1. Executive Branch

2. Georgia’s Governor Governor: leaders 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

3. Governor Election: Duties: Elected by the citizens
Does not run on the same ticket or need to be in the same party as lieutenant governor.
Duties:
Head of state/leader of exec. 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 legislation

4. Governor Duties (cont.):
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 w/suggestions on how to spend state money

5. 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

6. 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

7. Lieutenant Governor Qualifications: same as Governor Term of Office:
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

8. Lieutenant Governor Election: Duties: Elected by the citizens
Does not run on the same ticket or need to be in the same party as the governor
Duties:
Serves as governor if current governor dies or gets too sick to work
President of the Senate, decides committee memberships and committee chairs

9. Organization of Executive Branch
Departments with Elected Commissioners:
Department of Agriculture: farming, matters relating to food/animals
Office of the Commissioner of Insurance: health, safety, and life insurance
Department of Labor: services for jobs, taxes, wages, unemployment benefits, and job training

10. Organization 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