Virginia State Gov’t

1. Virginia State Gov’t

2. Virginia State Government A. What are the purposes of the Virginia state government? • promote public health, safety, and welfare • administer federal programs • provide services for citizens • organize local governments • protect basic rights

3. B. How is power divided between state and federal governments? • reserved powers (given only to the states) • expressed powers (given only to Congress) • concurrent powers (shared between the states and Congress) • The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the land, and outranks all state laws • federal mandates (or orders) cannot be ignored by the states Concurrent Powers

4. II. The State Legislative Branch A. What is the structure of the legislative branch of Virginia government? • bicameral legislature • Virginia General Assembly - House of Delegates (100 members) - Senate (40 members) • meets annually for a fixed number of days

5. B. What are the responsibilities of the legislative branch in Virginia government? • makes laws for Virginia • approves biennial (two year) budget • education – to promote an informed and engaged citizenry • public health – promote and protect health of citizens • environment – protect natural resources • levying and collecting taxes

6. C. What are the major steps in the legislative process in Virginia? • proposing a bill • working in committees • debating on floor • voting on a bill by both houses • signing the bill into law by the governor • state laws must conform to Virginia and United States constitutions • elected officials write laws and take action in response to problems or issues • individuals and interest groups help to shape new laws

7. D. What is the process used to amend the Constitution of Virginia? • proposal - action by General Assembly or convention • ratification - by voters of Virginia

8. III. The State Executive Branch A. Who are the elected officials in the executive branch in Virginia government? • Governor - 4 year term of office • Lieutenant Governor - 4 year term of office • Attorney General – • 4 year term of office Governor Bob McDonnell Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli

9. B. What are the roles and responsibilities of the governor of Virginia? • formal powers granted by the Virginia Constitution • responsibilities - prepares biennial budget for General Assembly - appoints cabinet officials and boards - grants pardons - approves or vetoes legislation • informal roles - Chief of State - Chief Legislator - Chief Administrator - Party Chief - Commander in Chief

10. C. What are the responsibilities of Virginia’s executive departments and agencies? • cabinet secretaries (12 in all) • departments (like Public Safety, Education, and Technology) • agencies (ex. Alcohol Beverage Control and Department of Corrections) • commissions (ex. Commission for the Arts and the Virginia Employment Commission) • regulatory boards (ex. Division of Motor Vehicles and State Board of Elections) • responsibilities - administer laws - enforce laws - regulate aspects of business and the economy - provide services

11. IV. The State Judicial Branch A. How is the Virginia court system organized? • Virginia Supreme Court • Court of Appeals of Virginia • Circuit courts • General district courts and juvenile and domestic relations courts

12. B. What are the responsibilities of the Virginia court system? • dual court system (civil and criminal) • appellate and original jurisdiction • try criminal cases, misdemeanor and felony • try civil cases • judicial review

13. Taxes and the state How does Virginia’s government raise money to provide public goods and services? • sales tax • corporate income tax • individual income tax • gasoline tax • car registration and title fees

14. VI. Civic Participation How can citizens participate in state and local government? • participating in politics - voting - campaigning • expressing opinions - lobbying - demonstrating - writing letters - joining interest groups