Discuss the informal and formal powers of the Texas Governor

The Texas governor has less formal powers than most other
governors.  A Texas governor must use the power of persuasion, personality and media in
order to effectively govern the state. A great guide to compare Texas against the powers
of the U.S. President and other governors can be found at href="http://www.laits.utexas.edu/txp_media/html/exec/features/0400_01.html">http://www.laits.utexas.edu/txp_media/html/exec/features/0400_01.html.

 In
Texas the powers of the executive office are spread throughout a series of elected
offices, commissions, and boards. The term is called the “plural executive” as several
elected officials share many of the powers typically invested in one office.  Voters
elect several key offices – including the Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and
Comptroller of Public Accounts. These officials may not have any loyalty to the governor
and may seek to undermine his term in office.  The Governor also has less influence in
the area of the state budget than other governors.  The law allows the Governor to
transferring money between programs or agencies to meet emergency needs, though such
transfers must be approved by the LBB. The Governor may use this power to draw attention
to the needs or issues that arise within the state and can put political opponents
within the LBB in a defensive status. 

There are
approximately 200 boards, commissions, and agencies that oversee the daily operation of
government, and the governor makes several hundred appointments to these various
entities. These appointments allow the Governor to place loyal people in critical state
government positions.  The Governor may use these positions as a way of rewarding his
supporters or by placing people in these positions to set or maintain a specific tone
for the office.  The Governor’s appointment power is limited by the two-thirds
approval/confirmation of the Senate. However, the Governor may appoint people without
confirmation during periods when the legislature is not in session and that person may
hold office until the legislature convenes.

A Texas
governor has constitutional requirement to address the public.  A Governor must deliver
a message to open the legislative session, must give biennial budget message, and a
retirement message at the end of the session. The Governor may also give “emergency”
messages as needed throughout his term.  This is a formal power that allows the Governor
to attempt to persuade and put forth his personal views and political agenda.  This
political power, if used strategically, may help offset the limited formal powers of the
office.