Ms. Valentine's Notes

Unit 3

Texas Executive Branch

Governor and Lt. Governor

•Four year term

•Qualification

–30 years of age

–United States Citizen

–Resident of Texas for at least 5 years before becoming Governor.

Compensation and Benefits

•Annual salary of $115,345

•Governor’s mansion

•Car

•Offices

•Staff

•Operating and travel expenses

Powers

•Texas Governors are limited in power.

•Executive powers are divided among different executive officials who are elected by the people rather than appointed by the Governor.

                   -power is divided between the attorney general, comptroller, land commissioner, agricultural commissioner and others.

Legislative power

•Veto power which included item vetoes.

•The ability to call special sessions of the legislature.

Executive Powers

•The governor appoints as many as 4,000 people which include the secretary of state and the adjutant general of the National Guard.

•Issues stays of execution and pardons.

•Distributes federal money.

•Commands the Texas Rangers and the Department of Public Safety.

•Submits a state budget.

•Represents the state of Texas.

Lt. Governor

Replaces the Governor when the Governor is absent or unable to serve.

Serves as president of the Senate.

Other Officials

•Attorney General – the state’s chief lawyer

•Comptroller of public Accounts – collects taxes, estimates the state’s revenue for budgeting, in charge of state payments, and sits on several financial boards.

•Commissioner of Agriculture – enforces agricultural laws and policies and promotes Texas products around the world.

•Commissioner of the General Land Office – manages the state’s public lands, including mineral rights.