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Texas Governor Rick Perry 

Agency History

Governor Perry 2014

Governor Rick Perry 2014

The governor of Texas is the chief executive officer of the state, elected by the citizens every four years. The duties and responsibilities of the governor include serving as commander-in-chief of the state’s military forces; convening special sessions of the legislature for specific purposes; delivering to the legislature at the beginning of each regular session a report on the condition of the state, an accounting of all public money under the governor’s control, a recommended biennial budget, an estimate of the amounts of money required to be raised by taxation and any recommendations he deems necessary; signing or vetoing bills passed by the legislature; and executing the laws of the state. The governor can grant reprieves and commutations of punishment and pardons upon the recommendation of the Board of Pardons and Paroles and revoke conditional pardons. He appoints numerous state officials (with the consent of the senate), fills vacancies in state and district offices (except vacancies in the legislature), calls special elections to fill vacancies in the legislature, fills vacancies in the United States Senate until an election can be held and serves as ex officio member of several state boards.

In 2002 there were 198 full time equivalent employees in the Office of the Governor. Nineteen divisions outside of the Executive Office assist the governor in carrying out his functions: Scheduling; Office of the First Lady; Administration; Appointments; Legislative; Communications; Budget, Planning, and Policy; General Counsel; Internal Audit; Constituent Communication; Criminal Justice; Economic Development and Tourist Development; Governor’s Commission for Women; Office of Financial Accountability; Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities; Texas Film Commission; Texas Music Office; Texas Workforce Investment Council; and Office of State-Federal Relations.

(Sources include: Guide to Texas State Agencies, 11th edition (2001); Office of the Governor, accessed on June 3, 2015; the contents of the records; and the Texas Governor’s Office website during Governor Perry’s term, accessed via the Internet Archive Wayback Machine on June 3, 2015.)


Organization

In 2014 there were 277.4 full-time equivalent employees in the Office of the Governor. Nineteen divisions outside of the Executive Office assist the governor in carrying out his functions:  (Click on an office to go to that Finding Aid)


Rick Perry Biographical Sketch

Rick Perry served as governor of Texas from December 20, 2000 to January 20, 2015.

James Richard “Rick” Perry was the 47th governor of Texas. He was born on March 4, 1950 in Haskell, Texas to Joseph Ray Perry and Amelia June (Holt) Perry. In 1972, he received a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University in animal science. Perry then served as a pilot with the United States Air Force from 1972 to 1977 and was discharged in 1977 with the rank of captain. Perry was elected to the Texas House of Representatives (District 64) as a Democrat in 1984 and served until 1991. He was named one of the 10 most effective lawmakers by the Dallas Morning News in 1989. In the same year, Perry changed his party allegiance, becoming a Republican. Perry left the House of Representatives to serve two terms as Commissioner of Agriculture, from 1991 to 1999. . .    (Click here to read more of the Biographical Sketch)


Restrictions and Requirements

Restrictions on Access

Materials do not circulate, but may be used in the State Archives search room. Materials will be retrieved from and returned to storage areas by staff members.

Restrictions on Use

Most records created by Texas state agencies are not copyrighted. State records also include materials received by, not created by, state agencies. Copyright remains with the creator. The researcher is responsible for complying with U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17 U.S.C.).

Select photographs and video recordings have separate copyright issues.

Technical Requirements

Electronic records will be available in our search room computer terminals and through our website in November 2015. Contact Archives staff for access.

Researchers are required to wear gloves provided by the State Archives when reviewing photographic materials.

To view VHS videotapes, listen to audiocassette tapes, or review electronic media on CDs and DVDs please contact Archives staff for appropriate hardware/software.

Researchers wishing to view Betacam videotapes should consult with Archives staff and be aware that the Archives may not own the equipment needed to access these videotapes.


Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item and cite the series), Texas Governor Rick Perry Press Office media files. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Accession Information

Accession numbers: 2015/067, 2015/117

Paper records were transferred to the Archives and Information Services Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the Office of the Governor on December 19, 2014 thru March 2015. Electronic records were transferred to the Archives and Information Services Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the Office of the Governor on January 29, 2015.

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