GUBERNATORIAL NOMINATIONS

The Senate's power to confirm or reject most of the Governor's nominations to offices in the executive and judicial branches provides one of the chief arenas for political maneuvering between the legislature and the Governor. Adherence to the long-standing tradition of "senatorial courtesy" gives senators from a nominee's home county the veto power over that nomination. Nominations are sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee, making a position on that committee a source of power for a senator in dealing with the Governor or other senators. (Appointment to that committee is on a seniority basis, and the majority leader serves as chairman.) Another senatorial courtesy is the automatic confirmation of the nomination of a former state senator to an office, whether or not he belongs to the majority party. The Senate may go into executive (closed-door) session to consider nominations.