The institutional powers of governors are an important part of our political system. They provide the framework within which state governments function and make decisions. Governors have a unique set of formal powers that grant them authority to shape their states’ policies, budgets, and laws. These powers can include executive orders, budgeting authority, appointments to many offices or boards, legislative power (veto or amendment), control over regulatory agencies and commissions, and the ability to call for special sessions of the legislature. Understanding what these powers are and how they help shape policy is essential for anyone interested in government or politics.

Executive Orders: Executive orders are powerful tools which allow governors to act without legislation from state legislatures. An executive order is an official document issued by the governor that has legal force within its jurisdiction; this could be a single county or even an entire state depending on where it was issued. Governors typically use their executive orders to implement new policies quickly without waiting for approval from legislators. For example, a governor may issue an executive order requiring all public schools in the state to close if there is a serious health threat such as pandemic flu or requiring businesses with 50+ employees provide benefits for their staffs like paid sick leave during unexpected emergencies like covid-19 pandemics .