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in Texas, the lieutenant governor is

one of the most powerful figures in the state

the lieutenant governor frequently presides over the

state senate, where they can influence legislative proceedings, cast tie-breaking votes, and help shape legislative agendas.

the second-highest executive official,

Lieutenant Governor

Members of the executive branch include the

lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller of public accounts, land commissioner, and agriculture commissioner are elected independently from the governor.

The procedures and grounds for impeachment

The process usually begins in the lower chamber (e.g., the House of Representatives or Assembly). Any member can propose articles of impeachment, outlining the charges against the governor. The full House votes on whether to impeach the governor. This is akin to an indictment by a grand jury in the judicial system. A simple majority is typically required to pass the articles of impeachment. If the House votes to impeach, the case moves to the state Senate for trial. The Senate acts as the jury, and in some states, the Chief Justice of the state Supreme Court presides over the trial. After hearing evidence and arguments, the Senate votes on whether to convict and remove the governor from office. A supermajority (usually two-thirds) is required for conviction.

Incumbent governors often have an _______ due to name recognition, established political networks, and access to campaign resources.

advantage

Gubernatorial elections

determine the executive leadership of each state. These elections typically occur every four years in most states. Most of these elections are held during midterm election years (even-numbered years not coinciding with presidential elections), though some states hold them during presidential election years. Gubernatorial races are typically competitive, both in primary and general elections.

Governors possess clemency powers

which include the ability to grant pardons, commutations, reprieves, and reprieves of sentences. Clemency powers allow governors to rectify miscarriages of justice, such as wrongful convictions or disproportionately harsh sentences. This aspect of their judicial powers underscores the governor's role in ensuring a fair and humane justice system.

The budget is a key tool for implementing policy. Through budget proposals and line-item vetoes, governors can shape the policy landscape of their states by

prioritizing funding for key initiatives and programs.

State of the State address

is an annual (or at the beginning of the legislative session in biennial sessions) speech delivered to the state legislature. This address outlines the administration's accomplishments, priorities, and legislative agenda for the upcoming year. This address sets the tone for the legislative session and focuses attention on key issues.

reduction veto

or the ability to reduce the amount of a particular line item in an appropriations bill.

or the ability to reduce the amount of a particular line item in an appropriations bill.

the legislature can accept the suggested changes, pass the original bill again, or take no action.

The line-item veto allows

governors to reject specific provisions or items within a larger appropriations bill without vetoing the entire bill. In particular, the line-item veto, allows a governor to exercise fiscal responsibility by eliminating specific expenditures they deem unnecessary or excessive.

A post-adjournment veto occurs when

the governor vetoes a bill after the regular legislative session ends (adjournment). The post-adjournment veto occurs when the legislature adjourns before the governor has had the constitutionally allotted time to consider a bill. Typically, this period is about 10 days, but it varies by state. This type of “pocket veto” is powerful in states like Texas where the legislature does not have the power to override the veto since the regular legislative session has ended.

A regular veto occurs when

a governor rejects an entire bill passed by the legislature. The vetoed bill is returned to the legislature with the governor’s objections.

These former powers of the govenor include

appointment power, veto power, message power, special session power, budgetary power, and judicial power

What powers do governors have to persuade the legislature?

Governors have the authority to block bills through the veto, or rejection, of the bills. The threat of the veto can persuade the legislature to amend a bill in favor of the governor. The influence governors exert over the budget process also affects the legislative process. In most states, the responsibility for preparing the budget rests with the governor. This allows the governor to set legislative priorities by determining, at least initially, how money will be spent.

According to Neustadt, the essence of executive power lies not in formal constitutional or statutory authority but in

the ability to persuade and bargain effectively

Governors can ____ legislation passed by the state legislature.

veto

Just as the president does not serve in Congress, governors

do not sit as members of state legislatures. However, like the president, they have enormous influence over the work a legislature does.

As the head of the executive branch, governors are responsible for preparing and presenting the

state budget

Governors can issue _________ to manage state government operations, respond to emergencies, or implement laws.

executive orders

Governors also serve as the ceremonial head of state and in many states as the head of government.

Ceremonial duties (e.g., signing bills and welcoming delegates) may translate into increased popularity and political power as the central figurehead of the state. As the head of government, the governor is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the state.

Governors have also been labeled as the chief legislator. In this role,

governors initiate major statewide legislative programs

The governor is also acrisis manager, which means they have the responsibility of

managing state responses to natural disasters, public health crises, and other emergencies

As the chief executive officer, governors are responsible for

implementing state laws, managing the executive branch, and serving as key figures in policymaking

governors possess a broad array of powers, including

significant budgetary authority, the ability to call special legislative sessions, executive orders, and extensive appointment powers

Governors are both the

chief executive (administrator) responsible for implementing laws and the chief legislator with the ability to recommend legislation to the state legislature

Alongside the governor, other key executive positions include

including lieutenant governors, attorneys general, secretaries of state, and various commissioners,

governor is

responsible for implementing and enforcing state laws and policies.

what is the executive branch responsible for

responsible for implementing and enforcing state laws and policies.

The governorship in the State of Texas is an institutionally _____ position compared to the office in other states.

weak position

how many votes needed for a majority in texas state house of representatives

seventy-six votes were necessary for a majority in the Texas State House of Representatives.

At the heart of money being spent by the government is the

taxpayer

State and local governments spend most of the taxpayers’ money on

social services and education.

Local governments primarily depend on _____ to generate revenue.

property and sales taxes

Progressive taxes

This means individuals or entities with higher incomes pay a larger percentage of their income in taxes.

Regressive taxes

impose a higher tax burden on lower-income individuals than on higher income individuals.

proportional taxes

everyone pays the same percentage of their income in taxes.

property taxes are

These taxes are ad valorem, meaning "according to the value of the property." The tax amount is determined by the property's assessed value as evaluated by local assessors.

State governments impose _____ on the extraction of natural resources such as oil, natural gas, coal, and minerals.

severance taxes

A ______ provides executives the right to veto parts of a spending bill approved by a legislature without having to veto the entire bill

line item veto

the governor of texas has

a few formal powers, so the office is one of the weakest chief executives in the US

which of the following arguments best describes the level of control the govenor has over the budgetary process?

governors can only affect expenditures at the edges of the overall budget

in nearly all states, excluding texas, the ____ has the responsibility for preparing a budget

governor

what is the ultimate check on the govenor?

impeachment

in texas, the govenors state of the state address is an example of th epower

message

arguably, the most powerful position in the texas state politics in the

lieutenant governor

heavier tax burdens upon the wealthy are usually defended on the principle of

ability to pay

the most costly function provided by local govenments is

education

income tax rates that decrease with increases in income are

regressive

tax burden refers to

the proportion of taxes paid in relation to person income

state and local governments get most of their money from

taxes

the ___ tax is a major revenue source for local governments

property

the costliest public assistance program in the states is

medicaid

what is trye of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

It strengthened work requirements for recipients and limited the time that families can receive benefits.

the factor that distinguishes medicare from medicaid is that

medicare is a federal health care program for people over the age of 65

money provided by the american govt to parents for payments for their children’s tuition in a public or private school of their choice is known as a _____

voucher