Comparing the Governor to the President

Question 1

What type of executive is the governor?

Answer 1

• Plural executive

- One among equals

Question 2

What are the formal powers of the governor?

Answer 2

• Signs or veto’s legislation
• State of the state address to purpose budget
• Have a veto tool known as a line item veto
• Can call special elections
• Can call state legislation into a special session to pass laws the governor views as urgent
• Appointment powers
• Postpone punishments

Question 3

What is a line item veto?

Answer 3

-Can strike out parts of a budget bill they choose.

Question 4

What are informal powers of the governor?

Answer 4

• Ability to persuade
• Power of “going public”
• State coordinator of the President

Question 5

What are some similarities between the governor and the president?

Answer 5

• limited to 2 4year terms
• Forced to use power of persuasion to get the public and media to pressure congress
• Share power with other levels of federal government

Question 6

What are differences between the president and the governor?

Answer 6

• Presidents have foreign policy
• Governors are part of a plural executive
• Governor is weakened by direct democracy, and the president cannot be recalled