Question

There are 200 boards and agencies (3,000 appointees) The governor fills these. Most of these commissions are 6 year terms in office and usually have 6, sometimes 9, people on each board. They elect people by staggered terms. what does that mean?

Answer 1

A governor fills positions on boards and commissions with staggered terms, meaning board members' terms expire at different times to ensure continuity and stability within the board, reducing the influence of political changes on the board's operations.

Step-by-step explanation:

When we say that a governor fills positions on boards and commissions with staggered terms, it means that the terms of office for the members expire at different times. This is to ensure continuity in the functioning of the board, as not all members are replaced at once. Most of these commission members serve for six years, with boards typically having 6 to 9 members. The concept of staggered terms is utilized across various governmental structures, including the Federal Reserve and agencies directed by commissioners.

Governors have the authority to make these appointments, and they can exert considerable influence over these boards and commissions. The structure aims to reduce the possibility of political influence affecting all board members simultaneously and maintains consistency and stability within the board. This makes the board less susceptible to sudden shifts in policy direction due to changes in political leadership.