What unique power do governors have that the President does not?

Study for the AP Government and Politics Federalism Test. Analyze questions with hints and explanations. Ace your exam with our resources!

Governors possess the unique authority to use a line-item veto, which allows them to veto specific provisions within a bill while approving the rest of the legislation. This power is particularly significant in state governance as it enables governors to manage the budget more effectively by cutting out unnecessary expenditures without rejecting the entire budget proposal.

The line-item veto is not granted to the President of the United States under current law; the President must either sign or veto an entire bill. This distinction highlights a key difference in the executive powers at the state and federal levels, with the line-item veto providing governors with a distinctive tool to exert more control over state legislative decisions.

In contrast, the powers to declare war, appoint ambassadors, or create treaties are reserved for the federal government and the President, reflecting the national scope of these responsibilities. Thus, the ability to use a line-item veto is a defining feature of a governor's powers that is not shared with the President.

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