Is Governor of Texas ceremonial?

[ginscpy]

That's one of the things the libs bashed Bush over - that the gov ofTexas has no real power and its mostly ceremonial.

 

[CryingKoala]

Nah, just lazy.

 

[ginscpy]

I read the gov of Texas has less power than the govs of most other states.

Although the lowlifes on Texas death row might not think so.

 

[Leweman]

It probably is a more powerful of a position than Obama's governorship was. I would think.

 

[Dot Com]

The legislature had enough power to veto his mandatory inoculations Executive Order. He's backpedaled from that within hours of announcing too

Under Scrutiny, Perry Walks Back HPV Decision — Rick Perry | The Texas Tribune

A few hours after unveiling his campaign for president, Perry began walking back from one of the most controversial decisions of his more-than-10-year reign as Texas governor.

 

[ginscpy]

It probably is a more powerful of a position than Obama's governorship was. I would think.

Obama was a US Senator.

At least that's what I read.

 

[bodecea]

That's one of the things the libs bashed Bush over - that the gov ofTexas has no real power and its mostly ceremonial.

When did we say that?

 

[FuelRod]

Why do Liberals prefer their Chief Executive to be King is a better question?

 

[bodecea]

Why do Liberals prefer their Chief Executive to be King is a better question?

Why do I ONLY see Righties using terms like "King", "Messiah", "Annointed One" around here?

 

[CryingKoala]

Perry: The Radical Alternative to Bachmann : Lawyers, Guns & Money
Perry: The Radical Alternative to Bachmann
August 16, 2011 | Scott Lemieux

Now that he has made his intention to run official, Rick Perry should be considered one of the two frontrunners for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012. His selling points to the Republican base are clear: he has more obvious appeal to the conservative base than former pro-choicer and universal health care supporter Mitt Romney, while he will be seen as more mainstream and “electable” than Tea Party favorite Michelle Bachmann. Given the very real chance that Rick Perry will be the 45th president of the United States, however, it should be noted that there’s no reason (apart from sexism) to consider him any less nutty than Bachmann. All signs indicate that a Perry administration would be even worse than that of his fellow Texas governor George W. Bush, and he would be by far the most radical presidential candidate since Barry Goldwater.

As readers of this blog know, the most powerful symbol for Perry’s style of governance is Cameron Todd Willingham. Willingham was executed by the state of Texas on February 16, 2004 for allegedly killing his three children by burning down his family’s house. This execution was an appalling miscarriage of justice. The case against him was a complete shambles, with the evidence that the fire was deliberately set consisting of completely worthless junk science and the transparently implausible, uncorroborated, and later recanted testimony of a mentally ill jailhouse snitch. How could the execution of someone who shouldn’t even have been arrested been allowed to proceed? One reason was Governor Rick Perry, whose hand-picked Board of Pardons and Paroles upheld the death sentence while Perry failed to use his power to recommend commuting his sentence. And to dispel the possibility that Perry had made good faith (if tragic) mistake, Perry then fired several members of the state’s Forensic Science Commission to cover up the fact that Willingham’s conviction was based on junk science about as reliable as astrology.

Alas, Perry’s disgraceful behavior in abetting the execution of an almost certainly innocent man is no aberration. His governorship is a virtual parody of contemporary Republicanism, comforting the wealthy while throttling the relatively powerless. Despite an already low level of social services and a highly regressive tax code, with Perry’s support Texas has responded to the recession with savage spending cuts and no tax increases. Poor and lower-middle class Texans will be hit particularly hard by the draconian cuts to public schools and Medicaid. The educational cuts are particularly cruel and short-sighted, given that Texas “forty-fifth in SAT scores, third in teen pregnancies and dead last in the percentage of adults with high school diplomas.”

The case Perry will make to mainstream voters rests on Texas’s allegedly impressive economic growth under his governorship. But even leaving aside the huge number of Texas residents who have been left without access to decent schools or medical care, these claims are exaggerated. Massachusetts and New York have combined much stronger social services with faster economic growth and similar or lower unemployment than Perry’s Texas. And while Texas’ job creation rate under Perry looks superficially good, most of this growth has come from minimum wage and public sector jobs. A more careful look, in other words, should dispel the idea that Texas’s regressive taxes and frugal social services have unleashed a wave of entrepreneurship.

In addition, it must be noted that the Texas model would be particularly disastrous if implemented on a national level. Texas has managed to maintain decent economic growth throughout the recession because it is major oil-producing state during a time in which oil prices have soared. Alas, most states cannot rely on oil as a crutch. Republican bastions such as Alabama and Mississippi demonstrate what the policies Perry advocates produce in states not sitting on huge oil reserves – massive inequalities, high rates of poverty, and unacceptably bad social services without even decent economic growth.

Perry’s worldview has been bad for Texas and would be even worse if implemented on a nationwide basis. But his status as frontrunner tells us a great deal about the state of today’s Republican Party. Even by the standards of the increasingly extremist GOP, the Texas Republican Party is a model of wingnuttery, with a platform that (among many ludicrous elements) calls for Congress to prevent federal courts from applying the Bill of Rights, the abolition of the Department of Education, the abolition of the minimum wage, and to restrict citizenship to the children of U.S. Citizens in contradiction of the clear language of the 14th Amendment. In keeping with this kind of extremism, in a book released just last year Perry endorsed a wide variety of ultra-reactionary ideas, including the belief that most of the 20th century administrative state (including Medicare and Social Security) violate the federal constitution. He has also flirted with secessionism — admittedly, an option that may look more attractive should Perry stumble into the presidency. Unlike the Texas governor who was elected in 2000, Perry doesn’t even pretend to reasonableness or moderation.

Perry’s radicalism may alienate some swing voters, but there can be no doubt that he can win under the the wrong economic circumstances. If a stalled recovery leads to Rick Perry taking over the White House with a Republican Congress that reflects similar values, it may be decades before the United States can recover.
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[Lonestar_logic]

Similar to the president of the United States in function, the governor of Texas has a long list of duties and responsibilities to his constituents. To be eligible to hold the office, an individual must have been a resident of the state of Texas for at least five years prior to running and must be at least 30 years of age.

New Legislation
The governor is charged with reporting to the Legislature at the beginning of every regular session on the overall condition of the state. This report proves vital in the planning and legislative process in that it serves to provide direction for the state government to more effectively serve the people. Additionally, the governor holds the power of the veto and has the authority to enforce the veto on any bill passed which conflicts with other federal or state laws. Lastly, the governor has the authority to preside over special sessions of the Legislature. This is done very rarely so as to ensure the separation of the two branches.

Budgeting
In addition to presenting an annual report to Legislature on the overall condition of the state, the governor also prepares a financial report and submits a proposed two-year budget to the Legislature during each regular session. This allows for the state government to adapt to changing economic conditions which may have been unforeseen.

Pardons and Paroles
The governor has the final authority on all pardons and paroles for state offenses within Texas. This means that she has the final say on stays of execution as well as pardoning previously convicted criminals. This power does not apply to federal convictions or convictions from other states.

Appointments
A number of positions within the state government are held by appointees. These may include advisers, task force members and administrators. The governor is responsible for appointing state citizens to fill each of these positions. In addition, in the event that an elected official leaves office suddenly and unexpectedly, the governor has the authority to fill that position until another election can be held.

Commander in Chief
The governor serves as the commander in chief of the state armed forces. This includes all National Guard units as well as any voluntary state defense forces. The governor has the ability to utilize these forces for any state of emergency which may occur during his tenure. This can include natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism, and situations in which local authorities are unable to properly respond.

 

[FuelRod]

Why do Liberals prefer their Chief Executive to be King is a better question?

Why do I ONLY see Righties using terms like "King", "Messiah", "Annointed One" around here?

Liberals have a hard time with both vocabulary as well as honesty.

 

[MarcATL]

Why do Liberals prefer their Chief Executive to be King is a better question?

Why do I ONLY see Righties using terms like "King", "Messiah", "Annointed One" around here?

It's because they're OBSESSED...that's why.

 

[JWBooth]

That's one of the things the libs bashed Bush over - that the gov ofTexas has no real power and its mostly ceremonial.

Well. aside from calling the legislature in for special sessions and the veto power, he does get to fill vacancies on the boards of regents for the various state institutions of higher education. If a district judge, attorney, or county judge leaves office in the middle of a term he gets to appoint a replacement until the next election. Other than that, he is mostly an unnecessary figurehead. Any other power he has is unofficial, based on political connections and force of personality.