The  Virginia  _Constitution__  

establishes  

Which  distribute  power  among

 

Legisla:ve         Execu:ve   Judicial  

GO #12 State Government

 

 

The  _government  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Virginia_  

 

          The Virginia Legislative branch is known as the _General Assembly_ It is a __bicameral_ legislature that consists of the _Senate_ and _House of Delegates_. It meets annually for a fixed number of days. The elected officials write laws and take action in response to _problems or issues_.              

 

The Law Making Process in the Virginia General Assembly

 

Working  in  committees  

Debating  the  bill  on  the  floor  of  each  house  

Voting  on  the  bill  in  each  house  

Sending  the  bill  to  the  governor  to  sign  into  law  

_Individuals_and _Interest groups___ help shape legislation.

Primary issues in the legislative process at the state level. • Education: To promote an informed and engaged _citizenry_ (i.e., establish minimum

standards for _local schools_. • Public Health: To promote and protect the _health_ of its citizens (i.e., fund health

benefits) • Environment: To protect __natural resources__ (i.e., improve water quality in the

Chesapeake Bay) • State Budget: To approve a biennial (_two year_) budget prepared by the

_Governor_. • Revenue: To _levy_ and ___collect taxes____.

Intro-­‐ducing  a  bill  

The Judicial Branch is exercised by a court system that consists of four levels of courts

 • Supreme Court

• Court of Appeals

• Circuit Court

• District courts (including small claims courts and juvenile and domestic relations court

The executive power is exercised by the _Governor_. who is elected for a _four year_ term of office. The governor appoints members of the cabinet, who oversee specific functions of government. The _lieutenant_ governor and the __attorney general__ are executive branch officers who are elected for a _four year_ term of office. These powers exercised by the governor are granted by the _Virginia Constitution_.

• administer laws

• enforce laws

• regulate aspects of business and the economy

• provide services

Cabinet secretaries and departments, agencies, commissions, and regulatory boards.

• chief of state

• chief legislator

• chief administrator

• party chief

• commander-in-chief

In carrying out the formal and informal powers of the office, the governor fills several roles, including