Governing Texas – Chapter 08: The Executive Branch

Vocabulary flashcards covering major offices, powers, and concepts of the Texas executive branch as presented in Chapter 08 of Governing Texas.

Executive Branch (Texas)

The branch of Texas state government responsible for carrying out and enforcing laws; characterized by multiple elected and appointed officials.

Plural Executive

A system in which executive power is divided among several independently elected officials, limiting the governor’s formal authority.

Institutional Power Index

A comparative measure of governors’ formal powers across states; Texas ranks 41st, indicating a weak governorship.

Governor of Texas

The chief executive officer of the state with limited formal powers but significant political influence; currently Greg Abbott.

Line-Item Veto

The governor’s authority to strike specific spending items from an appropriations bill without vetoing the entire measure.

Post-Adjournment Veto

A veto issued by the governor after the legislature has adjourned, preventing legislators from overriding it.

Special Session

A legislative meeting of up to 30 days called exclusively by the governor to address specified issues.

Martial Law

The temporary imposition of military authority over civilian populations during emergencies, declared by the governor.

Senatorial Courtesy

An informal rule giving a state senator the power to block a gubernatorial appointee from that senator’s district.

Appointment Power

The governor’s authority to name individuals to more than 400 boards, commissions, and agencies, subject to Senate confirmation.

Patronage

The practice of rewarding political supporters with government jobs, grants, or favors via appointment power.

Impeachment (Texas)

The House’s formal accusation of wrongdoing against a governor, followed by a Senate trial that can remove the governor with a two-thirds vote.

Succession

The process by which the lieutenant governor becomes governor if the office is vacated, or acts as governor when the governor is absent.

Lieutenant Governor

The second-highest statewide elected official who presides over the Senate and wields substantial legislative influence; currently Dan Patrick.

Legislative Budget Board (LBB)

A joint committee co-chaired by the lieutenant governor that drafts the primary state budget and limits the governor’s budget power.

Message Power

The governor’s ability to communicate policy goals to the legislature, including the annual State of the State address.

National Guard (Texas)

State military units the governor commands unless federalized; used for border security and disaster relief.

Clemency

The governor’s limited power to grant pardons, paroles, and reprieves, constrained by the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Board of Pardons and Paroles

Agency that reviews clemency applications and limits unilateral gubernatorial pardoning.

Texas Disaster Act of 1975

Law granting the governor broad emergency powers to issue executive orders with force of law during declared disasters.

Sunset Advisory Commission (SAC)

A legislative body that reviews state agencies every 12 years and recommends continuation, modification, or abolition.

Attorney General (AG)

The elected chief civil lawyer of Texas, empowered to issue legal opinions and handle child-support enforcement; currently Ken Paxton.

Comptroller of Public Accounts

Elected official who collects state revenues and certifies the financial estimates required for legislative appropriations.

Commissioner of the General Land Office (GLO)

Elected administrator of Texas’s public lands, mineral leases, and Veterans’ Land Program.

Agriculture Commissioner

Elected official who enforces agricultural laws, oversees food inspection, pest control, and weights and measures.

Secretary of State (Texas)

Appointed chief election officer who administers voter registration and certifies election results.

Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC)

Three-member elected board that regulates oil, gas, and formerly railroads; once one of the most powerful agencies.

State Board of Education (SBOE)

Fifteen-member elected board that sets K-12 curriculum standards, graduation requirements, and textbook selection.

Legislative Off-Year Election

Scheduling statewide elections in non-presidential years, contributing to lower voter turnout for gubernatorial races.

Qualifications for Governor

Must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen, and a Texas resident for five years prior to election.

Four-Year Term

Length of service for Texas governors since 1974; no constitutional term limits exist.

Governor’s Salary

Set by the legislature at $153,750 annually, plus residence, vehicle, aircraft, and staff.

Staff (Governor)

Approximately 300 employees—including chief of staff, counsel, and press secretary—who aid in policy, appointments, and legislative liaison.

Senate Confirmation

Requirement that two-thirds of senators present approve most gubernatorial appointments.

Texas Department of Insurance

Agency headed by a governor-appointed commissioner that regulates the state insurance market.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission

Governor-appointed board overseeing state parks, wildlife management, and conservation.

ERCOT

Electric Reliability Council of Texas; a nonprofit grid operator whose failures in 2021 highlighted agency accountability issues.

State Bureaucracy

The network of over 400 boards, commissions, and agencies that implement Texas laws and employ more than 330,000 people.

Emergency Executive Orders

Directives issued by the governor under disaster declarations that carry the force of law.

Texas Workforce Commission

Agency responsible for unemployment benefits; struggled with claims surges during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Veterans’ Land Program

GLO-managed initiative providing land and home loan benefits to Texas military veterans.

Weights and Measures (Dept. of Agriculture)

Regulatory responsibility ensuring accuracy of commercial scales, gas pumps, and measuring devices.

Message State of the State

Biennial address in which the governor outlines priorities and emergency items for legislative consideration.

Legislative Oversight of Emergency Powers

Efforts by state legislatures to limit or review governors’ disaster authority, a trend accelerated after Covid-19.

James “Pa” Ferguson

The only Texas governor impeached and removed from office (1917) for misapplication of funds.

Rick Perry

Texas’s longest-serving governor (2000–2014) who assumed office through succession and won three full terms.

George W. Bush

First Texas governor elected to two consecutive four-year terms (1994, 1998) before becoming U.S. president.

Senatorial Two-Thirds Removal Rule

Provision requiring two-thirds of senators present to remove an appointee if the governor seeks dismissal for cause.

Public Safety Commission

Three-member board appointed by the governor to oversee the Department of Public Safety.

Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC)

Regulates the alcoholic beverage industry; members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate.

Sunset Review

Periodic evaluation of state agencies by SAC to determine if they should continue, be reformed, or be abolished.