Ch. 6 The Plural Executive and Bureaucracy

Study Notes

Plural Executive and Key Offices in Texas

Plural Executive: Functions of the executive branch in Texas are distributed among multiple elected officials instead of concentrating power in the governor.
Lieutenant Governor: Presiding officer of the Texas Senate, directly elected by voters. Steps in as governor if the current governor is unavailable due to absence, death, resignation, or impeachment.
Attorney General: Primary legal advisor for Texas, representing the state in legal proceedings and providing advisory opinions to the governor and legislature.
Comptroller of Public Accounts: Manages collection of taxes and fees, oversees state funds, provides revenue estimates, and handles payments for state purchases.
Commissioner of the General Land Office: Manages state-owned lands, oversees the Permanent School Fund, and controls leases for mineral and resource development; often referred to as the land commissioner.
Permanent School Fund: A large fund used to finance educational initiatives in Texas, serving as the largest source of investment income for the state.
Secretary of State: Responsible for business licensing, election administration, and serving as the chief protocol officer for Texas.

Bureaucracy and Governance Structure

Bureaucracy: Organizes large public and private entities through a hierarchical structure, division of labor, established procedures, and merit-based advancement.
Elected Board: Body elected by the public, such as the Railroad Commission of Texas, which supervises a specific governmental department.
Appointed Regulatory Commission: State agencies with members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Texas Senate; responsible for oversight of specific state government departments.

Transparency and Accountability Measures

Sunshine Laws: Legal provisions aimed at increasing government transparency and making operations more accessible to the public.
Merit-Based Civil Service System: Employment mechanism where government jobs are awarded based on qualifications; promotions and raises depend on performance.
Sunset Review Process: Formal evaluation method assessing the effectiveness and efficiency of statutory boards, commissions, and state agencies.

Description

This quiz focuses on the concepts of the plural executive and the role of the lieutenant governor in Texas. It includes key definitions that highlight the division of executive powers among elected officials. Perfect for students studying Texas government.