STATE LEGISLATIVE PROFESSIONALISM AND GUBERNATORIAL EFFECTIVENESS, 1978-1991

This is the first systematic study to explore the determinants of gube rnatorial effectiveness from a contemporary, comparative state perspec tive. Factor analysis is employed to devise valid and reliable index-b ased measures of gubernatorial powers, enabling resources, and state l egislative professionalism Next, using data from all 50 states for the biennial periods from 1978 to 1991, we test a multivariate probabilis tic model of determining whether a most effective governor is currentl y in office. The logistic regression results indicate that gubernatori al effectiveness in office is associated with the presence of a highly professionalized state legislature, relatively high state economic gr owth, and joint increases in gubernatorial institutional powers and en abling resources. This suggests that both institutional and environmen tal considerations influence gubernatorial effectiveness in office and that the power relationship between the governor and the state legisl ature is not necessarily a zero-sum game, with one institution gaining influence at the expense of the other.