RG 002. Office of the Governor

The chief executive power of this state is vested in the Governor. The Governor has the constitutional responsibility and authority to ensure that the laws of RI are faithfully executed. As chief executive, the Governor is responsible for public health, environmental management, human services, business regulation, workforce development and training, transportation, homeland security, emergency management, and law enforcement. The Governor also serves as captain general and commander in chief of the military and naval forces of Rhode Island. The Rhode Island Constitution authorizes and requires the Governor to prepare and present to the General Assembly an annual consolidated operating and capital improvement state budget. The Governor also has broad constitutional appointment power for judges, state officers and members of executive boards and commission. Additionally, the Governor can exercise legislative veto and general pardon authority. The Governor also serves as Chair of the Board of the Economic Development Corporation. Related Materials Located at other Institutions University of Rhode Island Rhode Island Political Papers: The University of Rhode Island Library preserves many of the records of Rhode Island's political leaders. Special Collections currently holds the papers of six governors, three United States Representatives, one Rhode Island Representative, and two United States Senators. These records occupy approximately four thousand linear feet. Many of the collections are being processed, as staff and time permit, and are presently unavailable for research; unprocessed collections are available by special permission only. The following papers, however, are processed and may be used by qualified researchers. The papers are listed in alphabetical order by last name of the politician: Lincoln Almond, Governor of Rhode Island, Mss.Gr. #162; 1994-2002, 315 linear feet The political papers of Gov. Almond are unprocessed. However an informational website has been developed for public use until such time as the papers become open for research. John H. Chafee, Governor of Rhode Island, United States Secretary of the Navy, Mss.Gr. #114; 1962-1976; 126.25 linear feet The Senatorial Papers of John H. Chafee, Mss.Gr. #115; 1976-1999; 1,088 linear feet David W. Dumas, Rhode Island Representative, Mss.Gr. #151; 1983-1994; 3 linear feet Frank Licht, Governor of Rhode Island Mss.Gr. #127; 1959-1973; 231.5 linear feet Richard Licht, Political Campaigns: U.S. Senate, Mss.Gr.#163; 1988-2000; 5.5 linear feet Senator Claiborne Pell Papers Mss.Gr.#71; 1960–1996; 2500 linear feet Claudine Schneider, United States Representative, Mss.Gr. #89; 1975–1990; 43.5 linear feet Bruce Sundlun, Governor of Rhode Island, Mss.Gr. #120; 1990-1995, 113.5 linear feet Sundlun Campaign Files, Mss.Gr.# 120A; 1984-1994; 18 linear feet William Vanderbilt, Governor of Rhode Island, Mss.Gr. #60; 1936–1941; 17.5 linear feet Providence College Special Collections: Robert E. Quinn papers and Oral Histories Dennis J. Roberts papers John O. Pastore papers Edward J. Higgins papers J. Howard McGrath papers Brown University: Theodore Francis Green Papers, [ca. 1907-1938] Rhode Island Historical Society William Greene (1731-1809) Papers Ambrose E. Burnside Collection Nicholas Cooke Papers Francis Family Papers Stephen Hopkins Collection Wetmore-Sherman Family Papers Christopher Delsesto Papeps