Executive and Governor

Plural Executive

A system where multiple top executive officials are elected, limiting the governor’s power and creating independent officeholders.

Article IV

The article of the Texas Constitution that covers the executive branch.

Constitution of 1876

Created the plural executive to limit executive power after Reconstruction.

Elected Executive Officials

Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller, Land Commissioner, Agriculture Commissioner, Railroad Commission, and State Board of Education.

Appointed Executive Official

Secretary of State.

Lieutenant Governor

Elected official who presides over the Senate and is first in line to succeed the Governor.

Lieutenant Governor’s Power

Has more legislative than executive authority, unique to Texas.

Lieutenant Governor Duties

Appoints Senate committees, assigns bills, and casts tie-breaking votes.

Attorney General

The state’s chief lawyer; defends Texas in civil cases and gives legal opinions.

Attorney General’s Divisions

Consumer Protection, Environmental Protection, Tort Litigation, Collections, and more.

Attorney General’s Federal Role

Can sue the federal government on behalf of Texas.

Comptroller of Public Accounts

Texas’ chief tax collector, accountant, and budget certifier.

Comptroller Duties

Collects taxes, returns unclaimed property, certifies the budget, and manages state funds.

Balanced Budget Requirement

The state cannot spend more than it collects in revenue.

Biennial Revenue Estimate (BRE)

The Comptroller’s projection of revenue used for budgeting.

Override BRE

Requires 4/5ths majority in both legislative chambers (never done before).

Land Commissioner

Oversees management of public lands, mineral rights, and natural resources.

Importance of Land Revenues

Funds public education and compensates for no state income tax.

Commissioner of Agriculture

Enforces state agricultural laws and leads the Texas Department of Agriculture.

Agriculture Department Duties

Regulates farming, food safety, animal quarantine, and weights/measures.

Texas Railroad Commission

Regulates oil, gas, and energy industries (no longer railroads).

TRRC Structure

Three elected commissioners serving 6-year staggered terms.

State Board of Education

Oversees K–12 public education in Texas.

SBOE Duties

Sets graduation requirements, accreditation standards, and textbook selections.

Secretary of State

Appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate; administers elections and maintains state records.

Secretary of State Duties

Conducts voter registration drives, manages election returns, provides official results.

Plural Executive Goal

Disperse executive power and prevent domination by the Governor.

Elected vs Appointed

Elected: Governor, Lt. Governor, AG, Comptroller, Land, Agriculture, Railroad, SBOE. Appointed: Secretary of State and most boards/commissions.