Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst

Profile

The lieutenant governor in Texas is unique in that he is part of both the executive and legislative branches. As in most states, the lieutenant governor assumes the powers and duties of the governor when the governor is unable to serve or is absent from the state. But in Texas, the lieutenant governor is elected separately from the governor, and each can be members of different political parties. The lieutenant governor is arguably the most powerful elected official in Texas. The state constitution names the lieutenant governor as president of the Texas Senate, but the constitution also gives the senate the authority to write its own rules. This is where the lieutenant governor derives most of his power. Senate rules give the lieutenant governor a great deal of influence in shaping state policy and influencing laws that may eventually be passed. The rules allow the lieutenant governor to decide all parliamentary questions and use his discretion in following Senate procedural rules. He sets up standing and special committees, and appoints committee chairpersons and individual members. The order in which bills are considered is also set by the lieutenant governor, giving him enormous power over the fate of many bills. The Texas Constitution gives the lieutenant governor the right to debate and vote on all issues when the senate sits as a committee of the whole. And his constitutional role as president of the senate also gives the lieutenant governor the right to cast the deciding vote in the case of a senate tie. Source: Texas Lieutenant Governor's Office; Texas Senate; Kim Quaile Hill and Kenneth R. Mladenka, "Texas Government: Politics and Economics."

Lt. Governor's Biography

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, a businessman and rancher, won office in 2002. Prior to being elected lieutenant governor, Dewhurst served as Commissioner of the Texas General Land Office. Lt. Gov. Dewhurst began his business career in the mid-1970s after serving as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, the Central Intelligence Agency and the U.S. State Department. In 1981, he founded Falcon Seaboard, a Texas-based diversified energy and investments company. As Texas Land Commissioner, Dewhurst substantially reduced the budget and work force of the General Land Office, turned back money each year to Texas' taxpayers, certified almost $1 billion in below-market interest rate loans to veterans and worked to help restore Texas' beaches and bays. Dewhurst has been a longtime civic and community leader in his hometown of Houston, where he still serves on civic and charitable boards. He earned his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Arizona, where he played basketball.

Contacts

Website: www.ltgov.state.tx.us

Capitol Station PO Box 12068 Austin, TX 78711 Work: 512-463-0001 Fax: 512-463-0677 Email: www.ltgov.state.tx.us/contact/

Chief of Staff Blaine Brunson

Press Secretary Rich Parsons

Deputy Chief of Staff Julia Rathgerber

Director of Budget David Duran

Special Advisor for Budget Policy John Opperman

Director of Communications Mike Wintemute

Director of Intergovernmental Relations Don Green

Parliamentarian Karina Casari Davis

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