The Texas Governor (General Outline)
I.
The Governor
E. Succession
A. Limited in powers—Legislature is the dominant
branch
1. Lieutenant Governor succeeds Governor in
the event of death, resignation, or
impeachment & removal
B. Limited in executive powers—Texas has a
“plural executive”: several elected executive
officials of which the Governor is one
II.
2. If Governor disabled, Lt. Gov. carries out
duties.
3. If Governor dies in office, Lt. Gov. finishes
the term as governor; if Lt. Gov. is unable to
serve, the president pro tem. of the Senate
finishes term as Governor
Basic Structure of the Governor’s Office
A. Election
1. Statewide election held in even-numbered
“off” years (non-Presidential election years)
4. If Lt. Gov. vacates position, Senate elects a
senator as replacement presiding officer
within 30 days
a. So national issues will not overshadow
state issues
b. Often personalities overshadow issues
F. Compensation
c. Voter turnout still low
1. As of 1954, Legislature sets Governor’s
salary
B. Term
1. Governor elected for a 4-year term
2. In 1954, Governor received $12,000
2. No term limits
3. In 2009, Governor received $150,000
3. In 1974, length of term changed from 2
years to 4 years
4. 11th among states
5. Lt. Gov. paid same rate when acting for
Governor
C. Tenure
1. Until World War II, tradition was for
governors to serve 2 terms
6. Plus, Governor has use of Governor’s
Mansion, travel & operating budget, car,
state-owned aircraft, bodyguards, staff,
office space
2. After World War II to 1970’s, trend was for
governors to serve 3 terms
G. Office of the Governor: Staff & Organization
3. From 1970’s to 1990’s, most governors lost
re-election attempts
1. Act as legislative liaisons to push Governor’s
agenda
4. George W. Bush re-elected by an
overwhelming majority (1998)
2. Recommend candidates for appointments
5. Rick Perry became longest-serving Texas
governor in 2008—will have served 14 years
by the time he steps down in 2014
3. Coordinate departments and activities of
governor’s office
4. Staff was about 400 under Ann Richards;
down to 266 under Rick Perry—but Perry’s
266 make more than Richard’s 400
D. Impeachment
1. Governor may be removed only by
impeachment
2. No list of impeachable offenses in the Tex.
Constitution, but precedent and implication
suggest:
a. Official misconduct
b. Incompetence
c. Failure to perform duties
3. Impeachment by majority vote in House;
2/3 vote in Senate necessary for removal &
disqualification
III.
Qualifications for Governor
A. Formal Qualifications
1. At least 30 years old
2. U.S. citizen
3. Resident of Texas for 5 years immediately
preceding election
4. Takes office the “first Tuesday after the
organization of the Legislature”
5. Legislature settles election disputes
6. Qualifications for Lt. Gov. same as for
Governor
B. Personal Characteristics
C. Budgeting
1. Likely white, male, Protestant, conservative,
involved in civic affairs, wealthy
1. Legislature guided by Legislative Budget
Board
2. Also likely to have held previous offices in
Texas
2. Executive budget indicates priorities and
preferences
3. Traditionally “conservative” Democrat—but
now conservatives more with Republican
Party. Key word being “conservative”.
3. Governor may approve deficiency warrants
of up to $200k/biennium for emergencies
4. Leg. gave Gov. more than $200 million in
both 2008-09 and 2010-11 to promote
economic development
4. Often attorneys, businesspeople, “pillars”
of community
IV.
Role of Chief Executive
D. Planning
1. Gov. directs planning through Budget,
Planning, and Policy Division
A. Appointment Power
1. Limited because of plural executive (5 other
elected executives, 2 elected boards)
2. Gov. has strong say in new programs due
to:
2. Total of 3,000 appointed positions,
including:
a. Fed. grant requirements
a. Secretary of State
b. Management realities
b. Education Commissioner
E. Supervising
1. Tex. Constitution requires Governor to carry
out laws—but few resources to accomplish
this
c. Insurance Commissioner
d. Health & Human Services Commissioner
3. Other appointments only when vacancies
occur
2. Governor limited in ensuring bureaucracy
carries out its functions due to:
4. Power limited by overlapping and staggered
terms of appointed positions
a. Limited appointment power
b. Removal power only for own
appointees
5. Appointments must be confirmed by a 2/3
vote in Senate, but there is usually
“senatorial courtesy”
3. Gov. must rely on political skills in using
staff and in leadership of party and veto
power
B. Removal Power
1. Limited removal power:
F. Clemency
a. Political appointees that he/she
appointed
1. Limited to one 30-day reprieve for death
row inmates
b. Personal staff
2. Governor may only pardon, commute, or
reprieve with a recommendation from the
Board of Pardons and Paroles
c. A few executive directors
2. Control over policy limited
3. Three general methods:
a. Impeachment (majority vote in House;
2/3 in Senate for removal)
b. Address—removal of judges (2/3 vote
of Leg. To request)
c. Quo warrantor—legal proceeding
where official may be removed by a
court
V.
Role of Chief Legislator
A. Message Power
1. Required when legislative sessions open
and when Governor retires
2. But may give message to Leg. at any time
3. Formal way of expressing policy goals
4. Helps set agenda
B. Session Power
B. Chief of State
1. Governor may call special legislative
sessions
1. Ceremonial functions
2. Often used to promote Texas and boost
economy
2. 30 days long, but no limit to number called
3. Governor sets agenda for special sessions
C. Chief “Diplomat”
1. Governor is Texas’ representative in dealing
with other states and with the national
government
C. Veto Power
1. For every bill, the Governor may:
a. Sign
2. Governor signs rendition papers for
fugitives from justice from other states
b. Letting it become law without signing
c. Veto
2. 10 days to sign while Leg. is still in session
3. 20 days if bill arrives in last 10 days of
session or after adjournment
4. Leg. may override with 2/3 vote if still in
session
5. Because override is unlikely, veto threat
source of power
6. Line item veto to delete individual spending
provisions
VI.
Other Official Roles
A. Texas Commander-in-Chief
1. Power to declare martial law
2. C-in-C of Texas National Guard except when
called into service of the United States
3. Gov. appoints adjutant general to head
state military forces
4. Gov. may assume command of Texas
Rangers and DPS
5. Division of Emergency Management reports
to Gov.
VII.
Informal Roles
A. Chief of Party
1. Symbolic head of party
2. Usually leader of state party at national
conventions
3. Gov. may achieve policy goals with
Legislature by using influence as party
leader
B. Leader of the People of Texas
1. Often in media spotlight
2. Often viewed as spokesperson for Texas