Texas Executive Branch

• Essential Questions:– Compare the

principles and concepts of the Texas Constitution and U.S. Constitution

– Describe the structure and function of government at the state level

The Function of the Executive Branch

• Execute or carry out the laws and policies established by the legislature

• Executive power is shared by those elected and those appointed by the governor

The Governor of Texas• 4-year term with no term

limits• 48 Texas governors• Greg Abbott is the current

governor• Rick Perry is the previous

governor and longest serving governor in Texas history

• Miriam Ferguson (1924, 1932) and Ann Richards (1990) are the only women to serve as Texas governor

Executive Powers of the Governor

• Makes appointments to boards and commissions.

• Can remove officials that have engaged in misconduct from their positions

• The Senate must approve the governor’s decision to remove anyone he or she has appointed to a board or commission

Legislative Powers of the Governor

• Three of importance:– Address the legislature– Power of veto

• The line-term veto– Allowed by the Texas

Constitution

– Gives governor power to reject particular items in appropriations bills (spending)

– Calls special sessions

Other Powers of the Governor

• Appoints members to Board of Pardons and Paroles, the Board of Criminal Justice, the Texas Youth Commission, and other law enforcement commissions

• Can delay execution of prisoners• Can appoint judges to fill vacancies

until regular elections are held• Represents Texas at meetings,

celebrations, and ceremonies• Serves as commander in chief of

Texas– In charge of the Texas State Guard– Can declare martial law in case of a state

emergency

Other Elected Members• Five other elected

members that operate outside the governor’s control:– Lieutenant Governor– Attorney General– Comptroller of Public

Accounts– Commissioner of the

General Land Office– Commissioner of

Agriculture

The State Board of Education• The State Board of

Education manages and invests in the $20 billion Permanent School Fund used to finance education in Texas public schools.

• Barbara Cargill is the current Chair of SBOE. She represents Houston and Southeast Texas.