Question

Under what circumstances can the governor of Texas exercise the line-item veto?

a) Only when the state legislature is not in session
b) Anytime during their term in office
c) When the governor disagrees with the entire budget
d) To selectively reject specific provisions of a spending bill

Answer 1

The governor of Texas can use the line-item veto to selectively reject specific provisions of a spending bill, allowing them to influence the state budget without vetoing the entire bill.

Step-by-step explanation:

The governor of Texas has the authority to use the line-item veto to selectively reject specific provisions of a spending bill. This means that, rather than vetoing an entire budget bill, the governor can strike out individual budget items they disagree with while allowing the rest of the budget to become law. The line-item veto is a powerful tool that allows the governor to control state spending and influence the state budget without negating the entire legislative effort.

Although the Legislature can override the line-item veto with a two-thirds vote, this power adds a significant check to the governor's legislative agenda and budget management, especially during periods when cuts are required or when dealing with budget surplus decisions.