Texas Governor: An Evaluation of Powers
George W. Bush, the 46th governor of the State of Texas, once termed it "the best job in the world" despite the fact that, of the fifty governors in the United States, they hold the least constitutional powers. This limitation of powers came about due to perceived abuses of power by Governor E.J. Davis during Reconstruction, which necessitated the Texas constitution to support a weak governor with limited formal power. Compared to the Governor of New Jersey who wields immense powers, including the ability to appoint Supreme Court justices and fill cabinet positions, Texas governors are considered the weakest. In light of the numerous limitations this office has to contend with, it is surprising that those serving in the position of governor in Texas are considered some of the most skillful when it comes to promotion of policies and exercising of their political privileges. In fact, their efforts have had a major impact on the lives of Texans due to the various educational, developmental, and insurance related reforms that they have implemented. According to McCall, the fairness, loyalty, competence, and leadership are the fundamentals of governorship, which means that the success of Texas governors cannot be solely attributed to the powers of the office (3). In an attempt to dispute the allegations that Texas governors are weak, this text evaluates their powers and assesses their ability to lead. It also examines past administrations and takes a look at the strengths and weaknesses of the gubernatorial position.
The powers of the Texas governor
In agreement with McCall, Texas governors cannot be said to be too weak to lead because "the strengths of an individual governor's personality can overcome many of the limitations opposed by the office" (McCall, 3). Therefore, the effectiveness of the governors rests in their ability to utilize their persuasion skills, personalities, and influence to appeal to the emotions of Texans in a way that will enable them to promote and implement their policies. McCall asserts that in any form of relationship, the powerful party is the most flexible, hence…
Texas Constitution The fundamental law of the State of Texas is clearly stated out in the Constitution of the State of Texas. This document was officially adopted by the voters of the State in 1876 and has since them been amended in several occasions. In addition, under this constitution, the principles for the operation of state government and legal system have been outlined. The principle of separation of powers has given
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