Pearson Longman PoliticalScienceInteractive Shea, Green, and Smith Living Democracy, Second Texas Edition Chapter 23: The Texas Executive and Bureaucracy

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 23: The Texas Executive and Bureaucracy The Governor and the Executive Branch Plural Executive A fragmented system of authority under which most statewide executive officeholders are elected independently of the governor

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 23: The Texas Executive and Bureaucracy The Governor and the Executive Branch Plural executive Autonomous agencies Sources of conflict –Party differences –Competing agendas Texas Governor Rick Perry

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 23: The Texas Executive and Bureaucracy The Governor and the Executive Branch Legislative Budget Board The panel that makes budgetary recommendations to the full legislature. It is chaired by the lieutenant governor and includes the Speaker of the House and eight other key lawmakers.

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 23: The Texas Executive and Bureaucracy The Governor and the Executive Branch Background and Requirements for Governorship 30 years old, U.S. citizen, resident of Texas for at least 5 years Most are middle-class, white men – Two women – No minorities Experience helpful

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 23: The Texas Executive and Bureaucracy The Governor and the Executive Branch Risks and Rewards Impeachment - Used once, 1917 $115,345 annual salary Legislative powers -State legislative priorities -Informal powers

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 23: The Texas Executive and Bureaucracy The Governor and the Executive Branch Budgetary Powers Governor has little control over the budget Legislative Budget Board and legislature set the budget Legislative Budget Board The panel that makes budgetary recommendations to the full legislature. It is chaired by the lieutenant governor and includes the Speaker of the House and eight other key lawmakers

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 23: The Texas Executive and Bureaucracy The Governor and the Executive Branch Other Powers Governor has power to appoint to state agencies – However, most board members serve 6-year staggered terms to loosen governors control – Two-thirds approval of Senate necessary Appoints justices for higher courts – Board of Pardons and Paroles under governors appointment – necessary Power of extradition Mobilization of Texas National Guard

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 23: The Texas Executive and Bureaucracy The Governor and the Executive Branch Staff Numbers of staff members have fluctuated – High in 1970s: more than 300 – Currently around 200 Staffers often hired for loyalty Functions – Develop strategies – Conduct research Mobilization of Texas National Guard

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 23: The Texas Executive and Bureaucracy Second female governor Fought for handgun control Increased minority participation in the government Pathways Profile: Governor Ann Richards

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 23: The Texas Executive and Bureaucracy Elected Officials of the Executive Branch Successor to Governor – For example Rick Perry became governor when George W. Bush became president Extensive legislative powers Lieutenant Governor

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 23: The Texas Executive and Bureaucracy Elected Officials of the Executive Branch Attorney General Attorney General The state’s chief legal officer, who represents Texas in lawsuits and is responsible for enforcing the state’s antitrust, consumer protection, and other civil laws Current Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 23: The Texas Executive and Bureaucracy Pathways of Action: Attorney General Dan Morales and the Tobacco Settlement Second Latino to gain statewide office As attorney general, sued tobacco industry Found guilty of mail fraud and filing a false tax return

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 23: The Texas Executive and Bureaucracy Elected Officials of the Executive Branch Gained additional power in 1990 and 1991 – Now also audits local school districts – Oversight over other state agencies Comptroller of Public Accounts The state’s primary tax administrator, accounting officer, and revenue estimator Susan Combs, Texas Comptroller

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 23: The Texas Executive and Bureaucracy Elected Officials of the Executive Branch Commissioner of Agriculture Secretary of State State Treasurer Elected Boards and Commissions –Texas Railroad Commission –State Board of Education Other Officials

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 23: The Texas Executive and Bureaucracy The Texas Bureaucracy Growth of the Texas Government

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 23: The Texas Executive and Bureaucracy The Texas Bureaucracy Texas bureaucracy stronger than some, because legislature meets so seldom Growth of bureaucracy, especially in 1980s, 1990s Bureaucrats and Public Policy –Plays a role in every stage of policy making Implementation –A new agency may be created, or an existing one may take on new tasks Nature and Structure

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 23: The Texas Executive and Bureaucracy The Texas Bureaucracy Bureaucrats blamed for problems, but other roadbumps may be to blame Conditions may change Professionals that are the subject of regulation may control an agency Obstacles to Policy Implementation

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 23: The Texas Executive and Bureaucracy Bureaucratic Strategies Revolving Door The practice of former members of state boards and commissions or key employees of agencies leaving state government for more lucrative jobs with the industries they used to regulate Controls and Checks

Shea, Green, and Smith, Living Democracy, Second Texas EditionCopyright 2009 Pearson Longman Chapter 23: The Texas Executive and Bureaucracy Bureaucratic Strategies Restructure bureaucracy Legislative changes Replace personnel Use the budget as a tool to bring about change Put in place revolving door restrictions Use performance reviews and merit rewards Revolving Door The practice of former members of state boards and commissions or key employees of agencies leaving state government for more lucrative jobs with the industries they used to regulate Controlling the Bureaucracy