Executive Branch of Georgia’s Government SS8CG3

Let’s Review… There are three main powers of government… Legislative – Making the Laws Executive – Enforcing or Carrying out the Laws Judicial – Interpreting the law and judging criminals according to it. Today we will focus on the executive branch

Georgia’s Executive Branch Georgia’s executive branch is headed up by the Governor. His “second-in-command” is called the Lieutenant Governor. This is very similar to the roles of the President and Vice-President at the national level SS8CG3a

Executive Branch Elections The Governor serves a four-year term. Maximum of TWO terms This keeps governors from serving too long/keeping power for too long The Lt. Governor serves a four-year term UNLIMITED amount of terms. SS8CG3a

How to Become Governor OR Lt. Governor Qualifications 30 years old U.S. citizen for 15 years GA citizen for 6 years U.S. citizen for 15 years Term of Office 4 years May run for and serve a second term Unlimited terms Election Elected by the citizens Runs separately with Lt. Gov. Can be from different political party Runs separately with Gov.

What does the Governor have the power to do? Leader of the executive branch Commander-in-Chief of Georgia’s military forces. Signs bills into laws Can veto legislation from the General Assembly Appoints people to lead executive departments Writes the first draft of the state budget. Has to make a “State of the State” speech every year. Speaks before both houses of the General Assembly Can “pardon” criminals.

Duties of the Governor: Where do these powers come from? Formal Powers—these are powers given to the Governor according to the state constitution Executive (appoint state officials and enforce laws, commander-in-chief, State of State speech) Legislative (sign or veto bills, recommend bills and budgets, calls special session of Assembly) Judicial (pardon offenders, appoint fill-in judges) Informal Powers—these are powers that the Governor has just by the nature of his job Communicate with public Represent state in meetings/events with other states or the federal govt.

What does the Lt. Governor have the power to do? Formal Powers—these are powers given to the Lieutenant Governor according to the state constitution Executive (serves as governor if current governor dies or becomes too sick to perform his duties) Legislative (presides over the Georgia Senate as the President of the Senate) Decides on committee memberships Chooses committee chairpersons

How does the office of the Governor compare to the office of the President? Similarities Appoints government/state officials Elected to four year term (no more than two consecutive) Commander-in-chief Calls extra legislative sessions Recommends bills and budget Vetoes or sign bills into law Pardons offenders “State of Union/State” Address Honorary head of political party

Other (Elected) Members of the Executive Branch The Governor and Lt. Governor aren’t the only members of the executive branch at the state level The executive branch includes many executive departments such as the Departments of Agriculture, Education, and Labor which all help to run the state Elected positions to these Departments include: State Attorney General Commissioner of Agriculture Commissioner of Labor Commissioner of Insurance Public Service Commissioner Secretary of State State School Superintendent

What do these elected officials do? State Attorney General – This person is the Chief Lawyer for the state. Commissioner of Agriculture – This person is Head of the Agriculture department. He/she helps maintain farmer’s markets, attract Farming-Related businesses to the state and inspects farms and farming related products. Commissioner of Labor – This person is head of the Labor department. They regulate the health and safety of workers and enforce state labor laws. Commissioner of Insurance – This person regulates the insurance companies and says which ones can operate in Georgia.

Public Service Commissioners – These are people who regulate utilities in Georgia, such as phone, cable, electricity and water. Secretary of State – This person’s department maintains official records, supervises elections, appoints examining boards, grants corporate charters, and regulates stocks and bonds in Georgia. State School Superintendent - this is the head of the schools for our state.

Other (Appointed) Members of the Executive Branch The executive branch also includes departments that have officials who have been appointed by the Governor: Department of Human Resources Department of Natural Resources Department of Juvenile Justice Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Department of Corrections Board of Regents—which helps to run colleges including UGA Board of Public Safety