The governor

The governor is the head of a state's executive branch. As chief executive, he or she has the most authority of any government leader in the state. In fact, the duties that go along with this office make the governor the state's most visible political leader.

QUALIFICATIONS. All state consti­tutions set qualifications for governor. A governor must be at least a certain age. In most states, this age is between 25 and 30 years old. A governor must be an American citizen. He or she must have lived in the state for a certain length of time.

ELECTION AND TERMS. All gov­ernors are elected by the people of the state. In almost all the states, the candidate with a plurality of votes, or the most votes, wins election. In four states, however, the candidate must receive a majority vote. If no candidate wins a majority in Georgia or Louisiana, a runoff election is held between the top two candidates. If no candidate wins a majority in Mississippi or Vermont, each state's legislature chooses the winner.

The length and number of terms in office a governor may serve also vary among the states. All but four states set a governor's term at four years. Governors in Arkansas, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont serve two-year terms. Almost one half of the states limit the number of terms a governor may serve. In most, governors may serve any number of terms, but no more than two terms in a row. In four states, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Virginia, governors may serve only one term in office.

ROLES. What exactly does it mean to be a state's chief executive? A state governor has many roles.

Perhaps the most important role of a governor is that of chief administrator. As such, the governor is the head of state, responsible for carrying out the work of state government. If a state program is successful, the governor is likely to receive some of the credit. If there is a problem, the governor is likely to receive some of the blame.

A second role of a governor is that of state symbol. Just as a mayor represents a city, a governor represents a state. The governor, for example, often is called upon to appear at public functions and ceremonies. The gover­nor might be present at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new highway. He or she might meet with important visitors to the state. The governor also might travel to other states and even to other countries to attract new business to the state.

A governor fills a third role as a policy leader. As such, the governor identifies problems and sets forth policy goals for the state. People often look for this kind of leadership from governors - especially after hearing them campaign for office. Most governors run for office with plans for state improvements. A candidate may call for better schools, lower taxes, and an improved highway system, for example. Once in office, it is the governor's job to help turn these goals into public policy.

The governor fills one other important role - that of political party leader. In this role, the governor helps lead party activities and support party goals. The governor also works to help other party members running for govern­ment office.

POWERS

To carry out their responsibilities, state governors are given several powers. The most important of these, of course, are executive powers.

EXECUTIVE POWERS. Most state constitutions give the governor "the supreme executive power." This means that the gover­nor is given the power to act as the state's chief executive.

One important executive power has to do with the state budget. As on other levels of government, budget decisions can affect every part of state government. For this reason, one of the most important duties of state governors is to prepare the budget and present it to the state legislature for approval.

Also important is the governor's power to hire and fire certain state officials. By choosing those leaders who will carry out the business of state government, the governor can better direct the work of the state.

Another executive power given to gover­nors is a military power. All state constitutions say that the governor is commander in chief of the state militia. The state militia is commonly known as the National Guard. One important duty of the National Guard is to help people in times of natural disaster, such as floods or tornadoes. The governor also can call on the National Guard to help control disturbances.

LEGISLATIVE POWERS. Al­though they are the head of their state's executive branch, governors also play an important part in state lawmaking.

One way governors influence lawmaking is by making their ideas for laws known. Each year, governors make a State of the State Address to the legislature. In this message, governors often support certain policies or suggest new legislation. Throughout the year, governors continue to work with state legisla­tors on important state matters. Keep in mind, too, that should an emergency come up when the legislature is not in session, the governor has the power to call a special session to deal with the problem.

Most governors have one other, very important legislative power. In every state but North Carolina, the governor may veto, or reject, a bill passed by the legislature.

JUDICIAL POWERS. Governors also have several judicial powers. In many states, governors appoint certain state judges.

Another judicial power of most governors is the power to grant pardons. A pardon is an act that frees a person from responsibility and punishment for a crime. Most state governors also have the power to grant reprieves. A reprieve is an act that postpones a criminal's sentence for a certain amount of time. This might be done, for example, if new evidence is being studied in a case to determine whether there should be a new trial.

Some governors also have the power to commute the sentences of people found guilty of crimes. This means that the governor can change a prisoner's sentence to one that is less severe. Many governors also can grant parole. This means that the governor can order that a person be released from prison before the end of his or her sentence.

Keep in mind, however, that no governor makes such decisions alone. Instead, these powers usually are shared with various state agencies and boards.