The plural Executive (Chapter 5)

The Plural Executive

An executive branch in which the functions have been divided among several, mostly elected, office holders rather than residing in a single person, the governor

Elected

Governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller, agriculture commissioner, & land commissioner

appointed

Secretary of state

Lieutenant Governor

Elected in a statewide election to a 4-year term, separately from the governor - The presiding officer of the Texas Senate - Assumes the role of governor if the governor leaves the state or for some reason leaves office - Cochairs the Legislative Budget Board - Dan Patrick since January 2015.

Attorney General

Elected in a statewide election to serve a 4-year term - Serves as the legal representation for the state - Charged with ensuring that corporations in Texas comply with state and federal laws- Collects unpaid child support and delinquent state taxes- Issues advisory opinions to the governor's office, the legislature, or other state agencies- Ken Paxton

Comptroller of Public Accounts

Elected to a 4-year term in a statewide election - No professional qualifications required - Serves as the state's accountant, auditor, and tax collector - Estimates the amount of revenue the state will generate each year - Responsible for collecting many state taxes and fees - Manages and invests state funds- Glenn Hegar

The Agriculture commissioner

Elected to a 4-year term in a state wide election - Heads the Department of Agriculture and implements state agricultural law- Inspects the accuracy of market scales and gas pumps throughout the state - Regulates the use of pesticides and the quality of agricultural products - Promotes Texas agriculture - Sid Miller; Not a constitutionally mandated position - Administers school nutrition programs in conjunction with the U.S. government - Supports rural economic development via grants for infrastructure such as parks and roads, as well as acquisition of broadband services - Administers the Texas Certified Retirement Community Program

Land Commissioner

• Elected to 4-year term in statewide election - Administers the state's public lands - Makes low-interest loans available to veterans - Administers the Permanent School Fund, which receives revenue from sale and use of state lands, including mineral extraction - George P. Bush; - The General Land Office comprises several other offices and agencies which oversee operations of different aspects of the Land Commissioner's responsibilities - Recently the office has acquired partial responsibility for environmental protection of public lands, and has begun to expand into generation of wind power across the state

Secretary of state

• Appointed by the governor, pending Senate confirmation, to a 4-year term - Serves as the state's record keeper- Maintains a list of lobbyist and campaign contributions - issues corporate charters, certifies notaries public, and keeps the official state seal- Maintains public records concerning banking and other business activity in the state, including non-profits- David Whitley- Jane Nelson; Acts as chief administrator for the office of Texas Border and Mexican Affairs- Administers elections, including voter registration drives and certifying election results- Designated as the chief protocol officer who receives international delegations