Chapter 8. Governors and Executives: There Is No Such Thing as Absolute Power

Study

Chapter Summary

Chapter 8 provides a detailed discussion of the role of governors in the legislative process and the variation in gubernatorial powers among states. Governors serve important political and legislative roles. Each acts as chief legislator, party chief, and chief spokesperson for his or her state. They must be able to interact with a variety of administrative agencies at multiple levels of government. Increasingly, they are forced to interact with the media and promote social and economic development within their states. This reflects the expansion of formal gubernatorial powers and responsibilities. Budgetary, appointment, and veto powers also represent formal mechanisms available them to manage particular legislative agendas.

Beyond formal powers, governors also rely on a distinct set of informal powers to pursue legislative goals. Such informal powers often determine whether a state will have a strong or weak governor. Governors must be able to effectively communicate with a wide variety of political actors. They must be able to build broad coalitions and wield party support. Ultimately, this determines the extent to which they are able to achieve their legislative goals. More and more, governors are using their positions as stepping-stones to higher office. For example, four of the last five presidents served as governor prior to taking the presidential oath of office. Thus, a state’s governor remains an important indicator of a state’s well-being, as well as for providing cues to the direction of national policy.

Objectives

After reading this chapter, you should understand…

• how the power of governors has changed over the last one hundred years
• the role of a governor as a state’s chief legislator
• how governors control state agencies
• the role of a governor as a state’s chief spokesperson
• the role of a governor as a state’s party chief
• how formal and informal powers differ
• the changing nature of gubernatorial campaigns
• the roles of other executive and statewide offices

Study Questions

1. In what ways has the power of governors increased over the last one hundred years? Use specific examples.
2. Discuss a governor's role as a state's chief legislator.
3. How do governors control state agencies?
4. Discuss a governor's role as state's chief spokesperson.
5. How do formal powers differ from informal powers? What are five formal powers generally granted to governors? What are examples of informal powers?
6. What is the nature of gubernatorial elections? Discuss their timing and the campaign process.
7. What are the roles of lieutenant governors and state attorneys general?