Government and Politics in the Lone Star State
Tenth Edition
Chapter 6
The Texas Executive
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Learning Objectives
6.1 Trace the evolution of the Texas governor from a strong unified executive to a plural executive.
6.2 Assess what qualifies an individual to serve as governor, common career patterns that have led to the governorship, and select benefits of the office.
6.3 Explain the legislative, budgetary, appointive, judicial, and military powers of the Texas governor.
6.4 Evaluate the informal resources of the Texas governor for advancing public policy and political objectives.
6.5 Differentiate the leadership styles of recent Texas governors.
6.6 Describe the duties and responsibilities of the other offices of the executive branch in Texas.
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A Historical Perspective on the Executive Function in Texas (1 of 4)
Governors Enjoyed Stronger Constitutional Powers from 1836 to 1866.
Elected offices of comptroller and state treasurer added in 1861
Granted line-item veto powers in 1866
1869 Constitution
Influenced by Jacksonian democracy
Created a plural executive
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A Historical Perspective on the Executive Function in Texas (2 of 4)
Expanded Powers in the Twentieth Century
Salary could be raised by the legislature (1954)
Term of office expanded to four years (1972)
Given removal power over persons appointed to boards and commissions (1980)
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A Historical Perspective on the Executive Function in Texas (3 of 4)
The Constitutional Framework for the Plural Executive
Article 1, Section 4 of the Constitution of 1876 created the executive branch.
In Texas, the governor appoints more than 200 policy-setting boards over state agencies and universities, but the boards appoint the individuals responsible for day-to-day administration.
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A Historical Perspective on the Executive Function in Texas (4 of 4)
The Potential for Conflict in the Plural Executive
Members of the plural executive
Operate independently of the governor
Can claim their own electoral mandates
May clash with the governor over policies
Potential for conflict increases in a two-party state
Makes it difficult to pursue coordinated policies
Does serve to constrain the power of the governor
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Journal 6.1
Do you think Texas should replace its plural executive with an executive structure similar to that of the president, where the lieutenant governor would be elected as a team with the governor and the governor would have a cabinet composed of appointed agency heads?
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Historical Overview of the Men and Women Who Have Served as Governor (1 of 3)
Qualifications and Backgrounds of Texas Governors
Constitutional requirements
At least thirty years old, U.S. citizen, and resident of Texas for five years
Past governors
Most have been Democrats (not recently), wealthy, educated, middle-aged, white male Protestants.
Many have previous public service.
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Historical Overview of the Men and Women Who Have Served as Governor (2 of 3)
Impeachment and Incapacitation
Impeachment
Charges brought by the House of Representatives
Removal follows a trial and conviction in the Senate.
Texas does not have a voter-initiated recall process.
The lieutenant governor replaces the governor if the office is vacated.
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Historical Overview of the Men and Women Who Have Served as Governor (3 of 3)
The Salary and “Perks” of the Governor’s Office
In 2015, the governor of Texas was paid a salary of $150,000 a year.
Perks of the governor’s office
Mansion and staff
State-owned planes and cars
Security detail
Travel expenses
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The Powers of the Governor (1 of 5)
Legislative Powers
State of the State address
Establish a policy agenda
Special sessions
Last for up to thirty days each
Governor controls the agenda.
Veto power
Overridden by a two-thirds vote in the House and Senate
Can veto bills up to twenty days after the close of a legislative session
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State of the State Address
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Governor Greg Abbott delivered his first State of the State Address in which he outlined his legislative priorities to a joint session of the Texas Legislature in February of 2015. The governor and other state dignitaries are seen here applauding veterans during his address.
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Table 6-2 Comparison of the Formal/Institutional Powers of the Governors (1 of 2)
Strong (4.0 and above) Strong (4.0 and above) Strong (4.0 and above) Strong (4.0 and above)
Alaska (4.1) Maryland (4.1) New York (4.3) Utah (4.2)
Hawaii (4.1) Massachusetts (4.3) Pennsylvania (4.0) West Virginia (4.1)
Strong (3.5–3.9) Moderately Moderately Strong (3.5–3.9) Moderately Strong (3.5–3.9) Moderately Strong (3.5–3.9)
Arizona (3.8) Idaho (3.5) Minnesota (3.9) Oregon (3.5)
California (3.5) Illinois (3.8) Nebraska (3.8) Tennessee (3.9)
Colorado (3.9) Iowa (3.7) New Jersey (3.8) Washington (3.6)
Connecticut (3.9) Kansas (3.7) North Dakota (3.9) Wisconsin (3.7)
Delaware (3.7) Kentucky (3.5) Ohio (3.9) Wyoming (3.8)
Florida (3.6) Michigan (3.9)
SOURCE: Based on Thad Beyle, “The Governors;” Multistate Associates Incorporated, “2014 Governors and Legislatures;” National Council of State Legislatures; and National Governors Association, “Governors Political Affiliations and Terms of Office.”
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Meg (M) - where is table 6-1?
Table 6-2 Comparison of the Formal/Institutional Powers of the Governors (2 of 2)
Moderate (3.0–3.4) Moderate (3.0–3.4) Moderate (3.0–3.4) Moderate (3.0–3.4)
Alabama (3.2) Maine (3.1) New Hampshire (3.0) South Carolina (3.0)
Georgia (3.2) Mississippi (3.3) New Mexico (3.3) South Dakota (3.0)
Indiana (3.1) Missouri (3.1) Oklahoma (3.0) Texas (3.2)
Louisiana (3.4) Montana (3.3) Rhode Island (3.3) Virginia (3.3)
Weak (2.9 and below) Weak (2.9 and below) Weak (2.9 and below) Weak (2.9 and below)
Arkansas (2.9) Nevada (2.8) North Carolina (2.9) Vermont (2.8)
SOURCE: Based on Thad Beyle, “The Governors;” Multistate Associates Incorporated, “2014 Governors and Legislatures;” National Council of State Legislatures; and National Governors Association, “Governors Political Affiliations and Terms of Office.”
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Signing Ceremonies
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Governors use a variety of public occasions to cultivate public support for their legislative programs, including signing ceremonies that are usually held in the governor’s Reception Room on the second floor of the Capitol. To bring special attention to the newly enacted legislation, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed into law at Red’s Indoor Range in Pflugerville bills permitting Texans to carry concealed handguns on college campuses and openly carry them virtually everywhere in the state.
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The Powers of the Governor (2 of 5)
Budgetary Powers
Weaker budgetary authority
Primary authority rests with the legislature and Legislative Budget Board.
The Texas governor has line-item veto over appropriations bills.
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The Powers of the Governor (3 of 5)
Appointive Powers
Selects members to serve on more than 200 boards and commissions
Subject to Senate confirmation
Many serve six-year staggered terms.
Limited ability to remove appointees
Filling vacancies
State, district, appellate courts; U.S. Senate seats; and all statewide offices except the lieutenant governor
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The Powers of the Governor (4 of 5)
Judicial Powers
Appoints members of the Board of Pardons and Paroles
Grants executive clemency
Thirty-day stay of execution
Commutation of a death sentence to life in prison
Full or conditional pardons
Responsible for ordering state officials to carry out extradition proceedings
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The Powers of the Governor (5 of 5)
Military Powers
Acts as commander-in-chief of the state’s military forces
Appoints the adjutant general
Mobilizes the national guard to protect lives and property, and to keep the peace
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Informal Resources of the Governor (1 of 4)
The Governor’s Staff
Organization reflects leadership styles.
Highly centralized or may seek greater contact with advisors
Affects the flow of information to the governor
Chosen for their media and public relations skills or policy expertise
Help develop policy agendas and legislative strategies
Function as the governor’s surrogates
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Staff Can Really Make a Difference
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A governor’s success is dependent, in part, on a competent staff capable of assisting the governor in meeting expanded responsibilities and increased expectations from the general public, the legislature, administrative agencies, the media, and interest groups. Governor-elect Greg Abbott, center left, is seen here in the Old Supreme Court Room in the Capitol introducing his key staff members prior to the 2015 legislative session.
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Table 6-3 The Governor’s Leadership Resources
Formal Constitutional Powers
1. Veto legislation
2. Exercise a line-item veto over the state budget
3. Call and set the agenda for special legislative sessions
4. Make recommendations on the budget
5. Propose emergency budgetary transfers when the legislature is not in session
6. Appoint hundreds of members of policymaking boards and commissions, subject to Senate confirmation
7. Remove his or her own appointees from boards, with Senate approval
8. Fill vacancies in U.S. Senate seats and certain elective state offices
9. Proclaim acts of executive clemency, including stays of execution, for convicted criminals
10. Mobilize the Texas National Guard to protect lives and property during natural disasters and other emergencies
Informal Resources
1. Governor’s electoral mandate
2. A large staff to help develop and sell policy proposals
3. Ability to communicate to the public through the mass media
4. Public’s perception and opinions about the governor’s job performance
5. The governor’s political party and relationships with legislative leaders
6. Support and mobilization of interest groups
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Informal Resources of the Governor (2 of 4)
The Governor and the Mass Media
Communicate policy objectives to the general public to mobilize public opinion
Strategies
Press conferences, news leaks, and trial balloons
Use of public opinion polls
Staging pseudo-events to emphasize issues
Use of radio and television
Twitter alerts
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Informal Resources of the Governor (3 of 4)
The Governor and the Political Party
Historically
Governors built policy coalitions around factions within the Democratic Party.
Gained little power from serving as head of the party
Under the two-party system
Parties provide greater resources and support.
Republicans have sought the support of social conservatives within the party.
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Informal Resources of the Governor (4 of 4)
The Governor and Interest Groups
Solicit endorsements and campaign contributions from groups
Pursue policy initiatives and legislation that benefit key support groups
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Leadership Styles of Recent Texas Governors (1 of 4)
Ann Richards (1991–1995)
Activist stance
Populist policy agenda called for a “new Texas”
Pragmatic approach to legislation, seeking compromise
Staff given greater responsibility to pursue policy objectives
Filled role as Texas’s chief ambassador
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Leadership Styles of Recent Texas Governors (2 of 4)
George W. Bush (1995–2000)
Kept a low public profile in his first year
Often worked behind the scenes with legislators to reach compromise
Met frequently with Republican and conservative Democratic legislators
Faced opposition over school property tax reform and school vouchers
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Leadership Styles of Recent Texas Governors (3 of 4)
Rick Perry (2000–2015 )
Gave no clear direction in first term
Vetoed a record eighty-two bills in 2001
Took advantage of Republican majority
Oversaw partisan redistricting battle
Rocky relationship with lawmakers
Washington “outsider”
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The State’s Longest-Serving Governor
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Governor Rick Perry was governor from 2000 to 2015, longer than any of his predecessors. His public career included a six-year stint as a state representative, eight years as the state’s agriculture commissioner, and almost two years as lieutenant governor prior to assuming the governorship when George Bush won the presidency in 2000.
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Leadership Styles of Recent Texas Governors (4 of 4)
Greg Abbott (2015– )
Conservative record from time on Texas Supreme Court and as attorney general
More restrained than Perry at first
Mostly successful in first legislative session
Critical of federal government policies and advocate of efforts to curtail federal power
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Other Offices of the Plural Executive (1 of 8)
Lieutenant Governor
Dan Patrick holds the office.
Primarily a legislative office with few administrative duties
Considered by some to be the most powerful state office
Presides over the Senate
Chairs the Legislative Budget Board
Succeeds the governor if the governor dies, is incapacitated, or is removed from office
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Other Offices of the Plural Executive (2 of 8)
Attorney General
Ken Paxton holds the office.
Serves as the state’s chief legal officer
Represents the state in litigation
Enforces antitrust and consumer protection laws
Provides for child support collection
Creates advisory opinions on the legality of actions by state and local agencies or officials
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Other Offices of the Plural Executive (3 of 8)
Comptroller of Public Accounts
Glenn Hegar holds the office.
Serves as the state’s tax administrator, accounting officer, and revenue estimator
Assumed the state treasurer’s duties in 1995
Provides a revenue estimate of state income to guide budget preparation
Must certify that the state budget falls within revenue projections
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Other Offices of the Plural Executive (4 of 8)
Commissioner of the General Land Office
George P. Bush holds the office.
Manages state-owned lands and mineral rights
Revenues are earmarked for the Permanent University Fund and Permanent School Fund.
Responsible for the Veterans Land Program
Develops environmental programs
Plans for dealing with oil spills
Preventing soil erosion along Texas beaches
Don’t Mess with Texas!
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Other Offices of the Plural Executive (5 of 8)
Commissioner of Agriculture
Sid Miller holds the office.
Statutory officer who regulates agriculture
Administers consumer protection laws
Weights and measures
Packaging and labeling
Marketing
Supports agricultural research and education programs
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Other Offices of the Plural Executive (6 of 8)
Secretary of State
Carlos Cascos holds the office.
Appointed by the governor
Grants charters to corporations
Processes the extradition of prisoners
Administers state election laws
Reviews local and county election procedures
Develops statewide voter registration policy
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Other Offices of the Plural Executive (7 of 8)
Elected Boards and Commissions
Texas Railroad Commission
Three members; each one elected statewide to staggered six-year terms
Oversees railroad safety and oil, natural gas, and mining industries
Often used as a stepping stone to higher state office
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Other Offices of the Plural Executive (8 of 8)
Elected Boards and Commissions
State Board of Education
Fifteen members, each one elected from a single-member district
Key responsibilities
Translating legislative mandates into public policy
Investment of money in the Permanent School Fund
Oversight of textbook selection and curriculum standards
Administration of the Texas Education Agency
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Shared Writing 6.6
Consider the discussion in “Combs, Patterson Spar Over Ruling on State Incentives.” Policy conflicts within the plural executive are not limited to those between the governor and other statewide elected officials. For a variety of reasons, officials other than the governor have become involved in controversial issues, such as the use of state funding for Formula 1 racing. When conflict emerges between state officials of the plural executive, is the governor likely to become involved? What, if anything, might be the consequences of such conflicts between statewide elected officials?
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Photo Credits
Page 166: Office of the Governor Greg Abbott; 168: Eric Gay/AP Images; 175: Eric Gay/AP Images; 176: Ralph Barrera/AP Images; 180: Dborah Cannon/AP Images; 182: Eric Gay/AP Images; 185: David Breslauer/AP Images; 187: Eric Gay/AP Images; 187: Harry Cabluck/AP Images; 190: Harry Cabluck/AP Images; 193: Eric Gay/AP Images; 196: The Railroad Commission of Texas; 198: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division [LC-DIG-ggbain-25234]
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