"Florida is unique among the 50 states in America. It is the only state that has a Governor plus a Cabinet consisting of six independently and constitutionally elected state executives. The Governor is the popularly elected "chief executive" of Florida but the six members of the Cabinet are also elected by the people and serve as a collective decision and rule making body for the state. Each Cabinet member serves a four year term (with a two-term limit) and is wholly responsible for the administration of at least one state department. The Governor is responsible for the administration of 12 other state departments. What must be emphasized here is that this is not the Governor's Cabinet. Cabinet members have legislative independence. The Governor is not a member of the cabinet, though he serves as Chairman on the various boards on which he sits with members of the cabinet. The relative independence of the 6 cabinet positions has often been problematic for the Governor, and several Governors have attempted to abolish it altogether. In 1998, Governor Bush was successful in reducing the number of positions. Beginning 2003, the Cabinet will consist of only 3 members: The Attorney General, a Chief Financial Officer, and a Commissioner of Agriculture. (the current Comptroller and Treasurer positions are being combined into a Chief Financial Officer, and Secretary of State, and Commissioner of Education positions are being abolished). This consolidation from 6 Cabinet members
to 3 makes these positions even more important to the system of checks and
balances Floridians have historically wanted in their government. News Clips(news clips have not been kept updated - check archives) info: email info@whoseflorida.com
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