THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF STATE GOVERNMENT THE GOVERNOR

THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF STATE GOVERNMENT

THE GOVERNOR • The governor is the Chief Executive Officer of the state. • Our current governor is Nathan Deal (Rep).

THE GOVERNOR’S TERM • The governor is elected by a majority of the popular vote for a 4 year term. • The Georgia constitution allows governors to serve 2 consecutive terms. • Is it possible for a person to serve as governor for eight years? • After a second term, an individual must wait four more years before being able to run again.

QUALIFICATIONS TO BE GOVERNOR • At least 30 years old • U. S. Citizen for at least 15 years • Resident of Georgia for at least 6 years • Who was Georgia’s youngest governor? Richard B. Russell (age 33)

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE GOVERNOR DIES/RESIGNS? • The Lieutenant Governor becomes acting governor until the next general election for members of the General Assembly • If the governor AND the lieutenant governor die/resign the Speaker of the House becomes acting governor until the next general election of the General Assembly

FORMAL POWERS OF THE GOVERNOR • Formal powers are powers the constitution gives to the governor • They include executive, legislative and judicial powers. • Give examples of how the governor can do all three.

FORMAL POWERS OF THE GOVERNOR • Carries out the laws of the state • Appoints people to committee and positions • Reviews and creates the state budget • Proposes new laws • Signs bills into laws • Vetoes laws • Makes annual “State of the State” address to the legislature • Serves as Commander-in. Chief of the Georgia National Guard • Heads the state’s civil defense units • Sends the Georgia Highway Patrol and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in times of danger

INFORMAL POWERS OF THE GOVERNOR • Informal powers are powers that are not written, but the governor can do. • Some are the result of custom and tradition • Others are necessary to enforce the formal powers

INFORMAL POWERS OF THE GOVERNOR • Issues proclamations to • Acts as honorary head of honor individuals, holidays his/her political party or special events • Represents Georgia in meetings with other state • Participates on special state and federal officials and committees foreign dignitaries • Appears at special events • Appoints individuals to boards and executive offices • Works with members of • Communicates to the public personal position on issues the legislature (General Assembly) to get laws passed • Guides state agencies

THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR • Our current Lieutenant Governor is Casey Cagle (Rep).

THE LT. GOVERNOR’S TERM • The governor is elected by a majority of the popular vote for a 4 year term. • Unlike the governor, the lieutenant governor can serve an unlimited number of consecutive terms. • Is it possible for a person to serve as lieutenant governor for 16 years? Explain.

YES! ZELL MILLER DID! • Zell Miller was the longest serving Lt. Governor in GA history • He served from 1975 -1991 • 16 years – 4 terms!

QUALIFICATIONS TO BE LT. GOVERNOR (SAME AS GOVERNOR) • At least 30 years old • U. S. Citizen for at least 15 years • Resident for Georgia for at least 6 years

HOW ARE GEORGIA LT. GOVERNORS DIFFERENT FROM A CANDIDATE FOR VICE PRESIDENT OF THE U. S. ? • They do not run on a ticket system/running mates of governor • They run independently • Therefore, the state’s two highest elected officials may be from different political parties and view each other as political opponents • Has this ever happened before?

YES!! IN 2002… • November 2002, when Republican Sonny Perdue won election as governor and Democrat Mark Taylor won reelection as lieutenant governor. • Given that the lieutenant governor is in the unique position of being a member of both the executive and legislative branches, one who does not have a compatible working relationship with a governor would be well placed to impede a governor's legislative agenda.

ROLE OF THE LT. GOVERNOR • Becomes acting governor if current governor dies/resigns • Serves as the chief executive officer when the governor is out • Presiding officer of the state senate – Makes senate committee appointments – Assigns senate bills to committees – Recognizes members of the senate who wish to speak – Because of these powers, the lieutenant governor may affect the passage or failure of some bills.

GEORGIA’S OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS • Attorney General (4 year terms) – Chief legal officer of the state • Commissioner of Agriculture (4 yrs) – Directs agricultural programs, maintains state farmers’ markets, supervises inspections, expands market • Commissioner of Insurance (4 yrs) – regulates insurance carriers and issues insurance licenses

GEORGIA’S OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS • Commissioner of Labor (4 yrs) – Regulates the health and safety of workers, enforces labor laws, administers unemployment insurance programs, maintains data on labor • Public Service Commissioners (6 yrs) – Regulates utilities, controls rates/services of transportation, telephone and electric companies • Secretary of State (4 yrs) – Keeps state’s official records, publishes laws passed by legislature, supervises elections, appoints examining boards • State School Superintendant (4 yrs) – Directs statewide educational programs, enforces education regulations, administers education funds, certifies and licenses teachers, approve textbooks

APPOINTED OFFICIAL, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS • A statutory official – position is not provided for in constitution. Their jobs are called for by a statute (law). • Statutory officials are NOT elected. • They are appointed by the governor or head or directing boards of the dept in which they serve • In addition, there are over 30 major agencies in our government that were created by constitution or statute –

ARE THERE MORE ELECTED OFFICIALS OR APPOINTED OFFICIALS IN GEORGIA’S EXECUTIVE BRANCH? • Appointed! • What does that mean about the governor’s power/influence? • He/She has a lot of power/influence in the Executive Branch • In which departments would Georgia voters most likely be able to make a change? • In departments with Elected Commissioners

WHAT ARE SOME OF THOSE STATE AGENCIES? • Department of Education: (DOE) certifies teachers, approves textbooks, and distributes funds. State agency: Board of Education (appointed) and the State Superintendent of Schools (elected) • Department of Human Resources: (DHR) one of the largest of the state agencies, assistance for the aging, family and children’s services, and mental health. State agency: Board of Human Resources

WHAT ARE SOME OF THOSE STATE AGENCIES? • Department of Public Safety: (DPS) enforces traffic laws, helps public safety agencies reduce crime, and responds to natural and manmade disasters State agency: Board of Public Safety • Department of Transportation: (DOT) plans, constructs, and maintains highways and bridges; also supports other forms of transportation, such as buses and bicycle trails State agency: Board of Transportation

WHAT ARE SOME OF THOSE STATE AGENCIES? • Department of Economic Development: (DED) supports the economy through local and international business expansion, technology development, tourism, film, and music. State agency: Board of Industry, Trade, and Tourism • Department of Natural Resources: (DNR) helps conserve and protect natural and cultural resources by managing state parks, historic sites, and fishing and wildlife areas. State agency: Board of Natural Resources