Final answer:
The Governor of Texas creates public policy through executive orders, which are directives equivalent to laws used to implement or change policy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Governor of Texas creates public policy through executive orders. The executive branch in Texas, referred to as a plural executive, comprises officials directly elected by the voters, leading to a gubernatorial power that is shared and checked by other officials. These officials, including the Governor, have the ability to control the executive branch by publicizing their thematic focus, ushering along appointments, and issuing executive orders. While these orders are primarily directives to administrators on how to implement legislation, they are treated by courts as equivalent to laws and have the power to shape policy significantly.
Presidents and governors can implement or change policy through executive orders. These orders offer instructions on how to implement the law under the executive's discretion. Notable examples of executive orders on a national level include the Emancipation Proclamation and the desegregation of the armed forces. In Texas, the Governor may issue executive orders to address a wide array of policy areas, which could have profound impacts on public policy within the state.