Georgia’s Executive Branch EQ: What is the role of the executive branch, and how does the executive branch work?

Who is in Georgia’s Executive Branch? Use your textbook p. 531 to find out the titles of the elected officials in Georgia’s executive branch Use your personal device or a computer to find out who our current elected officials are.

Governor ????? Qualifications Term 30 years old U.S. citizen for at least 15 years Georgia resident for at least 6 years Term 4 years Limited to 2 consecutive terms (8 years) HOWEVER, after 4 years out of office, the former governor can run again!

Formal Powers (The governor has executive, legislative, and judicial powers. See if you can determine the power of each of the following.) Appoint state officials (greatest influence) Manage the state budget Direct the attorney general to represent the state on lower cases Give the “state of the state” address Prepare budget bills Commander-in-chief of the Georgia National Guard Head civil defense units Send out the Georgia Highway Patrol and Georgia Bureau of Investigation into communities in times of danger Sign or veto bills Call special sessions of the General Assembly Pardon criminals Appoint state justices to fill unexpired terms

Informal Powers Appoint individuals to boards and offices Appoint officials to fill unexpired terms Write legislation Communicate personal opinions Issue proclamations Meet with other state officials, federal officers and foreign dignitaries Meet with business leaders from other state or nations to try to get them to set up business in Georgia Work with the legislature Guide state agencies

Why is the power to make appointments to boards and executive offices important to the governor of Georgia? Why do you think the executive branch is the largest?

Lieutenant Governor ???? Qualifications (same as governor) Term 30 years old U.S. citizen for at least 15 years Georgia resident for at least 6 years Term 4 years (no term limit)

Responsibilities Becomes governor in the event of the governor’s death, resignation, or impeachment Serves as chief executive when the governor is out of the state Presides over the state senate (greatest influence) Makes committee assignments Assigns bills to committees Calls on members of the senate who wish to speak

??? How does the lieutenant governor influence the passage or failure or legislation in the Senate?

State Attorney General ?????? Term 4 year unlimited Responsibilities Chief legal officer and head of the Department of Law Provides legal advice

Commissioner of Agriculture ??????? Term 4 year unlimited Responsibilities Head of the Agriculture department Directs agribusiness programs Maintains the state farmers’ markets Supervises inspections Expands market opportunities for Georgia agriculture

Commissioner of Labor ????? Term Responsibilities 4 year unlimited Head of labor department Regulates the health and safety of workers Enforces labor laws Administers unemployment insurance programs Keeps statistics on labor

Commissioner of Insurance ????? Term 4 year unlimited Responsibilities Regulates insurance carriers Issues insurance licenses

Public Service Commissioners 5 commissioners who are elected at different times (we are in district 2 – ??????) Term 6 year unlimited Responsibilities Regulate utilities Control the rates and services of transportation companies, telephone companies, and electric companies

Secretary of State ?????? Term Responsibilities 4 year unlimited Maintains official records Publishes laws passed by the legislature Supervises elections Appoints examining boards Grants corporate charters Regulates securities, stocks, and bonds

State School Superintendent ??????? Term 4 year unlimited Responsibilities Head of the Department of Education Directs statewide educational programs Enforces regulations and laws Administers state and federal education funds Certifies and licenses teachers Approves textbooks

Major Policy Areas Georgia’s budget allows for spending in seven key areas: education, health care, public safety, transportation, natural resources, economic development and general government. Various agencies in the executive branch are responsible for operating these policy areas. The governor and the House of Representatives work together to create spending bills for consideration in the House and the Senate. Where does the money come from to keep our state running smoothly? Mostly from income tax, sales tax and user fees.