Governors, Legislatures, and Budgets: Diversity Across the American States

How does gubernatorial and legislative influence over state spending vary across the American states? This is the question that Governors, Legislators, and Budgets sets out to answer. Clynch and Lauth offer case studies from all areas of the country. Demographically, they range from very rural to heavily urban. They also show a wide diversity in their center of power. Some have their power strongly resting with the governor. Other states show domination by the legislature, and still others paint a picture of evenly dispersed power.

This volume provides the contextual richness needed to understand the executive-legislative interaction which occurs during the recurring budgeting process. Chapters two to four focus on strong executive states with gubernatorial domination, approaching the executive centered process envisioned by reformers. The next four chapters concentrate on a variety of states in which the legislature retains the ability to effectively challenge the executive. The remaining chapters examine states with legislative influence and those with unusual arrangements. A closing essay by Clynch and Lauth completes the volume.