The state's chief executive: the Governor

The executive branch carries out laws (or executes them). The executive branch supervises the day-to-day administration of the programs and policies. The executive branch is headed by the state governor, and includes five other elected constitutional officers, as well as 17 administrative departments and 12 independent agencies created by statute.

The governor, as Wisconsin’s chief executive officer, represents all the people of the state. The governor has the power to appoint many agency secretaries and other official positions, such as oversight boards (like the Natural Resource Board). Of the 17 principal administrative agencies within the executive branch, 15 (including the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources) are headed by a department secretary appointed by the governor (subject to the advice and consent of the state senate).

Where department secretaries are personally chosen by and serve at the pleasure of the governor, they usually work in close cooperation with the chief executive. The independent agencies are usually headed by part-time boards or multiple commissioners, and governor also appoints most of these officials (with advice and consent of the senate) which serves to strengthen executive control of these units.

The governor consults with department secretaries regarding budget needs and policy initiatives. Agency staff responsible for implementing state policy may have insight into what aspects of policy are working, need revision, or would benefit from more funding. The governor takes an active part in implementing policy through oversight of the agencies involved in day-to-day administration of the law.

The Governor plays a key role in the legislative process through drafting the initial version of the biennial budget, which is submitted to the legislature as a bill. The governor also shapes the legislative process through the power to veto bills, call special sessions of the legislature, and appoint committees or task forces to study state problems and make recommendations for changes in the law.

In the case of appropriation bills that authorize spending, such as a budget, the governor can use the “partial veto” and veto only parts of the bill rather than the whole proposal. The Governor’s state of the state message, the budget message, and special messages focusing on specific topics can also influence the policy items the legislature considers.