Governors possess both formal and informal powers that allow them to influence policy and politics. Some of their most significant formal powers include appointment powers to politicize the bureaucracy, budgetary authority to influence programs, and veto power. Informal powers involve using the bully pulpit to shape public opinion and persuade the legislature. Governors aim to strengthen their party by supporting other members and aligning their agenda with party goals. Their influence depends on maintaining popularity and a strong relationship with their state legislative majority.

1. PO 202
Sprng 2017

4. What qualities should the
ideal politician possess?

7.  Governor expected to initiate legislation
 How can governors work to set agenda?
 1) Special Sessions
▪ Governor calls legislature back into session
 2) Media Attention
▪ Press conferences and other public events
▪ Catalyst for public support
 3) State of the State Address
▪ Report to legislature on state condition
▪ Tout policy agenda while reaching public / media

9.  Constitutions and “Take Care” Clause
 Difficult role offering few political rewards
 How can governors politicize bureaucracy?

10.  #1: Appointment Power
 Most powerful politicization tool
 How do governors employ this power?
▪ Loyalty vs. Competence
▪ Benefits to Naming Loyalists; Challenges to Competence
 #2: Budgetary Authority
 Governor submits state budget to legislature
 Can raise, lower funding for programs / initiatives
 Consequences: Legislative Oversight and
Bureaucratic Resistance

11.  #3: Reorganization
 What can governors do?
▪ #1: Replacement: Replace bureaucratic appointees
with those more suited to governor’s liking
▪ #2: Layering: Add political appointees above career
personnel to centralize control
▪ #3: Informal Methods: Leave post open and never fill
it; Recess appointments

13.  Symbolic and
ceremonial role
 Ribbon cuttings,
school openings,
state celebrations, etc.
 Governors like b/c
non-controversial
and gain attention
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner shaking
hands with Abraham Lincoln on the
opening day of the Illinois State Fair.

15.  Governor candidates run under party labels
 How can governors strengthen party value?
 Constituency Services
 Aligning Agenda with Party Goals
 Campaigning with Party Members
 Majority party status helps governors get their
policy goals accomplished

18.  Represent state interests inWashington, D.C.
 NGA and regional organizations help
governors identify common policy issues

21.  During natural disasters and other crises,
governor may declare state of emergency.
 Powers include calling stateGuard into
service and directing evacuations as needed
New Jersey Governor
Chris Christie exemplified
this role in the wake
of Superstorm Sandy.

23. Formal Powers Informal Powers Unilateral Powers Partisan Powers

25.  Joseph Schlesinger (1965)
 Index of gubernatorial power
 Schlesinger’s Four Criteria:
 (1) Appointment Power
 (2) Budgetary Power
 (3)Tenure Potential
 (4)Veto Power

27. APPOINTMENT POWER
 Governor may insert
ideology into state politics
 Reward for campaign work
or used in exchange for
legislative support
BUDGETARY POWER
 Set spending discussion
 Governor’s policies
enforced through veto and
administering budget
through state agencies

31.  Single most important gubernatorial power
 Veto override by legislature is rare
 MainVetoTypes:
 PackageVeto: Accept or reject legislation
 Line-Item Veto:Veto particular proposals
 AmendatoryVeto: Amend legislative bills
 PocketVeto: Bills die at end of legislative session

33.  Called “the power to persuade”
 #1: Personal and Professional Characteristics
 Knowledge vs. Schmoozing
 #2: Skill and Experience
 Training for Governor’s Office is state office
▪ State Legislator; Lieutenant Governor

34.  #3: Popularity
 Varies over time: “Honeymoon” to “Lame Duck”
 #4: Popular Mandate
 Only valid immediately after an election
 Use this to convince legislature to support ideas

35.  #5: The Media
 Governors use technology to “go public”
 Reinforces idea that governor is strong leader
 Influences public debate and molds public opinion
 Known as “Bully Pulpit” at national level
 How doesThad Beyle analyze governors?
 See Handout for Indicators

37.  1) Executive Orders
 Shape bureaucracy and other actors
 Interpretation of law
 2) States of Emergency
▪ Temporary grant of wider set of powers due to
extraordinary circumstances (e.g. emergencies)
▪ Seen with Crisis Manager Role

38.  1) Periodic Elections
 Necessity of popular support to stay in office
 2) Constitutional Limitations
 Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances
 Term Limits for ExecutiveTenure

40.  Support political party/same-party legislators
 Power balance with legislature depends on:
 Individual: Controlling fortunes of members
 Institutional: Having strong majority in chamber