The State Executive Branch

1. The State Executive Branch

2. Office of the Governor • -the chief executive • Qualifications listed in the state’s constitution -most states: at least 30 years old, an American citizen, and a resident of the state for at least 5 years • elected directly by the voters of the state • In most states, serve 4 year terms • In nearly every state, a governor can be impeached and removed from office for a committing a crime • Can be recalled by the voters of the state

3. Elections of Governor • An individual will have to gain the nomination of a major political party, usually by winning a primary • Then, the party nominee will run against other political party nominees in the general election.

4. In most states, governors and lt. governors run as teams in elections -if they run separately, there is a potential to have two different political parties in power in the Executive Branch -Typically, the lt. governor will move to the governor position if the governor leaves office -in most states, the lt. governor has only a few official duties, such as presiding over the Senate

5. Powers and Duties of the Governor • Head of the Executive Branch of State Government • Chief Executive- most important role- responsible for carrying out the laws of the state -can issue executive orders to a large state bureaucracy -can appoint officials of the bureaucracy, usually with the approval of the Senate -must prepare a budget and have it approved by the legislature

6. Chief Legislator- can suggest new bills and try to persuade the legislature to pass the bills by making speeches to the legislatures or by lobbying privately with them -has the power to approve or veto bills passed by the legislator -some governors can line-item veto specific parts of a bill (the President cannot do this) -legislatures may override a governor’s veto with a 2/3 vote, but rarely happens

7. Judicial Powers -can grant pardons to convicted state criminals -can commute a criminal’s sentence -can grant a prisoner parole • Commander in Chief of the State’s National Guard • State Leader of their Political Party • Ceremonial Leader of the State

8. Executive Departments • Not every state has a cabinet, but every state does have a number of top officials who are in charge of executive departments and who advise the governor on issues related to their area of responsibility -these officials are mostly appointed by the governor -different states have different top officials -most states have:

9. Secretary of State- manages elections and maintains the state’s official records • Attorney General- represents the state in lawsuits and gives legal advice to the governor, state agencies, and to the legislature • Treasurer- collects taxes and invest state funds • Auditor- reviews the record keeping of state agencies to make sure their money is used according to law • Every state also has a number of agencies boards and commissions: Examples: Board of Education, Department of Health , Departments of Public Works, etc

10. LA Executive Branch • Implements the laws passed by the legislator, operates the state government, and oversees state services • Elected officials under the LA Executive Branch: governor, lt. governor, secretary of state, treasurer, attorney general, commissioner of agriculture and forestry, and commissioner of insurance

11. Governor -Qualifications: must be at least 25 years old, US citizen, citizen of LA for at least 5 years -elected for a 4 year term and can serve two consecutive terms -must prepare and submit a budget to the legislature -appoints citizens to hundreds of boards and commissions -can have administration bills introduce into the legislature -can call the legislature into special session to discuss specific subjects (when the state has a need that can’t wait until the reg. session) -benefits: lives in the governor’s mansion with staff, car and driver, and bodyguards- Salary $130,000

12. Lt. Governor -serves as a public relations officer for the state -heads the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism -elected position -takes the place of the governor when the governor is out of the state or leaves office • Secretary of State -chief election officer -supervises all elections -keeps LA’s official records and publishes acts and journals of the legislature (preserved at the State Archives Building in Baton Rouge) -keeper of the official seal of LA, which is used to give official approval of documents

13. Attorney General -heads the state’s legal office, the Department of Justice -provides opinions on law questions to all state agencies and government groups -can bring legal action on behalf of the state -defends LA laws if they are challenged in federal courts Example: Taylor vs LA- Supreme Court ruled that LA had to call women to jury duty in the same way that it called men

14. Treasurer -in charge of the state’s money -keeps records of the state’s income and expenses -state money not needed immediately must be invested -must provide the governor and legislature a yearly financial report, one month before each regular session of the legislature -returns unclaimed property to citizens • Commissioner of Agriculture -promotes agriculture and forestry and oversees soil and water conservation

15. Commissioner of Insurance -enforces insurance laws passed by the legislature • Public Service Commission -five member board that regulates public utilities (telephone, electric, natural gas, water) -ensures that customers receive fair rates and adequate service • Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) -supervises education and appoints the State Superintendent of Education -3 members appointed by the governor- 7 elected from special districts