The Executive BranchSS8CG3 The students will analyze the role of the executive branch in Georgia state governmenta. Explain the qualifications, term, election and duties of the

governor and lieutenant governor.b. Describe the organization of the executive branch, with

emphasis on major policy areas of state programs.

>The Executive Branch of the federal and state government is run by the chief executive officer which is the President or the Governor.

Georgia’s Governor Governor: leader 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

Milledgeville, GA

Photo by Catherine Hackney

Governor

Election: • Elected by the citizens• Does not run on the same ticket or need to be in the same party as Lieutenant Governor.

depositing their ballots 4/30/38

Duties:Head of state/leader of Executive BranchCommander in chief of GA’s militaryCan veto legislation by the state legislatureSigns bills into lawCan use the floor leader of the House to suggest new legislation

Duties Continued:• 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 with

suggestions on how to spend state money

(above)Current Governor’s Mansion, Atlanta. (right) Entrance to theOld Executive Mansion in Milledgeville, GA.

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

Governor Sonny Perdue with Georgia’sNational Guard.

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• 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

Even though the Lt. Governor is part of the Executive Branch he is the presiding officer Of the Georgia Senate.

Lieutenant Governor Election: • Elected by the citizens of the

state• 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

• As the President of the Senate, decides committee memberships and committee chairs

Lieutenant Governor

Within the Executive Branch of Georgia there are officials other than the Governor and Lt. Governor: • 7 departments with elected Chairmen or

Commissioners most with 4 year terms• other departments with appointed officials (set up

by the state’s constitution)• more departments not spelled out in the

constitution that are run by appointed statutory officials

Executive Branch Officials

Organization of Executive Branch• Departments with Elected Commissioners:• Department of Law: State Attorney General

is the head of this dept., chief legal officer of the state

• Department of Agriculture: farming, matters relating to food/animals, Commissioner of Agriculture is chair

• Office of the Commissioner of Insurance: health, safety, and life insurance regulations,

Organizations with elected officials continued…

• Labor Department: services for jobs, taxes, wages, unemployment benefits, and job training, Commissioner of Labor is chair

• Department of State: maintains state records, supervises elections, regulates securities, stocks and bonds, Secretary of State is head of this dept.

• Department of Education: licenses teachers, approves textbooks, directs statewide education programs, administers funds, State School Superintendent

• Public Service Commissioners: regulates utility and transportation companies, (6 year term)

The elected Commissionersall serve a 4 year terms except for the 5 members of the Public ServiceCommission which these commissionersrotate 6 year terms.

Organizations 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

Election Memorabilia

Election Day,November 1, 1868

Title: HARDWICK, THOMAS WILLIAM, REP. FROM GEORGIA, 1902-1914; SENATOR, 1914-1919; GOVERNOR, 1921-1923. GROUP: HARDWICK, DR. M.L. BRITTAIN, GA. COMMR. ED.; N.A. HARRIS, GOVERNOR OF GEORGIA; SEN. HOKE SMITH

Review

• The executive branch operates at the federal and state level.

• Governor of Georgia election, duties, qualifications, and terms

• Georgia’s Lt. Governor duties, qualifications and terms

• Other departments of the executive branch