Q&A with Brian McCall
DMN has a Q&A with Brian McCall.
In your recent Ph.D. dissertation on Texas governors, you reasoned that our governors have enough power. Why?The governor may not be as powerful in Texas in say, New Jersey, but I don't think he is nearly as weak as the stereotype.It depends upon how realistically they assess the opportunities and how skillfully they exploit them. It was said of a recent weak governor that there were no benefits for being his friend and no consequences for being his enemy. Strong governors create those benefits and consequences.
But we're not a podunk state. How can a governor lead without even being able to appoint a Cabinet?
Our chief executive doesn't lack power. With the ability to appoint Texans to boards and commissions, Rick Perry has already filled every opening in state government. In addition, the governor appoints powerful agency heads, like the person running the Health and Human Services Commission, which has a budget greater than some nations. He also can line-item-veto the budget and stop any bill from becoming law.
Posted by Evan @ 05/07/07 11:21 PM
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