2. Overview Governor’s power limited due to Reactions to E. J. Davis
Texas culture of individualism and traditionalism
Concern of centralized government
Plural executive – created to limit governor’s power

3. Plural Executive
The Executive Branch as described in Article IV of the Texas Constitution is separated into different elected and appointed officials.
The Governor has limited power over the elected bureaucracy.

4. Plural Executive

5. Gubernatorial Politics: Money and Media
Media and money play dominant role in elections of governors.
In 2002, Tony Sanchez spent $67 million on losing campaign to Governor Rick Perry.
In 2006 and 2010, Governor Perry outspent his opponents and won both elections.
Candidates must make good use of media and campaign contributions.

6. Gubernatorial Elections
Formal Qualifications of Governor
30 years of age
U.S. Citizen
Five years of state residency preceding election

7. Gubernatorial Elections
Informal Qualifications of Governor
Party v. Ideology
Gender
Race
Religion
Profession
Income Level
Incumbency
Education

8. Texas Governor

9. Texas Governor’s Compensation
2010 – 2011 – $150,000, which is set in the state budget
Mansion
Staff
Travel
Security – DPS

10. How Do We Compare? How do we compare…in Governor’s Compensation?
How does Texas’ compensation of Governors compare to other largely populated states?
How does Texas’ compensation of Governors compare to surrounding states’?

11. How Do We Compare?

12. Governor’s Order of Succession
Lieutenant Governor
Senate President Pro Tempore
Speaker of the House
Attorney General
Chief Justices of 14 Texas Court of Appeals in ascending order

13. Impeachment
Article XV Section 1 of the Texas Constitution explains process
Articles of Impeachment begin in the Texas House of Representatives with a simple majority vote
To remove the Governor – one or more of the articles must be approved by 2/3 Senators present.
If convicted of impeachment, governor can no longer hold appointed or elected state office

14. Informal Powers of Governor
Powers not based in law but power to persuade in order to convince public and government of policy and state goals
Governor will make use of state ceremonies, speeches, and traditions
The Governor’s Office assists in this process

15. The Office of the Governor

16. Texas Executive Power of the Governor
Appointive Power
Commander in Chief Power
Law Enforcement Power
Budgetary Power
Executive Order and Proclamation Power
Economic Development Power

17. Governor’s Appointment Power
The authority to name a person to a government office
Confirmed with “advise and consent” of the Texas Senate with two-thirds Senate consent
Senatorial Courtesy
Recessive Appointments
Limitations on removal

18. Texas Appointment Power of the Governor
Governor Perry’s Appointment Demographics (as of 2008)
Gender
Male 64%
Female 36%
Anglos
71%
Latino/a
16%
African American
11%
Asian and other 2%

19. State Vacancies
Temporarily fills state elected executives, Railroad Commissioners, State Board of Education members, and judges when they leave office before their term is completed, until the next general election
Fills unoccupied Federal Senate seats until Special Election
Calls special elections for unfilled state legislature seats and federal House of Representative seats

20. Governor as Commander in Chief
Article IV Section 7 – provides that the governor is Commander in Chief for armed forces unless called into action by President of the United States
Texas Army National Guard
Texas Air National Guard
Texas State Guard
Martial Law

21. Governor’s Law Enforcement Power
Texas Department of Public Safety
Texas Public Safety Commission
Texas Rangers

22. Governor’s Budgetary Power
Two budgets made by the state to be reviewed by the State Legislature
One budget is made by the Governor’s Office of Budget, Planning, and Policy
Legislative Budget Board also submits budget
Members of the Legislature review both
Process influenced by Texas State Comptroller of Public Accounts
Process influenced by governor’s veto and line item veto power

23. Governor’s Executive Order and Proclamations Power
Rules followed like laws that set policy within the executive branch and create task forces, councils, and other bodies
Can be limited by legislative and judicial actions
Proclamations
Official public announcement often used for ceremonial purposes

24. Governor’s Economic Development Power
Texas Enterprise Fund
TexasOne
Texas Emerging Technology Fund

25. Point/Counterpoint Executive Order RP65
Should the Governor Direct by Executive Order the Vaccination of Girls Against HPV?
For: future health concerns, rate of infection, and cost
Against: legislative power, moral concern, and special interest influence

26. Legislative Power of Governor

27. Legislative Power of Governor
Message Power
Bill/Concurrent Resolution Signing
Veto – Line Item Veto Power
Special Session Power

28. Governor’s Bill Signing
During the legislative session
Governor has 10 days to decide to sign bill, veto bill, or it becomes law
At end of session
Has 20 days to decide

29. Governor’s Veto Power Veto Post-adjournment Veto Line Item Veto Power
During session, Texas Legislature can override veto with two-thirds vote in both chambers
Post-adjournment Veto
At end of session, governor’s veto stands
Line Item Veto Power
Pork Barrel politics

30. Legislative Special Session
Can only be called by governor
Lasts no more than 30 days
Governor sets the agenda, excluding impeachments and appointments

31. Governor’s Judicial Power
Fill Vacancies (excluding county and city judges)
Limited Removal Power of Jurists
Clemency and Reprieves
State Board of Pardons and Paroles

32. Plural executive created by Texas Constitution and statute
The governor, elected department heads, and the Secretary of State compromise the plural executive
Elected executives are accountable to the voters and do not have to follow governor’s directive

33. Has Executive and Legislative Power Partisan elected four-year term
Lieutenant Governor
Has Executive and Legislative Power
Partisan elected four-year term
President of Senate but not a senator
Vacancy – Members of the Texas Senate select one of the members to be acting Lieutenant Governor until the next general election

34. Elected head of the Office of the Attorney General
Head lawyer for the state representing Texas in lawsuits
Provides legal advice to state and local officials
Advocate of Child Support, Victims Compensation, and Open Records Laws

35. The Comptroller of Public Accounts
Elected as state’s chief accounting officer and tax collector
Certifies the state budget
Four-fifths vote in both chambers to override non-certification of budget by state comptroller
Designates state financial institutions as depositors of state funds
Monitors “Where the Money Goes”

36. The Commissioner of General Land Office
Elected as head of General Land Office
Oversees the state’s extensive land holdings and related mineral land interests, leases, and funding for state Permanent School Fund
Chairman Veteran’s Land Board

37. The Commissioner of Agriculture
Elected head of the Texas Department of Agriculture
Must be a “practicing farmer”
Enforces State Agriculture Laws
Provides service programs for Texas farmers, ranchers, and consumers
Controls Pesticide Programs Division
Conducts inspections, including those of commercial scales, pumps, and meters

38. Texas Secretary of State
Appointed by Governor with two-thirds approval of Senate
Serves four-year term concurrent with governor
Certifies and monitors elections in conjunction with county officials
Grants charters to Texas Corporations
Issues permits to out-of-state corporations to do business within Texas
Processes requests for extradition of criminals to and from other states

39. Internship with the Texas General Land Office
Students in Action
Internship with the Texas General Land Office
Adam Burkland worked as an intern with the Texas General Land Office Asset Management Program
Assisted in identifying state land to sell, lease, or purchase to promote Permanent School Fund
Assisted in overseeing state contracts and developing asset acquisition plan
Learned the important role state programs play in land exchange and development
Learned the significance of contracts and real estate reviews