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Governor of Kentucky

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The Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is an elected Constitutional officer, the head of the Executive branch, and the highest state office in Kentucky. The Governor is popularly elected every four years by a plurality and is limited to two successive terms.

Current officer

The 61st and current Governor is Steve Beshear, a Democrat elected in 2007.

His wife, Jane Klingner, is the First Lady of Kentucky.

Authority

The state Constitution addresses the office of the governor in Article 6, the Executive Department.

Under Article IV, Section 69:

The supreme executive power of the Commonwealth shall be vested in a Chief Magistrate, who shall be styled the "Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky."

Qualifications

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2012 • 2011 • 2010
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Breaking news

A candidate for governor is required to be:

  • at least thirty years old
  • have resided in the state for at least six years preceding the general election

Election

Kentucky belongs to the handful of states that hold off-year elections, that is, elections in off-numbered years that are neither Presidential nor midterm years. In Kentucky's case, elections are held in the year after a midterm and before a Presidential; thus, 2007, 2011, 2015, and 2019 are all gubernatorial election years. Legally, the inauguration is always held the fifth Tuesday after an election. Thus, December 13, 2011 and December 15, 2015 are inaugural days.

In the event of a tie, a joint session of the legislature shall cast ballots, as set out in § 90.

Vacancies

See also: How gubernatorial vacancies are filled

Details of vacancies are addressed under Article 6, Section 84.

Whatever the circumstances, if the elected governor is unable or unwilling to discharge the office, the duties pass to the lieutenant governor. If the governor is on trial for any reason, the Chief Justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court must be the presiding officer.

Regarding physical or mental unfitness for office, the Attorney General of Kentucky may petition the Supreme Court for a judgment that the governor must be removed either temporarily or permanently.

Duties

Kentucky

Substantial power is granted to the governor of Kentucky. Historically, the office has been regarded as one of the most powerful executive positions in the United States.

With regards to the legislature

The governor exercises traditional veto power, which can be overridden by a majority of both houses of the General Assembly. He or she is also granted the privilege of a line-item veto. As with the U.S. President, the governor has the option of a pocket veto. Unlike the federal pocket veto, however, in the event that the legislature dismisses, preventing the return of the bill by the governor, the bill becomes law after ten days unless the governor explicitly vetoes it. (With the federal pocket veto, the bill is considered vetoed after ten days if the legislature dismisses.)

The governor may, in exceptional circumstances, call the General Assembly into special session. This is done by issuing a proclamation that includes the issue or issues to be addressed in the special session. Consideration of any other issues during the session is forbidden. Special sessions are to take place in the state capital except in cases of danger from enemies or disease; in such cases, the governor specifies the location of the session.

The governor is required to give a "State of the Commonwealth" address periodically to the General Assembly. Traditionally, this is an annual address. The governor is also charged with presenting a budget to the General Assembly every other year.

With regards to the judiciary

He or she is granted the traditional executive power of pardon except in cases of impeachment or treason.

With regards to appointments

The governor is given broad appointment power, and names many state commissioners and department heads without the need for legislative approval. The governor is also empowered to reorganize the state government or reduce it in size.

Other duties and privileges of the office include:

  • Serving as commander-in-chief of Kentucky's military forces, unless those forces have already been federalized (§ 75)
  • Filling all vacancies when the manner is not otherwise prescribed (§ 76)
  • Remitting fines and forfeitures, commuting sentences, and granting reprieves, in addition to the judicial pardon (§ 77)
  • Requiring written reports from any other member of the Executive on any aspect of that individual's job (§ 78)

Compensation

The governor's pay is set by law, under § 74, and must be paid as a salary and in no other way, under § 96.

As of 2010, the governor of Kentucky is paid $145,885 a year, the 18th highest gubernatorial salary in America.

Contact information

700 Capitol Avenue, Suite 100
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601
Phone:502-564-2611
Fax:502-564-2517
TDD:502-564-9551

See also

External links

References

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