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There are many different elected and appointed public officials whose job is to represent the best interests of Californians. You can learn about the roles and responsibilities of some of these officials by clicking on any of the links below:
Governor
The Governor is vested with the supreme executive power of the State of California and has the duty to ensure that the laws of the state are faithfully executed. Although the Governor heads the Executive Branch of the government, he/she plays an important role in California's legislative process as well. At the beginning of each legislative session, the Governor presents the State of the State Address to the legislature to provide members with information about the conditions of the state and recommendations for legislative action. The Governor is also responsible for submitting an annual budget to the Legislature outlining the government's projected revenues and expenses.
All bills passed by the Legislature are subject to the Governor's approval before becoming law. Although his/her signature is not required for a bill to become law (see the Lifecycle of a Bill), the Governor can veto a bill, which can only be overridden by a two-thirds majority vote in both houses.
The Governor is the sole official liaison between the government of the state and the federal government. He/she also serves as Commander in Chief of the state's militia. Other powers entrusted to the Governor include the power to grant reprieves, commute sentences, and pardon those convicted in the courts of California.
The Governor has appointment powers which include the authority to fill vacancies in the judiciary (superior courts, appeals courts, and the Supreme Court of California) and to fill newly created judicial positions. Other appointments include a large number of positions within the executive branch such as appointees to the State Board of Education and the Public Utilities Commission. The State Senate must confirm these appointments.
The Governor also has the authority to appoint a cabinet, a group of individuals that serve as the Governor's chief policy advisory body.
Visit the Governor's Home Page.