Learning Objectives

In general, after you finish reading and studying this chapter, you should understand the following:

• how the Texas governorship and division of executive authority developed
• the constitutional roles of the governor, particularly those of chief of state, chief executive, and commander in chief
• the development of gubernatorial power, the powers of the Texas governor in political roles, and the Texas governor's powers compared to the powers of other states' governors
• the role of governor of policy maker and political leader
• the plural executive, the elected officials of the plural executive and their duties
• the structure of the modern Texas bureaucracy, its organization, and operations
• how state agencies are held accountable by the legislature and the governor