recommendations for the General Assembly, which can disregard the proposals in creating the state budget. The governor also administers grants and loans provided by the federal government to the state. The office has extensive powers of appointment of executive branch officials, some judges, and members of boards and commissions. As of 2023, the governor is responsible for over 2,400 appointments to over 350 boards and commissions. Most executive appointments are not subject to legislative consent and many appointees serve at the pleasure of the governor. Some appointments to major state boards, including the State Board of Education and the North Carolina Utilities Commission, require confirmation from either one or both houses of the General Assembly. Cabinet secretaries are subject to confirmation from the State Senate. The governor is empowered to appoint interim officials to any vacant Council of State offices aside from the Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina without legislative assent pending the next state legislative election. They also may fill vacant judicial offices unless otherwise directed by law. Some appointments to state boards are reserved for other state officials, and the governor's ability to remove officials has been limited by courts. The constitution also allows the governor to devolve some responsibilities upon the lieutenant governor. Legislative authority and responsibilities The governor is constitutionally obligated to "give the General Assembly information of the affairs of the State and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall deem expedient". Governors traditionally fulfill this requirement with a "State of the State" speech delivered during the legislature's opening session, though they can also communicate this information through separate special messages. They are empowered to veto bills of the General Assembly. A veto can be overridden by a three-fifths majority vote of the assembly. The governor may call the General Assembly into extraordinary session after consulting the Council of State and is required to convene the assembly in specific circumstances to review vetoed legislation. Other duties The governor is one of 10 constitutionally-designated members of the Council of State, a collection of elected state executives, and chairs its meetings. The body has minimal constitutional duties, with its most significant responsibilities arising from statute, including approving the governor's acquisitions and disposals of state property. The governor is tasked by the constitution with keeping the Great Seal of the State North Carolina. The constitution empowers the governor to permit the state or a local government