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Executive‐Legislative Relations: Where You Sit Really Does Matter

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  • Ethan M. Bernick
  • E. Lee Bernick

Abstract

Objectives. Do state legislators believe there is a proper balance of power between the governor and the legislature? The research uses both individual and institutional factors to explain the variation in legislators' opinions. Methods. The results of a mail survey sent to all legislators in nine states were used as the basic data source for the study. The dependent variable required the legislators to indicate if a proper balance of power existed. Hierarchical generalized linear modeling (HGLM) was performed. Results. A sizeable majority of legislators (66 percent) thought there was a proper balance of power between the governor and the legislature. HGLM found no discernable role for a number of state‐level characteristics. The analysis did uncover a negative relationship between perceived balance of power and whether the governor had previously served in the legislature. Female legislators were more likely to express a lower level of satisfaction with the balance of power than their male counterparts. The partisan relationship between legislators and governors as well as the majority/minority status of the legislators proved to be most important in explaining legislators' perceptions. Conclusions. Contrary to popular opinion, the relationships between the two branches of government are not inherently contentious. Legislators from the governor's party were most likely to assess the relationship as proper.

Suggested Citation

  • Ethan M. Bernick & E. Lee Bernick, 2008. "Executive‐Legislative Relations: Where You Sit Really Does Matter," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 89(4), pages 969-986, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:socsci:v:89:y:2008:i:4:p:969-986
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-6237.2008.00594.x
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    1. Francis, Wayne L., 1962. "Influence and Interaction in a State Legislative Body," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 56(4), pages 953-960, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Emmanuel Makoji Egwu, 2020. "Managing Legislature-Executive Relationship and Conflict in the Nigerian Presidential Democracy," International Journal of Asian Social Science, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 10(7), pages 339-349, July.
    2. Peter Stanley Federman & Cali Curley, 2022. "Exploring Intra-State Tensions in Government Responses to COVID-19," Publius: The Journal of Federalism, CSF Associates Inc., vol. 52(3), pages 476-496.

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