Lecture notes for 4/30/99

Executive branch:  executes laws of the legislature
     -Because Texas has a fragmented executive, the governor himself is not the one
          that actually executes the laws.
     -Instead, the governor makes the decisions to get his other officials to carry out
          a policy, but the official has the choice of not carrying it out.

Limited governor's powers over the state bureaucracy
     -Appointment, removal, and directive powers
     -No true executive budget
     -The governor's office and staff do not work with, control, or become a part of
          the bureaucratic agencies.
     -Lieutenant governor actually has more power than the governor

Agencies with elected officials
     -Attorney general
          -Responsible for legislative activities, courts, crimes, etc.
          -Assists the governor, courts, etc., on what is constitutional and
               what is not
     -Comptroller of Public Accounts
          -Head of state agency which monitors state tax system
     -Treasurer
          -State's banker
     -Commissioner of the General Land Office
          -Like the Secretary of the Interior
          -Maintains state land, parks, and properties
          -Has mineral and oil rights
          -Responsible for environmental policies
     -Commissioner of Agriculture
          -Promotes industry throughout the state

Executive branch and legislature
     -Lieutenant governor
          -Executive duty
               -Vice president to governor
          -Legislative duties
               -Presides over Senate
               -Appointments for chairman positions
          -Elected independent from the governor