1. Learning Target Today we are learning about the executive branch of Georgia’s government because it is important for us to understand how government functions so that we can participate in our government.

2. Foundations of Government in Georgia S8CG3: The student will analyze the role of the executive branch in Georgia state government.

3. Executive Branch The Governor The largest branch of state government is the executive branch. Its responsibility is to ensure that the state’s laws are carried out or enforced. The governor is the chief executive office of the state. The current governor, Nathan Deal, was elected by the people and will serve a 4 year term. If the governor is re-elected for another four years, he/she will have met the term limit of 2 consecutive four year terms. The governor can run again in the future, after 4 or more years. According to the state constitution, to become governor a person must be at least 30 years of age, a citizen of the United States for at least 15 years, and a resident of Georgia for at least 6 years.

4. Formal Powers Executive: being able to appoint state officials, and making sure that criminal and civil laws are enforced. Legislative: sending requests and messages to the legislature, signing bills into law, being able to veto a law so it won’t become a law. May also call special sessions of the legislature. Judicial: being able to pardon persons convicted of crimes, and appoint state justices to fill positions. Managing the state’s budget. Directing the attorney general to act as a representative of the state in lower courts. Making the annual “state of the state” address. Preparing the budget bills for consideration. Serving as commander in chief of the National Guard. Heading the state’s civil defense units Sending Georgia Highway Patrol and Georgia Bureau of Investigation into communities when needed.

5. Informal Powers Many powers are a result of tradition and customs, others are used to enforce some formal powers. The Governor’s greatest influence is through his or her power to appoint individuals to important positions. The informal powers include these seven: –communicating to the public a personal position on issues of interest to all Georgians –acting as honorary head of the political party that elected him/her to office –issuing proclamations to honor individuals, holidays, or special events and, with the legislature’s approval, adding new state symbols –representing the stat in official state meetings –meeting with industry leaders to encourage business expansion in GA –working with the Legislature to pass bills –guiding state agencies.

6. Time to dump your brain Take two minutes to write down everything you can remember about the Executive branch. Discuss: duties, qualifications, term, formal power and informal powers.

7. Lieutenant Governor Has the same qualifications as Governor; term length is 4 years, has to be 30 years old to run for office, a resident in Georgia for 6 years, and a U. S. citizen for 15 years. The Lieutenant Governor position is different from the Governor position when it comes to term limitations. The Lieutenant Governor has to run for re-election every four years but has no term limit. Main functions are to serve as presiding officer of the state senate, assigns senate bills to committees, and recognizes members of the senate that wish to speak. Because of these powers, the lieutenant governor may affect the passage or failure of some senate bills. In the event of the governor’s death, lieutenant governor becomes the state’s chief executive; also serves as the chief executive when the governor is out of state. The speaker of the house of representatives would serve as chief executive in the event that something happened to the governor and lieutenant governor.

8. Organization of the Executive Branch Important elected officials serving (4 year terms) in the executive branch: All of these officials serve a four year term except the Public Service Commission, which serves a six year term.

9. Attorney General Sam Olenes Attorney General: chief legal officer for the state and the head of the Department of Law.

10. Commissioner of Agriculture Gary W. Black Commissioner of Agriculture: head of the Agriculture Dept. Directs agribusiness programs, maintains state farmers’ markets, supervises inspections, expands market opportunities in agriculture

11. Commissioner of Labor Mark Butler Commissioner of Labor: heads the Dept. of Labor. Regulates health and safety of workers, enforces state labor laws, administers unemployment insurance programs, maintains data on labor.

12. Commissioner of Insurance Ralph T Hudgens Commissioner of Insurance: regulates insurance carries and issues insurance licenses.

13. Secretary of State Brian P Kemp Secretary of State: maintains state’s official records, publishes laws passed by the legislature, supervises elections, appoints examining boards, grants corporate charters, and regulates securities, stocks and bonds

14. State School Superintendent Dr. John D. Barge State Superintendent of Schools: head of the Department of Education. Directs statewide educational programs, enforces state education regulations and laws, administers state and federal education funds, certifies and licenses teachers and other educators, and approves textbooks for use in Georgia Schools.

15. State Agencies There are government officials that are not elected. These jobs are necessary by law, so these officials are appointed by the governor or by the head of the department. There are over 30 major agencies in our government. The Board of Natural Resources/Department of Natural Resources: taking care of Georgia’s rivers, lakes, parks, preserves, historical sites, and monitoring hunting, fishing, and boating laws. Also known as DNR. Department of Transportation (GA-DOT): plays a role in airports, railways, highways, and ports; responsible for planning, constructing, and maintaining Georgia’s highways and roads. HERO- Highway Emergency Response Operators, successful DOT program, that respond to stranded motorists. Department of Economic Development: responsible for bringing economic development to the state, including movies, concerts, digital entertainment, and the arts. Department of Public Safety: protecting citizens and their property, including Georgia Highway Patrol, the Capitol Police, and the Motor Carrier Compliance Division. Department of Education (DOE): oversees all aspects of public education, primary purpose to make sure that “education related laws are obeyed and the state and federal funds are properly allocated”. The DOE is made up of five offices; Curriculum and Instruction, Finance and Business Operations, Instructional Technology and Media, Policy and External Affairs, and Teacher and Student Support.

16. Time to dump your brain again! On a that same sheet of paper, take two minutes to dump your brain! Discuss: duties, term, and qualifications of the Lieutenant Governor, Organization of the Executive Branch, and State agencies.

17. 3-2-1 List three qualifications to be governor of Georgia List two formal powers of the governor List one function of the Lieutenant Governor