Governor’s Powers

The governor of New York holds broad authority under the state constitution and Executive Law, serving as the chief executive responsible for enforcing state laws. Article IV, Section 3 grants the governor the power to propose legislation, approve or veto bills, and convene special legislative sessions. The veto power includes a line-item veto for budget appropriations, allowing the governor to eliminate specific expenditures without rejecting an entire bill. Overriding a veto requires a two-thirds majority in both legislative chambers, making gubernatorial decisions difficult to overturn without strong legislative opposition.

The governor also controls the state’s budgetary process under Article VII, submitting an annual executive budget that outlines expenditures and revenue sources. The Court of Appeals, in Silver v. Pataki (2004), upheld the governor’s dominant role in budget negotiations, reinforcing executive influence over financial policy. This control extends to discretionary funds allocated for economic development, infrastructure, and other initiatives without legislative approval.