OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR | NEW YORK STATE, EXECUTIVE BRANCH

NEW YORK STATE, EXECUTIVE BRANCH

The Executive Branch is headed by the Governor, who is elected for a term of four years. The Governor, who must be at least 30 years old, a citizen of the United States and a resident of New York for five years, serves as the State's chief executive and Commander-in-Chief of its military and naval forces. He is required by the Constitution to submit a yearly State Budget to the Legislature, in which he makes recommendations for legislation and proposes funding appropriations for departments and programs. The Governor also is empowered to: veto legislative bills with which he disagrees; convene the Legislature for special sessions; appoint and, under certain conditions, remove non-elected state officers; and grant reprieves, commutations, and pardons.