1. Executive Branch

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

3. Governor Election: Election: –Elected by the citizens –Does not run on the same ticket or need to be in the same party as lieutenant governor. Duties: 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.): 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) Managing the states budget (receiving/spending money) Directing the attorney general to act as a representative in lower court cases involving state law Directing the attorney general to act as a representative in lower court cases involving state law “State of the State” address “State of the State” address Preparing budget bills for the House of Representatives Preparing budget bills for the House of Representatives Commander in Chief for GA National Guard Commander in Chief for GA National Guard Heads GA’s defense units Heads GA’s defense units Sending GA Highway patrol and GBI into communities in times of danger 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 Communicating to the public a personal position on issues of interest to all Georgians Acting as honorary head of the political party Acting as honorary head of the political party Issuing proclamations to honor individuals, holidays, or special events Issuing proclamations to honor individuals, holidays, or special events Representing the state in meetings with state officials Representing the state in meetings with state officials Meet with business leaders to expand their business in GA Meet with business leaders to expand their business in GA Working with legislators to get laws passed Working with legislators to get laws passed Guiding state agencies Guiding state agencies

7. Lieutenant Governor Qualifications: same as 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: Term of Office: –4 years –No limit on the number of terms

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

9. Organization of Executive Branch Departments with Elected Commissioners: 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: 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