Executive Branch

Georgia’s Governor Governor: leaders of the state’s executive branch Qualifications: 30 years old or more U.S. citizen for at least 15 years GA resident for at least 6 years Terms of Office: 4 years May run for a second term

Governor Election: Duties: Elected by the citizens Does not run on the same ticket or need to be in the same party as lieutenant governor. Duties: Head of state/leader of exec. Branch Commander in chief of GA’s military Can veto legislation by the state legislature Signs bills into law Can use the floor leader of the House to suggest legislation

Governor Duties (cont.): Appoints people to lead many executive offices Addresses the GA legislature in a State of the State speech Director of the state budget, reports to the GA legislature w/suggestions on how to spend state money

Formal powers of the Governor Managing the states budget (receiving/spending money) Directing the attorney general to act as a representative in lower court cases involving state law “State of the State” address Preparing budget bills for the House of Representatives Commander in Chief for GA National Guard Heads GA’s defense units Sending GA Highway patrol and GBI into communities in times of danger

Informal powers of the Governor Communicating to the public a personal position on issues of interest to all Georgians Acting as honorary head of the political party Issuing proclamations to honor individuals, holidays, or special events Representing the state in meetings with state officials Meet with business leaders to expand their business in GA Working with legislators to get laws passed Guiding state agencies

Lieutenant Governor Qualifications: same as Governor Term of Office: 30 years old or more U.S. citizen for at least 15 years GA resident for at least 6 years Term of Office: 4 years No limit on the number of terms

Lieutenant Governor Election: Duties: Elected by the citizens Does not run on the same ticket or need to be in the same party as the governor Duties: Serves as governor if current governor dies or gets too sick to work President of the Senate, decides committee memberships and committee chairs

Organization of Executive Branch Departments with Elected Commissioners: Department of Agriculture: farming, matters relating to food/animals Office of the Commissioner of Insurance: health, safety, and life insurance Department of Labor: services for jobs, taxes, wages, unemployment benefits, and job training

Organization of Executive Branch Departments with Appointed Commissioners: Department of Corrections: prisons Department of Defense: state National Guard Department of Education: oversees GA’s public school system/funding/programs Department of Natural Resources: protects GA’s beaches, mountains, forests, and other natural resources Department of Transportation: repair for roads, bridges; traffic/transportation information