The Executive Branch of Texas Government

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to the executive branch of Texas government, focusing on the structure, roles, and powers within the state.

Texas's Plural Executive

An executive branch that disperses power across multiple elected officials, limiting any single official's control.

Lieutenant Governor

The second-highest elected official in Texas, significant for both executive and legislative powers, often seen as more powerful than the governor.

Impeachment

The formal charge initiated by the House of Representatives that can lead to the removal of an elected official after a trial in the Senate.

Line-item veto

The power of the executive to reject specific provisions of a bill while approving the rest, particularly in budget appropriations.

Senatorial courtesy

A practice in Texas where the governor seeks the approval of the senator from the appointee's home district before a nomination.

Executive budget

The state budget prepared and submitted by the governor, indicating their spending priorities, which is overshadowed by the legislative budget.

Bureaucracy

The complex structure of offices and rules involved in managing the various functions of a large organization, particularly in government.

Discretionary power

The authority of bureaucrats to make decisions based on their judgment, often leading to significant policy implications.

Rulemaking authority

The power of an agency to create regulations and policies that govern individual and organizational behavior.

Principal-agent problem

A conflict of interest that arises when one party (the agent) acts on behalf of another party (the principal) and their interests diverge.

Texas Governor

The chief executive of Texas, whose powers are notably constrained by the plural executive system, focusing primarily on appointment, veto, and some legislative influence.

Attorney General of Texas

The state's chief legal officer, providing legal representation to the state and issuing opinions on the legality of government actions.

Comptroller of Public Accounts

The chief fiscal officer of Texas, responsible for tax collection, revenue forecasting, and certifying the state budget.

Legislative Budget Board (LBB)

A powerful joint legislative committee that develops the primary state budget, often overshadowing the governor's executive budget.