Ch 4. The executive department and the office of the governer of TX

Question 1

Acting governers

Answer 1

when a governer leaves a state, the position is held by the lieutenant governer, who performs the functions of the office

Question 2

attorney general

Answer 2

chief counsel to the governer and state agencies; limited criminal jurisdiction

Question 3

boards and commissions

Answer 3

• governing body for many state agencies; members appointed by the governor for fixed term
• The administrative units carry out most of the work of state government

Question 4

Budgetary Powers

Answer 4

The ability of a governor to formulate a budget, present it to the legislature, and execute or control the budget

Question 5

ceremonial duties

Answer 5

the expectation that a governor attends many functions and represents the state; some governors become so active at this role that they get caught in a ceremonial trap and neglect other duties

Question 6

chief legislator

Answer 6

the expectation that a governor has an active agenda of legislation to recommend to the legislature and works to pass that agenda

Question 7

controller of public accounts

Answer 7

the chief tax collector and investor of state funds; does not perform financial audits

Question 8

Convicton

Answer 8

following adoption of articles of impeachment by the lower legislative house, the Senate tries the official under those articles; if convicted, the official is removed from office.

Question 9

crisis manager

Answer 9

the expectation that a governor will provide strong leadership in times of a natural or human made disaster

Question 10

Impeachment

Answer 10

The process by which some elected officials, including governors, may be impeached (accused of impeachable offense) by the lower house adopting articles of impeachment )

Question 11

informal qualifications

Answer 11

additional qualifications beyond the formal qualifications required for men and women to be elected governor, holding statewide elected office is an example

Question 12

intergovernmental coordinator

Answer 12

the expectation that a governor works smoothly with other state governments

Question 13

judicial powers

Answer 13

the ability of a governor to issue pardons, executive clemency, and parole of citizens convicted of a crime

Question 14

land commissioner

Answer 14

elected official responsible for administration and oversight of state-owned lands and coastal lands

Question 15

Legislative budget board (LBB)

Answer 15

state agency that is controlled by the leadership in the state legislature and what writes the state budget

Question 16

legislative power

Answer 16

The formal power, especially the veto authority, of the governor to force the legislature to enact his or her legislation

Question 17

line-item veto

Answer 17

the ability of a governor to veto part of an appropriations bill without vetoing the whole bill

Question 18

military powers

Answer 18

The military powers of the governor are quite limited and come into play only in times of a natural disatser or civil unrest.

Question 19

Partial veto

Answer 19

the ability of some governors to veto part of a nonappropiations bill without vetoing the entire bill; a TX governor does not have this power except on appropriations bills

Question 20

Party chief

Answer 20

The expectation that the governor will be head of his or her party. The governor leads the party and aids its development and growth. This role is important in promoting the party’s position on political issues and shaping its policy initiatives

Question 21

Plural Executive System

Answer 21

System in which executive power is divided among several statewide elected officials

Question 22

Recall

Answer 22

Texas does not allow recall of the governor, which is the removal of the governor or an elected official by a petition signed by the required number of registered voters and by an election in which a majority votes to remove the person from office

Question 23

Secretary of state

Answer 23

chief election official and leeper of state records; appointed by the governor

Question 24

senatorial courtesy

Answer 24

the favor of the governor clearing his or her appointments with the state senator from the appointees home district

Question 24

Tenure of office

Answer 24

the ability of governors to be reelected to office and the term length

Question 25

Sunset advisory commission

Answer 25

Agency responsible for making recommendations to the legislature for change in the structure and organization of most state agencies

Question 26

Texas railroad commission

Answer 26

1891 state agency with regulation over some aspects of transportation and the oil and gas industry of the state