DOTs are placed under the authority of the lead executive in each jurisdiction. In the states, governors therefore play a significant role in transportation governance and oversight. Governors typically prepare state budgets; can initiate, approve or veto legislative initiatives; can create some programs or initiatives without legislative approval; often (but not always) appoint and can remove the leadership of state executive agencies, including DOTs; and ordinarily have direct authority and oversight over these agencies.
The practical division of active roles and responsibilities between the governor and the DOT, however, varies across states. In some states-including Michigan and Oklahoma-governors have chosen to delegate much of the responsibility to the DOTs. In others, the governor's office is more actively involved in transportation policy and budgeting. In North Carolina, the governor recently enacted DOT reforms through an executive order (Executive Order No. 2, 2009); in some states, such as Oregon and Pennsylvania, the governor employs a liaison who maintains active communication with the DOT on transportation issues. In Nevada, the governor acts as an ex officio member of the board of directors that oversees the DOT.