Governor |
| Governor Rick Perry |
| Profile |
| The governor is the chief executive of the state. He is elected by the citizens every four years and has several responsibilities outlined by the state constitution. Among the most well known, the governor signs or vetoes bills passed by the Legislature and also makes policy recommendations that lawmakers in both the House and Senate chambers may sponsor and introduce as bills. The governor delivers a report on the condition of the state at the beginning of each regular Legislative session and is the only one who can convene special sessions of the Legislature for specific purposes. He recommends a state budget to the Legislature every two years. The governor also appoints members of boards and commissions who oversee the heads of state agencies and departments. He can grant reprieves, commutations of punishment and pardons upon the recommendation of the Board of Pardons and Paroles, or revoke conditional pardons. While most citizens consider the governor to be the state's most powerful official, the Texas governorship is among the weakest in the country. The Texas governor has little authority to create the state's budget or control the actions of individual state agencies. As most of the state's highest offices are elected ones, he also has limited powers of appointment. Although limited in official authority, the governor is usually extremely politically powerful and can use the authority and prestige of his office to influence state policy. The governor is the state's liaison with the federal government and often has a high national profile that other state officials do not. The governor is also the traditional head of his political party in the state. Sources: Office of the Governor of Texas. Kim Quaile Hill and Kenneth R. Mladenka, "Texas Government: Politics and Economics." |
| Governor's Biography |
| Gov. Rick Perry is the 47th governor of Texas. He was elected lieutenant governor in 1999 and became governor in December 2000 when then-Gov. George W. Bush resigned to become president. Gov. Perry won re-election in 2002. He was first elected to statewide office in 1990, serving as Texas Commissioner of Agriculture for two terms. From 1985 to 1991, he represented a rural West Texas district in the Texas House of Representatives. Between 1972 and 1977, Gov. Perry served in the United States Air Force flying C-130 tactical airlift aircraft in the United States, Europe and the Middle East. He is a 1972 graduate of Texas A&M University where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets, a yell leader and an animal science major. He and his wife Anita married in 1982. They have two children. |
| Contacts |
| Website: www.governor.state.tx.us |
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PO Box 12428 Austin, TX 78711 Physical address: Office of the Governor, State Insurance Building 1100 San Jacinto Austin, TX 78701 Work: 512-463-2000 Assistance and Opinion: 512-463-1782 Fax: 512-463-1849 Email: www.governor.state.tx.us/contact www.governor.state.tx.us |
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Press Office PO Box 12428 Austin, TX 78711 Work: 512-463-1826 TDD: 512-475-3165 Fax: 512-463-1837 |
| Organization |
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Press Secretary Allison Castle |
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Deputy Press Secretary Katherine Cesinger |
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Director of Communications Mark Miner |
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Deputy Director of Communications Andrew Barlow |
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