH

Review The executive branch operates at the federal and state level. Governor of Georgia election, duties, qualifications, and terms Georgia’s Lt. Governor duties, qualifications and terms Other departments of the executive branch Review