The Governor of Texas’s Influence on Public Policy

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Effective Campaign Issues
Summary of Formal and Informal Powers
Formal Powers Applied to Issues
Informal Powers Applied to Issues
Contribution
References

Introduction

The office of the Governor is essential for implementing public policy that will be beneficial for ordinary citizens. It refers to the fact that this high-ranking official has both formal and informal powers that allow him or her to influence legislation concerning significant issues. As for Texas, they are immigrants from Mexico, the state of roads and highways, death penalty application, and k-12 education. Particular reasons explain why each of these issues is of crucial significance for Texas citizens. That is why it is necessary to overview the formal and informal powers of the Governor of Texas to see how this elected official can affect public policy. Furthermore, an appropriate set of powers can be used to address each of the issues above.

Effective Campaign Issues

I have been elected the Governor of Texas because I have managed to address four significant issues. Since Texas borders Mexico, the state is full of immigrants from this country, which creates severe problems for the American population. The promise to control this immigration has made many people vote for my candidacy. Upgrading roads and highways is an obligatory requirement for developed states, and Texas has had significant problems with this. Thus, numerous people suffer from poor conditions of the state’s roads, and they want them to be improved. In addition to that, Texas citizens are concerned with the application of the death penalty because this state is responsible for a great part of executions throughout the whole country. Every case of capital punishment should be treated attentively to ensure that it is applied impartially because it refers to depriving people of their lives. Addressing this issue has made my candidacy more popular among numerous citizens. Finally, improving k-12 education is essential for Texas because it will involve even more children in obligatory classes and save them from various social problems.

The information above proves that I have developed and conveyed the right campaign message that stands for a central theme of the whole campaign (Newell, Prindle, & Riddlesperger, 2016). The chosen problems have determined my campaign strategy and specific groups of voters who have voted for my candidacy. According to Newell et al. (2016), the promises to solve crucial issues are characteristic features of the Savior. As a result, a perspective of a better future for all Texas citizens makes various people support this campaign irrespective of their political beliefs, economic abilities, genders, and ages.

Summary of Formal and Informal Powers

As has been mentioned, the Governor of Texas has both formal and informal powers. Formal ones refer to those powers that are given to any person who holds this office, and a few particular examples represent them. According to Newell et al. (2016), tenure potential is positive because a person can serve an unlimited number of four-year terms if the population elects him or her. It results in an active political competition since the Governor’s opponents cannot just wait until the end of his or her office. Cooper, Knotts, and Ragusa (2016) state that the Governor also holds a significant power of appointing numerous officials. If these appointees do not perform their duties properly, this official has the right to remove them from office. However, this power does not apply to the officials who were appointed by the Governor’s predecessor. Furthermore, this person has the power to introduce some changes to the budget, offer long-term development strategies, influence the judiciary, and control the legislature by virtue of the veto (Newell et al., 2016).

In addition to that, the Governor has informal powers that are not provided by the Constitution. They depend on the personal and professional experience of the Governor, and every person who holds this office can have various informal powers. Thus, it refers to party power that is represented by the fact that the Governor is considered an integral part of the party he or she represents. Thus, the image of a corresponding party influences that of the given office. The power of popularity is closely connected with that of agenda-setting. When the Governor is popular among citizens, it is easier for him or her to influence public policy, while perfect communication skills are also useful here (Newell et al., 2016). Furthermore, the Governor has the power to represent the state on the national and international stages to further the interests of Texas. Finally, the Governor has the power of staff that is represented by two or three hundred people. This power refers to creating a coordinated and loyal team of professionals to implement public policy smoothly and effectively.

Formal Powers Applied to Issues

The Governor of Texas can exercise various legal powers to address the issues mentioned above. For example, the legislative powers, in general, and the right to veto, in particular, can be used to make the legislative branch pass necessary bills to address Mexican immigration. The budgetary powers will be enough to address the issue of upgrading the roads. It refers to the fact that the Governor can try to persuade the responsible officials to include appropriate funding into the budget. In addition to that, the Governor uses his or her judicial powers to influence the execution of capital punishments. Even though Texas is the only state where the Governor may not free a criminal from the death penalty, this official can recommend giving a pardon (Newell et al., 2016). Finally, the issue of k-12 education can be improved due to the appointing powers when the Governor appoints the right people who will be responsible for this improvement.

Informal Powers Applied to Issues

At the same time, the informal powers also allow influencing public policy. Thus, the issue of immigration can be resolved at an international level when the Governor exercises power to represent the state. The party power will be sufficient for solving the problem of the roads because the support of significant political entities will help influence the budget. Furthermore, the Governor can exercise the power of popularity and agenda-setting to decide on death penalty cases. If the judiciary refuses to follow the Governor’s recommendation, these powers will help create a mass media campaign that will influence this branch (Ramsey, 2018). Finally, the power of staff is useful for addressing the issue of education because experienced professionals should contribute to the solution of this case.

Contribution

The Governor of Texas is a significant official who is responsible for implementing public policy. That is why a person should address essential issues to be elected as the Governor. As for Texas, they are Mexican immigrants, the state roads, application of the death penalty, and education. A holder of this office has both formal and informal powers that help him or her influence various significant issues. It is reasonable to combine both these kinds of power to achieve the best results.

References

Cooper, C. A., Knotts, G., & Ragusa, J. (2016). The constrained governor: Exploring gubernatorial decision making on senate appointments. Political Research Quarterly, 69(3). Web.

Newell, C., Prindle, D. F., & Riddlesperger, J. (2016). Texas politics (13th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.

Ramsey, R. (2018). Analysis: How to turn a weak Texas governor’s office into a strong one.The Texas Tribune. Web.

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