Running head: THE ROLE OF TEXAS GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT Fraga 1

The Role of Texas Governor Greg Abbott

Mark Fraga

Prof. Gilligan

Texas Government

El Centro College
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Abstract

In this paper, I am going to discuss the role of governor Greg Abbott at a state level. The current

governor Greg Abbott performs various political goals including initiating a budget proposal in

Texas and allocating the amounts to the state agency. This paper will detail the current plural

executive position in the executive branch of government and how it impacted the State of

Texas. I am also going to discuss the role of the governor as a commander-in-chief and how he

shares power in the executive system. In this paper, I shall discuss the things Greg Abbott wants

to do with his position. I shall also present a graphical presentation illustrating the impact of

governorship in the U.S economy. Finally, I will highlight issues affecting the governor such as

property tax relief and school safety and highlight what should be done to curb such problems.
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The Role of Texas Governor Greg Abbott

In Texas, governor’s share plural power because of the plural executive system. In the

case where the governor is unable to execute duties, the deputy governor is mandated to exercise

his powers as stated in the Texas Constitution. If the deputy governor is absent, the senior judge

of the Supreme Court can administer the services. The governor only has the power to appoint an

executive official the secretary of state. In the US, governors serve as commanders-in-chief and

chief executives in their states. They play a crucial role in making policy recommendations that

are sponsored and introduce them as bills in the Senate chambers (The Handbook of Texas

Online (TSHA), (n.d.). Governors have the mandate to appoint the secretary of state and

commissions whose role is to monitor the activities in the state agencies. Greg Abbott initiates a

budget proposal in Texas (Texans State Agency List, n.d.). He allocates amounts to the state

agency under discretion. The governor oversees taxes and often enjoys the dividends when the

surplus of tax is high. In the process, he has the power to reduce the tax and disburse funds to a

new project. Also, the governor is mandated to restore funds that were lost during fiscal distress

and save some amount for the rainy season. The governor makes the call when the cut is made

on a financial budget. (Texans State Agency List, n.d.).

The power of the legislature checks the roles and responsibilities of the governor. Greg

Abbott is one of the governors in the US who runs statutory duties in Texas. He plays a critical

role is signing bills organizing special sessions of the legislature and deliver reports as instructed

by the state of assembly. (Aliyya, Chris and Najmabadi, 2019). In this session, the governors

would hold meetings to discuss the legislative priorities. They also work with the media to get

legislative coverage. With the additional powers, the governors can check the actions of the
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legislative branch at their disposal. In case the bill is not worth signing, the governor has the

power to revert it to the legislature. (Prazan, 2018).

In Texas, and among other states of US, the governor is a ceremonial head of state

elected by the citizens. The people choose the governor in all the states. A governor may run for

re-election when his term expires. Voters can register under one party or another the cast their

votes for a preferred candidate. During the general election, the elected candidates will face other

primary winners chosen under a different party. (Prazan, 2018). In particular, the election of

governors which happens after every four years proceeds in two stages the principal and the

general voting. Every state elects its respective candidate in the initial phase. The elected

candidates come from two different parties and are eligible to compete with others in the general

election. In this second election, an independent candidate is appointed to compete with the

candidates elected during the primary stage. The states set a date for the poll, and each candidate

vies for the governorship under a different party. The chief election official certifies the results

once the votes have been counted. Once the winner is declared, he or she is sworn as per the

election laws specification.

The current Texas governor Greg Abbott was born in 1957. He is an American lawyer

and a politician. Greg Abbott was an insurance agent and a stockbroker. He attended Duncanville

high school and went to Vanderbilt University Law School in 1984. In 1981, he studied BBA

finance at University of Texas. Greg Abbott was paralyzed in 1984 at the age of 26 after an oak

tree fell on him while jogging. (Prazan, 2018). From 2002 to 2015, the Greg Abbott served as

the 50th attorney general of Texas under the Republican party. Before being an attorney general,

Greg Abbott serves as a justice of the Texas supreme court. He advocated for the right of the

state of Texas and expanded the Attorney General's office. He fought against sexual assault by
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creating a fugitive unit to track sex offenders. According to the Texas Almanac, Greg Abbott

filed a lawsuit to challenge Obamacare. Abbott sued other organizations such as Sony BMG for

illegal spyware. (Texas Almanac. (n.d.).

Greg Abbott’s goal is to add more resources in his state to eradicate corruption and earn

people’s trust. (The Handbook of Texas Online (TSHA), (n.d.). Abbott was against hurling insult

to leaders and promise to unite people together. In his position, Greg Abbott set new policies to

build the future of the Texans. He believes he can do more to promote personal and economic

liberty. As a leader, Greg Abbott wants to ensure Texas is safe and secure for the citizens. He has

set plans to expand the education system, reform the government, protect religious liberty and

secure the border. (Aliyya, Chris and Najmabadi, 2019). Greg Abbott believes that conserving

values and religious freedom will help the Texans fight for their families, stand on principle faith

and raise a healthy family. He believes in the pledge of allegiance and one nation under God.

Greg Abbott believes citizens need to feel secure for them to succeed at school and work. He

signed for the creation of border security to prevent human trafficking and drug importation. The

governor has also enforced the law and sign against irresponsible and release of criminals to the

society. He signed legislation that requires the state agency to verify the disbursement of money

and ensure funds goes to eligible individuals. (Texans State Agency List, n.d.) Greg Abbott

believes that supporting law enforcement promotes safety in the community.

Greg Abbott under the Republican party has set several goals to accomplish in his state.

His goal is to ensure there is quality education and human trafficking is brought to a halt. He

believes parents should be empowered to choose the best school for their children. In this regard,

he has signed the university research initiative to fund and promote research in various schools.

Greg Abbott is against human trafficking as he believes life is a gift from God. (Texas Almanac.)
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(n.d.). For this reason, Greg Abbott has always defended Texans rights as guaranteed in the

constitution. Greg Abbott’s mission is to safeguard the children. One of Greg Abbott’s project is

to restore the broken foster care and protect the child system in his state. (The Handbook of

Texas Online (TSHA), (n.d).

Currently, Greg Abbott is facing issues with property tax relief and school safety (Prazan,

2018). Such issues may affect the governor’s goals. He promised to deal with teacher pay raise,

school safety, school finance, mental health, and disaster response (Aliyya, Chris and

Najmabadi, 2019) Greg Abbott said in one of his speech that he is willing to work with Lyle

Larson to boost the competition between Longhorns and Aggies. Greg Abbott assured everybody

that Texas is currently a safer place. He urged the authorities to implement school safety

measures to reinstate safety to the children. Besides, Greg Abbott called for innovative mental

health policies to help alleviate health issues in the state.

The graph illustrated above shows the expansion of the U.S economy in the last ten years

under the governor’s leadership. The government is benefitting from the tax revenues, and many
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of the governors have benefitted from the revenues. They have used the money to expand the

education system and other beneficial programs. The graph illustrates the taxation and spending

records of the governors. Those who have reduced the spending and taxes have received high

grading. Greg Abbott is among the five governors awarded an A grade for his brilliant

performance (Cato, 2013). The court decision to promote online taxes is likely to shape the fiscal

environment through the performance of governorship.

Although Greg Abbott addresses the issues of tax, safety, finance, and mental problems, I

do not believe he is a good leader for various reasons. His failure to answer questions on policy

issues is an indication that Greg Abbott lacks the qualities of a good leader (Cato, 2013).

Besides, he refused to answer questions on education. Investigation shows that Greg Abbott has

always had a habit of refusing to address issues on taxpayers and education. Despite such

challenges, the governor can take a crucial step to address issues at hand. He should begin by

addressing the issues of tax and providing a platform that promotes school safety. He should also

deal with the teachers’ pay raise, mental health, taxpayers and response to the disaster. Besides,

the governor should step up to address the issues in public and answer questions affecting the

education system. In doing so, the governor would be able to solve various challenges and

people’s trust in performing his duties.

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References

Aliyya Swaby, Chris Essig and Shannon Najmabadi. (2019, April 8). Here's how different

proposals at the Texas Capitol could change property tax bills. Retrieved from

https://www.texastribune.org/2019/04/08/texas-property-taxes-homeowners/

Cato, G. (2013, December 16). #NoCommentAbbott: On the Important Issues Facing Texans,

Greg Abbott Has No Comment. Retrieved from

http://www.burntorangereport.com/diary/14538/nocommentabbott-on-the-important-

issues-facing-texans-greg-abbott-has-no-comment

The Handbook of Texas Online (TSHA). (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://tshaonline.org/handbook/search

Prazan, P. (2018, November 6). Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on the issues. Retrieved from

https://www.kxan.com/news/your-local-election-hq/debates/texas-gov-greg-abbott-on-

the-issues/1457208703

State Agency List. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.tsl.texas.gov/apps/lrs/agencies/index.html

almanac home | Texas Almanac. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://texasalmanac.com/