The Executive Branch

Transcription

1 The Executive Branch

2 Each state has its own constitution based on its unique history, needs, philosophy, and geography. Just like the national government, each state's constitution separates power between three branches -- legislative, judicial, and executive.

3 Georgia and most other states organize their government differently. There is a governor and a lieutenant government, but they are elected separately. They may or may not work as a team and can be of different political parties.

4 State Government: The Executive Branch Governor Nathan Deal The leader of the state of Georgia s executive branch is the Governor. In Georgia, our leader is Governor Nathan Deal. He does many of the same jobs as a president, but he does them at the state level. The governor s office, as well as the chambers of the state General Assembly are located at the capital (shown above).

5 Georgia s Governor Georgia s constitution places the chief executive power of the state in the hands of the governor. The governor is often referred to as the chief executive officer.

6 Who can be Governor? The Georgia constitution requires that a man or woman elected governor be A U.S. citizen for 15 years Legal resident of Georgia for 6 years. Must be at least 30 years old. The governor has a term of 4 years at the time of taking office, and may serve one additional term (total of 8 concurrent years.

7 Powers of the Governor The governor is the most powerful official in state government. Some of the governor s powers are formal - that is, they are written in the state constitution or state law.

8 Powers of the Governor In terms of formal powers, Georgia is considered to have a strong governor especially in terms of extensive power over the state budget. Other powers are informal. They are not spelled out in law but arise from custom and tradition, form the personal abilities of the governor (such as leadership), and from the expectations of the people.

9 Powers of the Governor A governor can pay an even stronger role when the speaker of the House and president of the Senate are of the same political party as the governor. Likewise, a governor is less powerful when the presiding officers in the legislature are of a different party.

10 Lieutenant Governor In addition to electing a governor and a lieutenant governor every 4 years. The lieutenant governor has the same qualifications as the governor. A U.S. citizen for 15 years Legal resident of Georgia for 6 years. Must be at least 30 years old.

11 Lieutenant Governor The constitution prescribes that the lieutenant governor serve as president of the Senate, presiding over sessions of the senate. The lieutenant governor s main role in the state government is not in the executive branch, however, but the legislature. Georgia voters also elect a number of other constitutional officers in the executive branch.

12 Executive Branch However, many laws authorize public services such as Education Highways, And public assistance But filling in the details of how the program will be conducted is left to an executive agency named in the law. An agency named is a unit of government such as a department, board, commission, or office.

13 The agency charged with the law: studies the new program, holds public hearings and adopts rules and regulations. In many cases, the executive branch becomes a partner in the lawmaking process. The role of the executive branch of state government is to administer state programs and execute (enforce) laws enacted by the legislature.

14 Georgia s Executive Branch Georgia also has a number of ELECTED executive department heads know as constitutional officers because their positions are provided for in the state constitution. These offices are elected independently and may be of different political parties. The governor, along with the lieutenant governor, is also a major legislative player. The governor sets forth a recommended legislative agenda, initiates the budget, and signs or vetoes legislative bills.

15 Georgia s Executive Branch Except for the power to propose their budgets, the governor has little formal power over constitutional officers and their departments. However, this does not mean that the governor has few powers.

16 The governor has several other important roles. These include the role of commander of both the Georgia State Patrol and the Georgia National Guard. The governor can also regulate trade agreements and he helps to bring additional businesses to Georgia. The governor is also responsible for communicating and working with bordering states especially when it comes to sharing similar resources. Governor s Protective Role Governor Nathan Deal

17 Lets Tour the Governor s House