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

2. 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.

3. 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!

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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?

7. 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)

8. 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

9. ???
How does the lieutenant governor influence the passage or failure or legislation in the Senate?

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

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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.