The power of the governor to sack executive officials has long been a contentious political issue.

However, the assembly can curtail and constrain a governor's authority to sack commissioners of independent regulatory agencies and certain inferior executive officers by statute.

Securing house approval can provide a major obstacle for governors who wish to orient the state judiciary toward a particular ideological stance.

Governors may also grant pardons and reprieves, as is often done just before the end of a governorship term, not without controversy.

[6] The Constitution's Ineligibility Clause prevents the governor (and all other executive officers) from simultaneously being a member of the state house of assembly.

The governor can further influence the legislative branch through constitutionally mandated, periodic reports to the house.