Texas Governors Essay

Governors of Texas play major roles in all aspects of the powers of each branch within the government. Texas’ governors share the same responsibilities as other state governors but with only a few differences. The role of the governor is to head a public organization as a leader or chief by directing or controlling it. Texas governors, as well as other state governors, are limited with their powers of what they can control and what they can not by way of the statues dictated in their state constitutions.

In Texas, Virginia, and California, only to name a few, governors are acting Commander-in-Chief for their state. This gives them the power to call upon their state militia forces, including the National Guard or any other state reserve

company it may have. Each can grant pardons and commute sentences under certain circumstances. California does not grant commute sentencing for cases of impeachment and Virginia does not grant commute fines or issue pardons that are cases of conviction issued by their House of Delegates. Virginia governors could restore voting rights and overturn other political penalties on a person to person basis. Although Texas governors may grant reprieves, commutation of punishment and pardons, they only due them upon recommendation of the Board of Pardons and Paroles. Each state has to do special State of the State addresses to the Legislature at the beginning or during each regular session. Of the three states mentioned, they each possess the power to sign or veto bills passed by the legislature, but they also hold the ability to use a line-item veto which allows them to remove a particular item/part from the appropriations but leaving others intact. Governors convene special sessions to fill vacancies as needed for the panel. All states except for Vermont and New Hampshire, terms are listed for four years, whereas theirs are two years. Texas governors are accountable for estimating the amount of money for taxation increases and all public monies received or paid out to him but also required to recommend a budget for the next two years.
In the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a plural executive is “a group of officers or major officials or a committee that functions in making decisions or in giving routine orders usually the responsibility of an individual executive officer or official”.

According to Governing Texas textbook, plural executive is an executive branch that has a limited amount of power due to officeholders within the state being independent towards the election of the governor. Qualifications for an elected governor in Texas must be that of one to be at least thirty years of age, an United States citizen, and a resident of five years or more of Texas. Many of the past governors of Texas have been of Democratic standings, wealthy, educated, middle-aged, and white men Protestants. Of all the governors elected only two have been women and not one minority was successful in his/her running. There are seven seats, the only official one seat that the Texas governor appoints is the Secretary of State, the other six are elected independently and do not campaign for office, those include the lieutenant governor, the attorney general, land commissioner of agriculture, the comptroller, and the commissioner of the General Land Office. These positions are also known as the single executives and in turn are appointed by the governor and lieutenant governor to run the executive branch while serving at their own accord. Besides being independently elected, they do not have to answer to the governor or

work together in a cabinet setting.
The arguments for and against plural executive vary. Many advocates argue that a plural executive is beneficial by keeping the governing body weak to keep from having any powers abused by any one person in the position. This was made apparent by the Texas Constitution enforcement. Then there are the opponents to the plural executive. They believe the problem lies within the governor’s office of being too weak. Governors are not able to govern as needed, creating a “tug-of-war” scenario among the elected officials creating undermining of the governor. It creates distance and direction needed to guide the state in the proper direction.
The plural executive is more single executive rather than democratic in my opinion because each one runs independently for their position and do not have to campaign to earn their positions.

The governor only appoints the Secretary of State and not the other chairmen, each have their own positions and directions. They do not have to answer to the governor at any point due to their independence and the restrictions that the Texas Constitution has on him. With that being said, they do not have to work together as they do in the United States President official offices. Now does that lead to more efficient and accountability for the plural executive, probably not so much. When a group of officials can not work together or choose not to work together, it creates static between the groups. Conflict arises amongst the attendees causing friction and deadlock decisions. Rather than the group as a whole being held accountable, fingers are pointed to the one who opposed ruling in the first place. When there are unresolved disputes, nothing progresses

efficiently.
The power of the governor should be increased. Giving the governor more power, gives him the leverage needed to better serve his states. By giving him the power he needs, he can distribute tasks needed to the one’s who are more knowledgeable in the field and could present a resolution. Delegating responsibilities and having the officials answer to him as a “boss”, maybe more could be accomplished, especially during the time frame they have to pass or veto bills.
Texas governors are restricted on their duties due to the rules and regulations set forth by the Texas Constitution. If only, those were lifted, the governor could do so much more as a leader. No one man can run a country, much less a state, without support from its officials in office. Building a strong support system from the outside, would help on the inside.