A veteran Wisconsin Assemblyman said some years ago in discussing Wisconsin governors, "a good governor can do some good and a bad governor can't do much harm." This remark was a fairly accurate appraisal of the character · of legislative-executive relationships in Wisconsin state government. Any scholarly discussion about the powers and duties of the chief executive in this state involves a careful examination of his legislative role. Indeed, any historical review of a governor's administration requires an appraisal of his leadership in legislative activity.
The American public and particularly Wisconsin residents, in my opinion, are currently witnessing highly active national and state executive leadership in legislative affairs. This, of course, has not been and is not always the case. In any event, the picture of an American state governor as· an active participant in legislative-executive activity is one worthy of investigation. The legal and extra-legal powers he has at his disposal to bring about stated legislative objectives. are the subject of this article.