Executive Branch Tennessee Blue Book
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Section II Executive Branch Tennessee Blue Book Tennessee Electorate Executive Branch Governor Tennessee Public Utility Commission Department of Department Department of Department of Department of Economic and Department of of Children’s Commerce and Agriculture Correction Community Education Services Insurance Development Department of Department of Department Department Department Environment Department of Finance and of Financial of General of Human and Health Administration Institutions Services Resources Conservation Department of Department Department of Department Intellectual and of Labor and Mental Health Department of Department of of Human Developmental Workforce and Substance Military Revenue Services Disabilities Development Abuse Services Department Agencies, Department Department of Safety and Department of Boards, of Tourist of Veterans Homeland Transportation Commissions, Development Services Security and Councils 224 Introduction When you think about state government, you may think of the highway near your home, the state park your family is planning to visit, or one of the state colleges or universities. State government delivers many different services and touches our lives in many ways. The following pages describe the major departments and agencies that make up the executive branch of state government. These administrative divisions are directed by the governor and the governor’s appointees. The state constitution divides the powers of state government into three distinct branches—the legislative, the executive, and the judicial. The legislative authority of the state is vested in a General Assembly, and the judicial power of the state is vested in a Supreme Court and a system of other courts established by the Legislature. In the case of the executive branch, the constitution places the “supreme executive power” of the state with the governor. “Executive” means empowered to administer or to carry out certain duties or functions. The governor and his executive branch agencies “execute”—administer—laws, mandates, and new programs created by the General Assembly by statute. The executive branch delivers a wide range of services to citizens, and it employs more than 39,000 people in twenty-two cabinet-level departments and other agencies. On the following pages, you will see how such a large organization fits together. You will also find addresses, phone numbers, websites, and email addresses for the agencies and programs with services, if you would like to learn more. 225 Bill Lee Governor 226 Office of the Governor State Capitol, 1st Floor 600 Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Blvd. Nashville, TN 37243 (615) 741-2001 TN.gov/governor Bill Lee (R) Executive Branch Executive Governor of Tennessee Bill Lee is seventh-generation Tennessean and 50th governor of Tennessee. He was raised in Franklin where he still resides today with his wife Maria on his family’s farm. He’s the proud father of four adult children (Jessica, twin sons Jacob and Caleb, and Sarah Kate) and five grandchildren. After attending Williamson County Schools, Governor Lee attended Auburn University, where he studied Mechanical Engineering. After graduation, he returned home to Franklin to join the family business his grandfather started in 1944, a com- prehensive mechanical construction service company. He became president of Lee Company in 1992. Now, Governor Lee is focused on several priorities including good jobs, great schools, and safe neighborhoods so we can keep Tennessee moving in the right direction. This year, Governor Lee passed a series of legislative initiatives to strengthen career and technical training, expand school choice, pursue criminal justice reform, improve public safety and sharpen the effectiveness of government. His administra- tion is also focused on the accelerated transformation of rural Tennessee. The governor and first lady are people of strong faith. They are active in Grace Chapel Church and in numerous faith-based ministries, which have taken them all over the world to serve people in need, including to Africa, Haiti, Central America, and the Middle East. Duties of the Governor “The supreme executive power of this state shall be vested in a governor.” This sentence in the Tennessee Constitution best describes the awesome respon- sibility of the governor, who, more than any other individual, is responsible for the operation of state government. The governor’s duties, responsibilities, and authority are defined in the Tennessee Constitution. It governs issues ranging from the gov- ernor’s qualifications to the right to convene the General Assembly in extraordinary session. The governor is responsible for the enforcement of laws, the collection of taxes, and the general well-being of citizens. These responsibilities are entrusted to a Cabinet that includes the commissioners of the various departments and the gov- ernor’s staff. Intangible qualities that the governor should possess include the ability to lead and create an atmosphere of unity among the state’s citizens; the energy to partici- pate in various functions, both in Nashville and around the state; the compassion to 227 Tennessee Blue Book Office of the Governor understand problems and to assist in their solutions; the enthusiasm necessary to motivate others; and the ability to communicate with all segments of society. The Constitution clearly defines the tangible responsibilities of the governor. For example, “He shall be commander-in-chief of the Army and Navy of the state, and of the Militia, except when they shall be called into the service of the United States.” In the Constitution, the General Assembly has the sole authority to pass laws, and the courts of the state have the sole authority to try cases. However, the governor has considerable influence in both areas. The governor is expected to recommend legislation and has the authority to veto bills that have been passed and that, in his judgment, are not in the best interest of all citizens. The governor also has the authority to appoint judges and chancellors to fill vacancies in the courts, with con- firmation by the Tennessee General Assembly. The governor has the right to grant executive clemency, as well as the power to grant post-conviction reprieves and pardons, except in cases of impeachment. The governor is the people’s spokesman in national matters and their repre- sentative when a single voice is needed in matters of concern outside the state’s boundaries, including labor and management, industry, agriculture, and business. The governor appoints commissioners to head the various departments and assist in the operation of government. They report directly to the governor or an executive staff member. The governor and the executive staff occupy offices in the Capitol. The executive offices are on the first floor, and the legislative chambers are on the second. Commissioners’ offices are generally located near Capitol Hill. The governor also appoints members to boards and commissions to assist in governmental operations. Many boards and commissions regulate personal services performed in the state. Some boards and commissions are official agencies of the state, and others are semiofficial. The boards and commissions on which the governor serves include the State Funding Board, State Building Commission, Board of Equalization, Tennessee Local Development Authority, and the School Bond Authority. He also chairs the Board of Regents and the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees. The Constitution provides that the governor “shall be at least thirty years of age, shall be a citizen of the United States, and shall have been a citizen of this state seven years next before his election.” Candidates for governor must first obtain their party’s nomination in an August pri- mary election, and then must run against the nominees of other parties in a November general election. The governor is limited to two four-year terms. The governor may receive an annual salary of approximately $190,000, as well as an official residence and funding for its operation. The Tennessee Constitution provides that, in the event of a vacancy in the office of governor, the speaker of the Senate assumes the office. Next in the line of suc- cession are the speaker of the House of Representatives, the secretary of state, and the comptroller. 228 Maria Lee First Lady of Tennessee 230 Maria Lee First Lady of Tennessee Maria was raised in Silver Spring, Maryland as one of five children. After graduating high school, she attended the University of Maryland where she studied Elementary Education. It was her heart for service that brought her to Nashville, Tennessee where she led girls in a youth ministry discipleship. Maria later became a third and fourth grade teacher at a local school where she also coached track. Maria and Bill married in 2008. They are active members of Grace Chapel Church and are involved in numerous faith-based ministries that have taken them all over the Branch Executive world serving those in need. Maria currently serves on the board of Friend2Friend Book Project, a mission devoted to delivering uplifting literature to children and their families suffering from medical hardships. During her first year as First Lady of Tennessee, Maria Lee introduced Tennessee Serves, a three-part initiative to serve, highlight, and mobilize Tennesseans to serve one another and volunteer in their communities. In partnering with county mayors and local nonprofits, Lee traveled the state to participate in recommended service projects tailored to the needs of each community with a special focus on distressed counties. Lee also worked to highlight the count- less people and organizations already making a difference in their communities by showcasing their efforts on her website and social media platforms. By personally devoting her time to service projects and highlighting ways oth- ers can get involved, Lee hopes that Tennessee Serves will act as a mobilization mechanism to increase volunteerism across the state. To that end, Lee launched the Tennessee Kids Serve Summer Challenge where rising kindergartners through sixth graders were asked to devote a portion of their summer break to service.