Executive Branch

• The main duty of the executive branch is to enforce (execute) or carry out the laws

  
• The powers of the Federal Executive are in Article II (2) of the Constitution.

  
• The powers of the State Executive are defined in Virginia’s Constitution (or any state's constitution)
• Federal Executive Branch

  • President
  • Vice President
  • Cabinet
  • Elected to a 4-year term

  
• State Executive Branch

  • Governor
  • Lieutenant Governor
  • Commonwealth's Attorney
  • Elected to a 4-year term

  
• Local Executive Branch

  • County - County Executive (hired by Board of Supervisors)
  • City - Mayor (elected)
  • Must also elect a
  • Sheriff
  • Treasurer
  • Clerk of Circuit Court
  • Commissioner of Revenue
• The executive branch also contains the Cabinet, which is a group of advisors to the president.

  
• What is the Cabinet?


  A group of advisors and officials who help run the federal or state agencies and help interpret and carry laws

  
• The Cabinet's role is to:

  • Administer and enforce laws
  • Regulate aspects of business and the economy
  • Provide services

  
• Ways the executive branch influences lawmaking

  • Propose legislation in an annual speech to the legislature (State of the Union or State of the Commonwealth Address)
  • Appealing directly to the people through media and communications
  • Approving or vetoing legislation
  • Appointing officials who carry out the laws
  • Issuing Executive Orders

  
• Executive’s Roles

  • Chief of State: Ceremonial head of the government
  • Chief Executive/Administrator: Head of the executive branch
  • Chief Legislator: Proposes legislative agendas and helps influence lawmaking
  • Commander-in-Chief: Head of the armed forces
  • Federal - military
  • State - National Guard
  • Chief of Party: Leader of the political party that he/she belongs to (helps others from party get elected and head of fund-raising)
  • Chief Citizen: Representative of all the people

  
• The President also has 2 roles that the Governor does not do

  • Chief Diplomat - Architect of the American foreign policy; makes treaties and appoints ambassadors
  • Chief Citizen - Representative of all the people

  
• Most of the President’s roles are not expressly stated in the Constitution. The powers have grown since the Constitution was ratified.

  
• The National Executive Branch roles

  • Executes laws of US
  • Prepares annual budget for Congress
  • Appoints Cabinet officers, ambassadors, and federal judge
  • Administers federal offices
  • Grants pardons

  
• The State Executive Branch roles [Virginia]

  • Executes laws of the state/Virginia
  • Prepares biennial budget for General Assembly
  • Appoints Cabinet Officers and boards
  • Administers state offices
  • Grants pardons

  
• The Local Executive Branch roles [Prince William County]

  • Elected or appointed by the Board of Supervisors/City Council
  • Prepares local budget
  • Leads the Board of Supervisors/City Council meetings

  
• The president makes the budget, and Congress approves it.
• The only job local governments have is to make their budget. The executive branch makes the budget.
• The executive branch makes the budget