Governor Duties

The United States being a Federal democracy and government, is made up of a number of states. The primary feature of such a government is that the Federal form of government was set up after the states came together and unified to form the Federal government of the United States.

Governors of a Federal Government

There are quite a number of features of a federal state, the first one being that the government and state is headed by a governor. An important fact that should be carefully thought about is that the governor heads a Federal state of the United States. Basically, it is almost like heading an entire nation with a legislature. The only difference is that there is a control that is exerted by the Federal government and the state cannot secede from the central system of Federalism. To know about some really great achievements of the governors you will have to go through the entire American history, but it will definitely be worth it.

The most important duty is that, the governor is supposed to keep the conscience of the state's legislature. Now the state legislature might have many different names such as, Iowa has a General Assembly, or Massachusetts has a General court, the primary duty of the governor however remains the same. The duties can be summed up in just 4 words 'care for the people'.

Duties of a Governor

The following is a random list of duties which differ from state to state and can be broadly divided into 3 parts namely, ceremonial, general duties and finally the legislative duties.

• Ceremonial Duties: Ceremonial duties are symbolic, yet significant. The governor, for example, is the commander-in-chief of all military establishments and organizations of the state. These organizations include the National guard. In some states sufficient powers of the commander-in-chief can be exercised by the governors. Such governors can mobilize the armed forces of the state in the event of sufficient cause. Among the governor duties that are regarded as a ceremonial one is their authority to fill vacancies in government with sufficient cause. Both these duties are not evoked prominently, but have to be fulfilled rarely as per need.
• Legislative Duties: The legislative duties of the governor are extremely important as they control the legislative body and also ensure that the legislative proceedings are fruitful. The most important duty in such a case is the veto and ratification power in case of bills. A very unique power that is held by many governors is the power to recommended and in some cases also exercise changes in the bills. The governors also convenes some special legislative sessions to members. Apart from that ceremonially presenting a situation before the legislature and an executive report in front of the legislature is an important duty of the governor.
• General Duties: There are countless general duties, for example, have an authority to grant reprieves and commutations to punishments and court decisions, if they think that the cause is sufficient. In addition to that, governors also recommend taxation changes to the legislatures. The governors can also recommend an entire budget to legislature.

Apart from such duties, the governors have also played an influential role in national and international politics. The United States political system also grants sufficient duties so that such governors can safeguard their states and its people from any imminent problem or danger. It must be noted that in absence of the governor, the lieutenant governor carries out all the above mentioned responsibilities and tasks.