Final answer:
The executive branch of state and local government is headed by the governor at the state level and the mayor at the local level. They enforce laws, manage policies, and their duties include a range of administrative responsibilities. State executives also have the power to appoint judiciary members, contributing to a system of checks and balances.
Step-by-step explanation:
Executive Branch in State and Local Government
The executive branch of state and local government is led by elected officials who administer and enforce laws. At the state level, the chief executive is typically the governor, who alongside other officers, such as the lieutenant governor, attorney general, and secretary of state, directs the functions of the state. The mayor plays a similar role at the city level, managing local affairs.
Executives, along with their cabinets and bureaucracies, play crucial roles in policy enforcement, and their responsibilities can include issuing executive orders, preparing budgets, vetoing legislation, and granting pardons. The executive branch at the local level includes mayors, City Council members, and other officials. These local executives often work on a nonpartisan basis and provide visibility and accountability to the voters.
State and local executives also have the power to appoint individuals to the judiciary, adding a layer of checks and balances. The growth of the executive branch has historically resulted in an expansion in both the number of departments and employees serving under the executive's direction. These employees work across various agencies to address the needs and laws of the society they serve.