chapter 24 the governor and bureaucracy in texas pearson education, inc. © 2006 american government...
TRANSCRIPT
Chapter 24
The Governor and Bureaucracy in Texas
Pearson Education, Inc. © 2006
American Government2006 Edition(to accompany Comprehensive, Alternate, Texas, and Essentials Editions)
O’Connor and Sabato
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The Executive in Texas Texas has a plural executive
An executive branch in which power and policy implementation are divided among several executive agencies rather than centralized under one person
The governor does not get to appoint most agency heads
Not assured control of state government so they must build strong outside support
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Roots of the Executive
Spanish kings designated the first Spain, Mexican Constitutional Governors created as well as an executive council
Early American governors appointed by the Crown Relatively weak
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From President of the Lone Star Republic to Governor of Texas
Republic of Texas Executive consisted of a president who
governed with a cabinet
State of Texas Entered U.S. with relatively strong
executive Constitutional changes weakened the
executive
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Texas Governors
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Terms of Office Length and Number of Terms
Four year term with no term limits Salary
2004 Governor’s salary was $115,345 Impeachment
Executive positions are subject to impeachment by the legislative branch
Jim Ferguson Succession
The constitutional declaration that the lieutenant governor succeeds to the governorship if there is a vacancy
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The Constitutional Roles of the Governor
Chief of state Governor in his/her role as the official head
representing the state of Texas in its relationship with the national government, other states, and foreign dignitaries
Chief executive officer Governor as top official of the executive branch
of Texas state government Commander in chief
Governor in his or her role as head of the state militia
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The Constitutional Roles of the Governor Chief Budget Officer
The governor, who is charged with preparing the state budget proposal for the legislature State Board of Control Legislative Budget Board
Clemency The governor’s authority to reduce the length of a
person’s prison sentence Governor’s Message
Message that the governor declares to the legislature, pronouncing policy goals, budget priorities, and authorization for the legislature to act
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Development of Gubernatorial Power
Characteristics Restrictions
Primarily utilized in 18th and 19th Governor Edmund J. Davis
Comparison with other State Governors Texas does not have cabinet system selected and
responsible for the governor unlike many other states.
Compared to other states, Texas’ governor is weak. But legislature and voters have increased the
governor’s power in the 20th century.
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Powers of the Texas Governor Compared to Other Governors
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Governor’s Power to Appoint Executive Officials
Governor appoints more agency heads today than ever before.
Texas gubernatorial appointment requires consent of the Texas Senate in a vote of at least two-thirds of those present. Senatorial courtesy: governor defers to the state
senator in whose district the nominee resides.
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State Agency Heads Appointed by the Governor
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Power of Staff and Budget Broad responsibilities of staff
Develop governor’s budget proposal Develop policy recommendations Public relations, liaison work Working with citizens and lobbyists Duties may change
Budget varies Depends on what the legislature appropriates given
what functions the legislature and the governor choose to place under the office
May exceed $100 million a year Usually $10 million of that is for the narrower
Governor’s office. Rest is discretionary funds and suboffices
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The Governor as Policy Maker and Political Leader
Political leadership of governor flows from Governor’s skills Previous experience Similarity in party, philosophy, and ideology
with other decision makers
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The Governor as Policy Maker and Political Leader Public-Opinion Leadership
Public relations Relationship with the Legislature
Must develop a good working relationship with key legislators Must use the powers of the governorship to assist the
legislative process, and sometimes, thwart it State of the state message and budget message Emergency proclamations Veto and the line-item veto Calling special sessions Set agenda for special sessions Direct appeals to voters Breakfasts with legislators Entertainment Individual meetings with legislative members Endorsements of speakers political risky
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The Plural Executive in Texas Attorney General
Elected official who is the chief counsel for the state of Texas
Comptroller of Public Accounts Elected official who is the state’s tax
collector Land Commissioner
Elected official responsible for managing and leasing the state’s property
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The Plural Executive in Texas Agricultural Commissioner
Elected official in charge of regulating and promoting agriculture
Railroad Commission Full-time, three-member paid commission elected by
the people to regulate oil and gas and some transportation entities
State Board of Education Fifteen-member elected body that sets some
education policy for the state and has limited authority to oversee the Texas Agency and school districts
Texas Education Agency The state agency that oversees local school districts
and disburses state funds to districts
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Modern Texas Bureaucracy Administrative Procedures Act
A statute containing Texas’s rule-making process Requires agency officials to seek written public
comments, and sometimes hold public hearings before adopting rules and regulations
Secretary of State State official appointed by the governor to be
the keeper of the state’s records (ex. State laws, election data and filings)
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Modern Texas Bureaucracy
Public Utility Commission Full-time, three member paid commission
appointed by the governor to regulate public utilities in Texas.
Quasi judicial role Receive petitions from companies or
individuals, hearing evidence in a hearing, similar to a judicial proceeding, and ruling on the petition.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Full-time, three member paid commission
appointed by governor to administer the state’s environmental programs.
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Modern Texas Bureaucracy
Insurance Commissioner Official appointed by the governor to
direct the Department of Insurance and regulate the insurance industry
Health and Human Services Commissioner Appointed by the governor to oversee
the state’s multi-agency health and human service programs
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Modern Texas Bureaucracy
Public Counsels Officials appointed by the governor to represent
the public before regulatory agencies Captured agencies
Boards and Commissions Govern agencies Example: Ten boards of trustees of Texas’s
colleges and universities run thirty-seven general academic institutions, nine medical schools and nine major services
Make policy Are generally appointed by governor with Senate
confirmation
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Top 15 State Agencies
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Making Agencies Accountable
The Sunset Process Sunset law: A law that sets a date for a
program or regulation to expire unless reauthorized by the legislature
Staff Size and Pay Staff has grown; pay varies Full-time equivalent (FTE)
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Making Agencies Accountable Regulating the Revolving Door
Revolving door: an exchange of personnel between private interests and public regulators
Regulating the Relationship between Agencies and Private Interests Power to interpret legislative intent makes
executive agencies policy powerhouses Agency capture Iron triangles