POLS 2312 1st Edition Lecture 13 The Governor Articles of Confederation Strong executive branch of government A Stepping Stone to the Presidency Roles of a Governor Agenda setting power Legislative Pushing for proposals Veto Power Supermajority to override veto Budgetary Power Ability to call special sessions Head of Executive Branch Ability to hire and fire heads of state agencies Ability to appoint cabinet members Governors are viewed by most citizens as the individual ultimately accountable for how state government functions Ability to issue pardons Elections 34 States hold gubernatorial elections in midterm years Five hold their elections in the same year as presidential contests Nine states hold their elections in presidential years Mid term elections voters can focus on state problems and not national problems that is the benefit of having mid term elections Fragmentation and Limitation Other elected officials often have their own bases of political support Much of the Governor s power is informal and based upon his capacity to persuade The Plural Executive Attorney General Comptroller of Public Accounts Commissioner of the General Land Office Commissioner of Agriculture Railroad Commission 3 Members State Board of Education The Lt Governor President of the Senate Appoints Senate Committees assigns bills to specific committees Joint Chairman of Legislative Budget Board Comptroller versus Governor Susan Combs was a Republican Made sure taxes where being used properly The Railroad Commission Three members elected to staggered six year terms Regulates oil and natural gas exploration drilling storage and transportation Regulatory Capture Appointment Powers Major Offices Adjutant General head of TX Ntnl Guard Secretary of State record keeper election official Director of Housing and Community Affairs coordinates federal state programs Director of the Office of State Federal Relations essentially the state s lobbyist in Washington D C Commissioners of Education Insurance and Health and Human Services Appointment Powers Governor appoints thousands of members of minor independent agencies boards and commissions In most cases may remove individuals they have appointed only with support of 2 3rds of the State Senate Judicial Powers Nearly all judges in Texas are elected Governor can appoint people to vacancies with support from 2 3 of Senate A large number of judges initially gain their position through appointment Governor can only grant clemency following a recommendation from the Texas Board of Pardons appointed by Gov Can only grant one thirty day reprieve in death penalty cases