Executive‐Legislative Relations: Where You Sit Really Does Matter^*

Abstract

Objectives. Do state legislators believe there is a proper balance of power between the governor and the legislature? The research uses both individual and institutional factors to explain the variation in legislators' opinions. Methods. The results of a mail survey sent to all legislators in nine states were used as the basic data source for the study. The dependent variable required the legislators to indicate if a proper balance of power existed. Hierarchical generalized linear modeling (HGLM) was performed. Results. A sizeable majority of legislators (66 percent) thought there was a proper balance of power between the governor and the legislature. HGLM found no discernable role for a number of state-level characteristics. The analysis did uncover a negative relationship between perceived balance of power and whether the governor had previously served in the legislature. Female legislators were more likely to express a lower level of satisfaction with the balance of power than their male counterparts. The partisan relationship between legislators and governors as well as the majority/minority status of the legislators proved to be most important in explaining legislators' perceptions. Conclusions. Contrary to popular opinion, the relationships between the two branches of government are not inherently contentious. Legislators from the governor's party were most likely to assess the relationship as proper.

Assessment of Legislature-Executive Pattern of Relations in Nigeria’s Democratic Governance of the Fourth Republic: Prospects and Challenges

“…The above submissions of Okoosi-Sinbine project the legislature as a legal instrument of the state and the voice of the people. These also support the description of Bernick and Bernick (2008) about the legislature. Following the above views on the legislature, hence, it can be said that the institution derives its power from the masses.…”

“…The legislature represents a fundamental institution in the business of democratic governance (Ewuim et al, 2014;Heywood, 2007;Obidimma & Obidimma, 2015;Okpe & Taya, 2018, Oni, 2013. In this same vein, Bernick and Bernick (2008), saw the legislature as a branch of the state with the essential objective of expressing and articulating the collective will of the society. It is the most significant institution of political representation (Murana & Bakare, 2019).…”

How Do Legislators Assess Administrative Performance? Georgia’s Department of Transportation in the Eyes of the State’s Legislators

“…At the state level, although agencies are influenced by multiple external actors, including the governor, clientele groups, and professional associations (Brudney & Hebert, 1987), legislatures are critical stakeholders and may exercise substantial influence over administrative agencies (Bourdeaux & Chikoto, 2008; Sarbaugh-Thompson et al, 2010). Legislative power actually appears to have grown in recent decades as a result of “reform efforts designed to permit legislatures to respond to the problems facing state governments” (Bernick & Bernick, 2008, p. 970; see also Moncrief, Thompson, & Cassie, 1996). Some observers contend that state public administrators “view their interaction with the Legislature as more important than their relationship with the governor” (Lee, 2006, p. 1023).…”

Studying Governors over Five Decades

“…The institution is important (Lewis, Schneider, and Jacoby 2015). Unified or divided party control of the two branches as well as interest group activity makes a difference (Jacoby and Schneider 2001; Bernick and Bernick 2008; Bowling and Ferguson 2001). Rosenthal (2012) makes a strong case that gubernatorial behavior is shaped by the economic well-being of the state. Governors are strategic in what and how much to propose (M. R. Ferguson 2003; Rosenthal 2012) and when to bargain (Kousser and Phillips 2012).…”