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The Divided Executive
• Based on the Jacksonian democratic theory that most major officeholders should be elected:
A preference for decentralized leadership
No single official responsible for either policy initiation or implementation
TEXAS GOVERNOR
Qualifications– o Formal– o Informal
Term Salary Removal & Succession Impact of:
– o Colonial Experience– o Reconstruction
Formal Qualifications to Be Governor
• Minimal requirements:
One must be 30 years of age
An American citizen
A citizen of Texas for five years prior to election
Informal Qualifications to be Governor
• WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant)
• Male (only two female governors in Texas)
• Middle-aged successful Businessperson or Attorney
• Conservative-to-Moderate candidate
• Wealthy or have access to Money
Governor’s Compensation
• Salary is set by the legislature
• Present salary is $115,345 (among highest in the nation)
• The governor’s mansion with a maintenance expense account
• A professional staff with offices in the capitol
Removal, & Succession
• Can be removed from office only by impeachment
• The Lieutenant Governor is next in line of succession
Executive Powers
Appointive Powers• Plural executive• Senate approval• Staggered terms
Removal Powers Directive Powers Budgetary Powers
Texas Governors’ Vetoes
• 1876-1968 – – 936 vetoes– Only 25 overridden
• Last Veto Overridden – 1979
• WHY?
Judicial Powers
Clemency Powers -originally unlimited -after 1936 most powers transferred to the
Board of Pardons and Paroles -can only postpone executions for 30 days
Fill judicial vacancies
Military-Law Enforcement Powers
• Law Enforcement Powers – very limited
• Military Powers – commander-in-chief of the state militia, able to declare an area under martial law
Powers as Chief of State
Ceremonial duties as members of multistate organizations they help
coordinate relations with other states; As coordinator of state agencies interactions with the
federal government; To request federal aid due to natural disasters or
economic crises
Visibility
Represents/Speaks for Texas
3 Constitutional Amendments to Strengthen Governor
• 1972—changed term from 2 to 4 years • (went into effect in 1975)
• 1981—gave governor removal power over personal appointees
• (with approval of 2/3 of Texas Senate)
• 1985—created the Budget Execution Committee—• can transfer money from one agency to another & reduce
expenditures if a budget shortfall occurs (governor, lieut. governor, & speaker)
•
Governor’s Informal Powers The Five “P’s”
• 1. Personality
• 2. Political Expertise
• 3. Press Relations
• 4. Prestige
• 5. Public Support/Popularity