State Executive Branch: Role of the Governor

• Like the federal government, every state has an executive branch.
• This branch is headed by a chief executive known as the governor.
• The state executive branch also consists of a number of departments and agencies.

Qualifications for Governor

• In most states, a governor must be an American citizen.
• A governor must be at least 30 years old.
• A governor must be a resident of the state for at least 5 years.
• Each state constitution lists the qualifications for the office of governor.
• Most governors have held other public offices or been active in state politics before.

Terms of Office

• Most governors serve four-year terms.
• A governor can be impeached and removed from office for committing a crime in nearly every state.

Recall Elections

• In some states, voters can unseat their governor by demanding a special "recall" election.
• In 2003, California voters recalled their governor and replaced him with actor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Role of the Governor

• A governor heads the executive branch of state government.
• This role is like the President of the United States at the national level.
• The governor is the state's chief executive, responsible for carrying out state laws.
• To assist in this role, the governor issues executive orders to a large state bureaucracy.
• The governor appoints some of the state's top officials.
• In most states, the governor is responsible for preparing a budget and getting approval from the legislature.

Legislative Powers

• Governors can suggest new bills and try to persuade the legislature to pass them.
• All governors have the power to veto bills passed by the legislature.
• Governors in 43 states can veto specific parts of a bill via a line-item veto.
• State legislatures may override governor vetoes.
• Overrides typically require a two-thirds ratio and are uncommon.

Judicial Powers

• A governor may grant pardons to criminals or commute a sentence.
• "Commute", in this context, means reduce.
• Governors can grant prisoners parole within certain guidelines or rules.
• Parole is an early release from prison.

Other Roles

• Every governor heads the state National Guard.
• The governor leads their political party in the state.
• The governor serves as the ceremonial leader of the state.

Executive Departments

• Not every governor has a cabinet.
• Every state has top officials who lead executive departments and advise the governor on important matters.
• Governors appoint many of these officials, but some are elected in most states

Secretary of State

• Manages elections and maintains the state's official records.

Attorney General

• Represents the state in lawsuits.
• Provides legal advice to the governor, state agencies, and the legislature.

Superintendent of Public Instruction

• Sometimes called a commissioner of education.
• Sets educational standards.
• Oversees the state's public schools.

Treasurer

• Collects, taxes and invests state funds.

Auditor

• Reviews the record-keeping of state agencies.
• Ensures and verifies that money is used according to state law.

Bureaucracies

• Every state has numerous executive departments, agencies, boards, and commissions.
• Some departments, such as those for justice, agriculture, and labor, are similar to their federal counterparts.
• Some departments exist only at the state level.

Department or Board of Health

• Runs programs in disease prevention and health education.

Departments of Public Works and Highways

• Responsible for building and maintaining roads, bridges, and public buildings.

State Welfare Board

• Helps the unemployed and people living in poverty.

Public Opinion

• Refers to the ideas and attitudes that most people hold about a particular issue or person.
• It plays a key role in a democracy.