PSC 102 - Governors and Executives

PSC 102 - JSU - Governors and Executives

Governors

________ are like mini-presidents in their states.

governor

The __________ commands the lion’s share of political attention in a state, is generally seen as setting the agenda for the legislative branch, and is basically the lead political actor—the figure most likely to appear on television on a regular basis.

governor

The _______ tends to receive the blame or enjoy the credit for the performance of the economy.

governor

The _______, as head of the executive branch, is in charge of executing the laws passed by the legislature.

executive

The governor, as head of the _______ branch, is in charge of executing the laws passed by the legislature.

executive

The _______ branch of each state is in charge of executing the laws passed by the legislatures.

executing the laws passed by the legislatures.

The executive branch of in each state is in charge of:

governor

But the _______ also acts to shape the legislative agenda, generally setting the terms of debate when it comes to passage of budgets and often convincing legislators to pursue a particular policy course

shape the legislative agenda, generally setting the terms of debate when it comes to passage of budgets and often convincing legislators to pursue a particular policy course

But the governor also acts to:

True 

True or False:
The amount of power granted to governors varies by state.

False

True or False:
The amount of power granted to governors is the same for each state.

governor

The ________ shares responsibility for running the government—implementing laws, issuing regulations, and doing the work of building the roads, maintaining the parks, and performing other public functions—with the help of a cabinet.

implementing laws, issuing regulations, and doing the work of building the roads, maintaining the parks, and performing other public functions

The governor shares responsibility for running the government along with the help of the cabinet. This includes what tasks?

True 

True or False:
Governors have help in running state-level departments of agriculture, finance, environmental protection, and so on.

Texas

What state allow a governor to remain in office as long as the voters keep putting him or her there?

two consecutive terms

Some governors in the United States have term limits, typically of_________.

powerful

Governors are now, with few exceptions, often not just the most famous politicians in their states but also the most ______.

New Hampshire ; Vermont

All states except ______ and ________ have four year gubernational terms.

distrust

Following the American Revolution, governors had very little power for one simple reason. What was the reason?

plural-executive system

Following the American Revolution, some states adopted a _____________, which the governor was but one elected administrator among many legislatures. 

plural-executive system

A state government system in which the governor is not the dominant figure in the executive branch but, instead, is more of a first among equals, serving alongside numerous other officials who were elected to their offices rather than appointed by the governor.

True 

True or False:
Governors do not sit as members of state legislatures.

do not 

Choose: do / do not 
Governors (do / do not) sit as members of state legislatures.

which bills become laws.

Governors never get everything they want from state legislatures, but they do have a great deal of impact on:

the governor’s signature,

Bills almost never become law without:

veto

Governors have ______ power.

pass the bill again by a supermajority vote, often a vote of two-thirds

Legislators can get around a veto, but that often means that they have to:

super majority 

Two thirds of the votes is known as the:

one-third plus one vote

A governor needs the support of only ____________ in either chamber to sustain a veto.

governor

In nearly every state, the main responsibility for creating a state budget rests in the office of the ________.

governor

The ability to hire and fire people, however, as well as the ability to determine how much money the state’s departments are going to get, means that the ________ is truly the leader of the executive branch of government.

executive 

The governor is truly the leader of each states _________ branch of government. 

governor

A ________ acts as the chief spokesperson and public face of a state’s government in good times as well as bad

Their stature is such that they can open doors that would remain closed to economic development staff of the head of the state chamber of commerce.

Governors go on multiple overseas trips each year because:

more federal money for their states.

Governors are also important lobbyists in Washington, seeking:

concerned 

In the video, most parents are ______ about the governor’s decision to lift the mask mandate.

uninformed

concerned

excited

angry

chief spokesperson

During emergency situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which gubernatorial role is most amplified and receives intense public scrutiny?

chief legislator

chief spokesperson

party chief

head of state agencies

chief spokesperson

In response to parent concerns about lifting the mask mandate in schools, the governor of Massachusetts holds a briefing to discuss why the government believes it is safe to end the mandate. In this example, the governor is acting in the role of ______.

chief spokesperson

party chief

head of state agencies

chief legislator

How has presidential election turnout changed since 1996?

It decreased and then increased.

It has decreased overall.

It has stayed relatively stable.

It has increased overall.

chief legislator

A governor’s command of the state budget makes them particularly influential in their role as ______.

party chief

chief legislator

head of state agencies

chief spokesperson for the state

True 

True or False:
In a plural-executive system, the governor is one elected administrator among many.

chief spokesperson for the state

The coronavirus pandemic amplified the importance of governors and their role as a ______.

head of state agencies

chief spokesperson for the state

chief legislator

party chief

False ; Governors

True or False:
State legislators are regarded as the leading figures of their parties within their states

formal powers

The powers explicitly granted to a governor according to state law, such as being able to veto legislation and to appoint heads of state agencies.

informal powers

The things a governor is able to do, such as command media attention and persuade party members, based on personality or position, not on formal authority.

appoint officials to run state agencies, the power to veto legislation, the power to craft budgets, the power to grant pardons, and the power to call legislatures into session.

Among the most important powers that the governor is able to do are the powers to:

governor 

Who has the powers to do the following:
appoint officials to run state agencies, the power to veto legislation, the power to craft budgets, the power to grant pardons, and the power to call legislatures into session.

appointment powers

A governor’s ability to pick individuals to run state government, such as cabinet secretaries.

line item veto 

When a governor can reject just a portion of a bill, this is known as a:

state’s constitution

Power to grant pardons, power to veto, power to prepare state budgets, and power to prepare special sessions are written out in the:

wield informal powers

the ability to leverage the power and prestige of the office into real influence in a way that may not be replicated by successors.

bully pulpit

The platform from which a high-profile public official, such as governor or president, commands considerable public and media attention by virtue of holding office.

False

True or False:
Political success is often unrealistic for governors if the opposing party controls the legislature.

the power to appoint

Which of the following is a formal power of governors?

the power to appoint

the power to use the bully pulpit

the ability to communicate

the ability to garner party support in the legislature

popular support

Which of the following is an informal power of governors?

appointment

popular support

veto

calling special sessions

shape their states’ budgets

The most powerful tool governors have is their ability to ______.

pick their own teams

appeal to both capital insiders and the public

shape their states’ budgets

grant pardons

True

True or False:
Nonpoliticians have been elected governor in a handful of states.

False

True or False:
Most states now hold their gubernatorial elections in the same year as the presidential contests.

the ability to raise money

Which of the following is a necessary qualification for modern governors?

Multiple Choice Question

public support

government experience

the ability to raise money

personal wealth

economy

The dominant concern in most gubernatorial contests is the state’s ______.

infrastructure

public education system

justice system

economy

impeachment

A process by which the legislature can remove executive branch officials, such as the governor, or judges from office for corruption or other reasons.

recall election

A special election allowing voters to remove an elected official from office before the end of their term.

term limits

Which is considered the most common threat to gubernatorial staying power?

Multiple Choice Question

term limits

impeachment

fines

criminal conviction

False

True or False:
In the past few decades, it has become common for governors to prematurely leave office involuntarily.

recall

Which of these allows voters to remove an elected official from office before the end of their term?

censure

recall

impeachment

criminal conviction

serving as a cabinet official

Which is considered a step-up on the professional ladder from being a governor?

serving as a cabinet official

entering the state assembly

becoming a lobbyist

starting a business

lieutenant governor

Which state office has traditionally been something of a joke position with little under its purview?

Multiple Choice Question

attorney general

lieutenant governor

secretary of state

treasurer

False; they oversee state elections 

True or False:
Secretaries of state are specifically designated by state constitutions to focus primarily on business matters, including the issuing of business licenses.

attorney general

The office of the ______ has undergone the greatest transformation in recent years.

secretary of state

attorney general

lieutenant governor

state superintendent

attorney general 

Who is considered the top law enforcement officer in any U.S. state?

lieutenant governor

attorney general

governor

secretary of state

line-item veto

Suppose the Indiana legislature has just approved the state budget, which provides $3 million to refurbish Indiana University’s football stadium in Bloomington. The governor wants to increase that number to $4 million to build new luxury suites wherein his highest donors can enjoy Hoosier games. Which formal tool could the governor use to accomplish this end?

Multiple Choice Question

popular support

appointment

line-item veto

calling a special session

a supermajority vote

Which of these is required in order to get around a governor’s veto?

Multiple Choice Question

a filibuster

a logroll

a supermajority vote

a bully pulpit

True

True or False:
Historically, the office of the governor has been dominated by middle-aged white males.

governor

Which of these individuals is the only statewide official elected in every state?

Multiple Choice Question

lieutenant governor

governor

secretary of state

attorney general

True 

True or False:
Entering the U.S. Senate or serving as a cabinet official is considered a step-up on the professional ladder from being a governor.

the power to call special sessions

If a governor wants the state legislature to deal with a particular issue, like cannabis legalization right away, they should exercise which formal power?

Multiple Choice Question

the power to veto

the power to grant pardons

the power to veto.

the power to call special sessions

False

True or False:
Wealthy governors are considered a recent phenomenon in U.S. history.

governors

U.S. senators might be more influential figures, but ______ are more important politically at home.

mayors

governors

alderpersons

state representatives

a recall election 

If the voters in California were unhappy with the performance of their government and they wanted to remove them from office before the end of their term, they would do so via ______.

impeachment

senatorial censure

conviction

a recall election

attorney general

Which of these state officials has become a major political player in recent years?

Multiple Choice Question

lieutenant governor

attorney general

treasurer

secretary of state

making a TV show appearances

Which of these actions will most likely increase a governor's public support?

calling special sessions

utilizing the line-item veto

pardoning convicted individuals

making a TV show appearances

False

True or False:
Governors have a minimal impact on whether bills become laws in their states.

They all resigned due to a sex scandal.

What commonality do the following former governors share: Andrew Cuomo, Robert Bentley, and Jim McGreevey?

Multiple Choice Question

They all resigned due to a sex scandal.

They all governed New York.

They all were impeached and convicted.

They all survived recall elections.

nonpolitician

Borth Sampson is a former pro skateboarder and carwash franchise owner who has decided to run for the governor’s seat. Apart from being elected as one of Thrasher magazine’s skateboard ambassadors, he has no political experience to speak of. How should his candidacy be classified?

Multiple Choice Question

nonpolitician

policy wonk

political veteran

rising establishment star

False

True or False:
The top law enforcement officer in the state is the governor.