The Governor’s Desk

What power does the governor have in the Legislative Process? In the United States and in Washington State, we pride ourselves on our system of representative democracy and the checks and balances that help keep this system in place. With Sine Die, the bulk of the legislative branch’s work is finished for the year, and now the Executive Branch’s role in the legislative process begins in earnest. Legislation that passed both the House and the Senate is sent to the Governor for approval. The Governor’s signature acts as a check on the legislature; the governor will have 20 days after Sine Die to either sign or veto the proposed legislation. If they choose to do neither, the bills will become law without a signature. Of course the Legislature can override vetos with a 2/3 vote of both the House and Senate, but this check on the Executive Branch can be hard to achieve in a divided Legislative Body.

Hear from former Governor Gregoire and former Governor Inslee explain how the governor is involved during the session, how they come to the decisions they do, as well as the bill signing powers they have.

Discussion Questions for the Classroom:
How does the governor work with the legislature during the lawmaking process?
What options does the governor have during the legislative process?
How does the governor stay involved with the legislature during the process?
What options does the governor have when it reaches their desk?
Why might the governor veto a bill or a section of a bill?
Why might a governor not sign a bill and allow it to become law without their signature?
Who advises the governor when they are deciding whether to sign a bill?
What does the governor consider when deciding whether to sign a bill?
How does the governor’s values play into the decisions made?

More Learning resources:

📚Check out our other CIVICS CURRICULA for WA middle and high school teachers: https://www.teachwithtvw.org/lesson-plans/
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🎬 Legislative Navigator https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SD-p5BHx443GTtGBp_DKQVT&feature=shared

🎬 Learning Modules - The Branches of WA State Government:
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Other Teach With TVW Civics Programs
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🙋Capitol Classroom - Bring the Legislative process into your classroom: https://teachwithtvw.org/civic-participation-in-the-classroom/

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