Omar Bennett
The Texas bureaucracy is a complex system of governance with a plural executive model, meaning the power of the Governor is distributed among various government officials. This includes the Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller of Public Accounts, Commissioner for the General Land Office, and more. Additionally, there are numerous boards and commissions, some created by the constitution and others by the legislature, with a mix of elected and appointed members. The exact number of separate entities is challenging to pinpoint due to the dynamic nature of governance and the potential for changes over time. However, sources indicate the presence of a substantial number of entities, such as the Texas Railroad Commission, the State Board of Education, and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Management strategy | Representative bureaucracy and personnel stability |
| Governor | Limited power distributed among other government officials |
| Lt. Governor | Presiding officer of the Texas Senate, first in line of succession for Governor, member of the Legislative Redistricting Board, Chair of the Legislative Budget Board |
| Attorney General | Lawyer for the state of Texas, represents the state on civil matters, interprets constitutionality of laws |
| Elected Executives | Texas Railroad Commission, State Board of Education, Adjutant General, Insurance Commissioner, Commissioner of the General Land Office, Agriculture Commissioner |
| Appointed Executives | Secretary of State, Adjutant General, Insurance Commissioner |
| Number of boards and commissions | Nearly 300 |
| TxDOT | Governed by the Texas Transportation Commission and an executive director selected by the commission |
| Texas Health and Human Services | Includes the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and the Texas Department of State Health Services |
| First regulatory agency of Texas | Three independently elected members with overlapping six-year terms |
| State Board of Education | 15 members, 4-year terms, selected from single-member districts |
| Appointed regulatory commission | Three members, six-year terms, oversee electric and telecommunication industries in Texas |
| Texas Constitution Article 4 | Executive Department |
| Texas Agencies & Organizations | Texas State Government |
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What You'll Learn
The Governor's influence
The Governor of Texas is often referred to as the ""chief executive", a role that entails overseeing the state's bureaucracy and executing and administering government policy. The governor's role includes powers of appointment and removal, budgeting, planning, supervision, and clemency. While the governor's role as chief executive is time-consuming, it has traditionally been considered one of the weakest.
The governor's appointment powers are a crucial part of their executive powers. They can appoint agency heads, board or commission members overseeing agencies, and board chairs. This power can significantly impact an agency's success or failure. For example, a governor with strong legislative skills can influence neutral legislators to view an agency favourably, potentially helping the agency secure budget increases or new programs.
However, Texas has a long ballot, as many state officials, including those in the executive branch, are elected by the people rather than appointed by the governor. The lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller of public accounts, commissioner of the General Land Office, and agriculture commissioner are among those elected statewide. The governor's ability to remove appointees is also limited; they can remove their own appointees with the Senate's consent, but they cannot remove members of boards and commissions appointed by their predecessor or independently elected state executives.
Historically, the Texas governor's role has been viewed as weak, particularly in comparison to the federal model. The current Texas Constitution, adopted in 1876, was designed to spread power among many independently elected officials, limiting the governor's authority. This perception of a weak governorship has been challenged during the 21st century by governors like Perry, who, through multiple re-elections, gained significant influence over state officer appointments. Governor Greg Abbott has also been noted for exerting new powers over regulatory agencies' rulemaking processes, which some consider unconstitutional.
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Boards and commissions
The Texas State Directory offers an extensive list of agencies, boards, and commissions, including those related to legislative, judicial, and administrative functions. The directory serves as a trusted resource for anyone seeking information on Texas's government structure and operations.
The Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office (EDT) also maintains a close association with several boards, advisory committees, councils, and task forces. These entities advise the Governor, the Legislature, and the EDT office on matters that could impact the state's economic health. The Governor has the authority to appoint members to these boards and committees, either partially or wholly.
Overall, boards and commissions in Texas serve as a vital link between the government and its citizens, facilitating a more inclusive and representative decision-making process.
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The Attorney General
The Office of the Attorney General has a Law Enforcement Division that conducts criminal investigations and apprehensions, including cases involving cyber-crimes, identity theft, election fraud, and locating convicted sex offenders who have failed to register. The Child Support Division is responsible for the establishment and enforcement of child support. The Attorney General also has the power to act in criminal cases at the request of prosecutors.
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The State Board of Education
The Texas bureaucracy is managed through departments staffed by non-elected officials. It represents the government to the people and costs the state almost $15 billion per year, which is around 18% of state spending.
One of the key responsibilities of the State Board of Education is to review and approve textbooks for use in public schools. The Board ensures that the textbooks cover the required curriculum and adhere to the state's educational guidelines. This process can be lengthy and involves input from educators and the public.
Additionally, the Board is tasked with managing the state's permanent school fund. This fund was established to provide a consistent source of funding for public education. The Board invests the funds to generate revenue, which is then distributed to school districts across the state to support their educational programs.
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Appointed Executives
The Texas bureaucracy is a complex system of governance with various elected and appointed officials. While the exact number of separate entities is unclear, the bureaucracy includes the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, as well as various departments and committees.
Among the appointed executives in Texas are:
Secretary of State
The Secretary of State, such as Carlos Casos, is the official "keeper of the seal of Texas". They administer election laws, certify election results, and serve as a repository for all official business and commercial records.
Adjutant General
The Adjutant General, such as Major General John Nichols, is the Head of the Military in the state of Texas. They oversee the Texas Military Department, which includes the Texas Army National Guard, Texas Air National Guard, and Texas State Guard.
Insurance Commissioner
The Insurance Commissioner, such as David Maddox, has a two-year term and is responsible for regulating insurance committees in Texas. They ensure that insurance companies operating in the state comply with laws and regulations to protect consumers.
Aerospace and Aviation Advisory Committee
This committee advises the governor on matters related to aerospace and aviation. They provide expertise and recommendations on policy development and coordinate with relevant state agencies to promote the aerospace industry in Texas.
Broadband Development Council
The Broadband Development Council works to expand access to high-speed internet across Texas. They develop strategies, policies, and initiatives to ensure that all Texans have reliable and affordable broadband connectivity.
These appointed executives play crucial roles in governing Texas, contributing their expertise and ensuring the smooth functioning of various aspects of the state's administration. They work alongside elected officials and other entities within the Texas bureaucracy to serve the people of the state.
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Frequently asked questions
There are almost 300 boards and commissions that make up the Texas bureaucracy.
The Texas Plural Executive refers to the fact that Texas operates with a "plural executive" system, meaning the power of the Governor is limited and distributed among other government officials.
There is no single government official who is solely responsible for the Texas Executive Branch. The Governor is the head of the Executive Branch, but their power is limited.
Some examples include the Texas Railroad Commission, the State Board of Education, the Secretary of State, the Adjutant General, and the Insurance Commissioner.
Members of the Texas bureaucracy are either elected or appointed. Elected officials are chosen by the people, while appointed officials are selected by the Governor or other government officials.
