Question

What power does a governor have over legislative matters? What kinds of informal powers are governors able to use to increase their influence? What is the significance of the line-item veto?

Answer 1

Here are the main points for the Governor's power over legislative matters:

• The Governor has the power to summon or discontinue or prorogue the state legislature. He may also appoint or nominate certain members of the Stae Legislative Assembly.
• The Governor has the power to disqualify a member of the state legislature.
• All Bills passed by the State Legislature need the Governor's assent. He may choose to pass, withhold, return, or reserve the bill as he thinks fit.
• He has Ordinance making powers, if satisfied that circumstances justify it.
• The Governor lays the reports of State Legislature.

Informal powers used by Governors to increase their influence may include the following:

The Governor may have the power to communicate with political actors

He can use his influence to build coalitions and and receive party support.

Significance of the line-item veto

This is a special veto power which gives an executive the authority to reject certain provsions of a bill, without vetoing the entire bill.