The Virginia Constitution and State Government

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2 The Virginia Constitution and State Government Constitution of Virginia Judicial Executive Legislative The Constitution of Virginia gives the design plan for the government of the Commonwealth of Virginia. It sets up the familiar separation of the powers of government into three branches. The General Assembly is the elected body that makes laws for Virginia. The Governor of Virginia is the Chief Executive of the state government. Virginia has its own state court system and a state Supreme Court.

3 The Virginia Constitution is over 40 pages long, and was adopted in It is the 6 th version since the original was written in 1776! The Constitution of Virginia is longer than the U.S. Constitution because it goes into much more detail on the operations and rules of the state level of government. For example, it describes how the General Assembly is to be a bicameral (2 houses) legislature. These houses are called the House of Delegates and the Virginia Senate. They meet for a specified number of days each year. The document describes how Virginia's governor is to be elected to a four year term. The governor appoints members of his/her Cabinet to oversee specific functions of the state government. The pages also list the responsibilities of the lieutenant governor and the attorney general, who are also in the executive branch and serve 4 year terms. Then there are the courts, all described in detail, ranging from the lower courts up to the Virginia Supreme Court. The very first section of the Constitution of Virginia contains the words of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, written by George Mason back in 1776! Any change made to the Constitution of Virginia must be approved by the voters of Virginia. Four Levels of Virginia s Courts Supreme Court Court of Appeals Circuit Courts District Courts (including Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts and Small Claims Courts.)

4 Federalism: A Division of Responsibilities Federalism is the term for the division of power between the national level of government and the states. In this federal form of government, the national government is supreme. The U.S. Constitution gives certain powers to the national (also called the federal) level of government. The ones that are specifically listed in the document are called expressed powers. Powers that are not given to the national level of government by the U.S. Constitution are reserved to the states. They are called reserved powers. National Powers: Conduct foreign policy Regulate commerce Provide for the common defense State Powers: Promote public health, safety, and welfare welfare = well-being of the citizens The U.S. Constitution denies some powers to both the national and the state governments. For example, neither level of government can pass laws that take away the right to a fair trial, or restrict freedom of religion.

5 I need a couple of volunteers to read the paragraphs on in the workbook!

6 Making Laws: The Virginia General Assembly Elected officials in the Virginia General Assembly make the state s laws. It is the legislative branch of the state government. The General Assembly meets in Richmond, Virginia for a specified number of days each year. The House of Delegates 100 members Elected from 100 House districts Serve 2 year terms The Senate 40 members Elected from 40 Senate districts Serve 4 year terms Delegates and State Senators stay in close contact with the people in the district they represent, often using technology such as the Internet. Members of the General Assembly write laws and take action mainly in response to problems or issues. Citizens and interest groups often help shape legislation (laws) that are considered by the General Assembly.

7 improving public schools, colleges, and universities. the state. funding for medical programs across protecting natural resources like the Chesapeake Bay. year) budget. necessary! system. approving the state s biennial (2 never popular, but improvements to the state s highway

8 Proposed laws (called bills) go through a process that is similar to the process used at the national level in Congress. Here are the main steps: 1. A new bill is proposed and introduced. 2. A committee works on the bill. (Most bills never get past the committee stage!) 3. Debating the bill on the floor of each house. 4. Voting on the bill in each house. 5. Sending the bill to the Governor to sign into law.

9 The Governor of Virginia is the state s Chief Executive, as head of the executive branch of the state government. Chief Administrator Overall manager of Virginia s government Chief of State Ceremonial head of the state government Chief of Party Leader of his/her political party in Virginia Chief Legislator Proposes laws for the General Assembly to consider Commander-in-Chief Head of the armed forces in Virginia (includes the VA National Guard and Virginia Defense Force)

10 The State Bureaucracy The Governor does not work alone! Cabinet secretaries, for example are important advisors to the governor. They help administer (manage) state agencies that deal with schools, colleges, public safety, highways, health care, farm land, and many other topics. There are also many commissions and regulatory boards that deal with various specific issues, such as the Board of Dentistry and the Latino Advisory Board. In the big picture, the Cabinet secretaries, departments, agencies, commissions, and regulatory boards: Administer state laws. Enforce state laws. Regulate businesses and trade within state borders. Provide state services such as highways, schools, parks, and much more!

11 The State Bureaucracy The Governor does not work alone! Cabinet secretaries, for example are important advisors to the governor. They help administer (manage) state agencies that deal with schools, colleges, public safety, highways, health care, farm land, and many other topics. There are also many commissions and regulatory boards that deal with various specific issues, such as the Board of Dentistry and the Latino Advisory Board. In the big picture, the Cabinet secretaries, departments, agencies, commissions, and regulatory boards: Administer state laws. Enforce state laws. Regulate businesses and trade within state borders. Provide state services such as highways, schools, parks, and much more!

12 The State Bureaucracy The Governor does not work alone! Cabinet secretaries, for example are important advisors to the governor. They help administer (manage) state agencies that deal with schools, colleges, public safety, highways, health care, farm land, and many other topics. There are also many commissions and regulatory boards that deal with various specific issues, such as the Board of Dentistry and the Latino Advisory Board. In the big picture, the Cabinet secretaries, departments, agencies, commissions, and regulatory boards: Administer state laws. Enforce state laws. Regulate businesses and trade within state borders. Provide state services such as highways, schools, parks, and much more!

13 The State Bureaucracy The Governor does not work alone! Cabinet secretaries, for example are important advisors to the governor. They help administer (manage) state agencies that deal with schools, colleges, public safety, highways, health care, farm land, and many other topics. There are also many commissions and regulatory boards that deal with various specific issues, such as the Board of Dentistry and the Latino Advisory Board. In the big picture, the Cabinet secretaries, departments, agencies, commissions, and regulatory boards: Administer state laws. Enforce state laws. Regulate businesses and trade within state borders. Provide state services such as highways, schools, parks, and much more!

14 The State Bureaucracy The Governor does not work alone! Cabinet secretaries, for example are important advisors to the governor. They help administer (manage) state agencies that deal with schools, colleges, public safety, highways, health care, farm land, and many other topics. There are also many commissions and regulatory boards that deal with various specific issues, such as the Board of Dentistry and the Latino Advisory Board. In the big picture, the Cabinet secretaries, departments, agencies, commissions, and regulatory boards: Administer state laws. Enforce state laws. Regulate businesses and trade within state borders. Provide state services such as highways, schools, parks, and much more!

15 The State Bureaucracy The Governor does not work alone! Cabinet secretaries, for example are important advisors to the governor. They help administer (manage) state agencies that deal with schools, colleges, public safety, highways, health care, farm land, and many other topics. There are also many commissions and regulatory boards that deal with various specific issues, such as the Board of Dentistry and the Latino Advisory Board. In the big picture, the Cabinet secretaries, departments, agencies, commissions, and regulatory boards: Administer state laws. Enforce state laws. Regulate businesses and trade within state borders. Provide state services such as highways, schools, parks, and much more!

16 The State Bureaucracy The Governor does not work alone! Cabinet secretaries, for example are important advisors to the governor. They help administer (manage) state agencies that deal with schools, colleges, public safety, highways, health care, farm land, and many other topics. There are also many commissions and regulatory boards that deal with various specific issues, such as the Board of Dentistry and the Latino Advisory Board. In the big picture, the Cabinet secretaries, departments, agencies, commissions, and regulatory boards: Administer state laws. Enforce state laws. Regulate businesses and trade within state borders. Provide state services such as highways, schools, parks, and much more!

17 The State Bureaucracy The Governor does not work alone! Cabinet secretaries, for example are important advisors to the governor. They help administer (manage) state agencies that deal with schools, colleges, public safety, highways, health care, farm land, and many other topics. There are also many commissions and regulatory boards that deal with various specific issues, such as the Board of Dentistry and the Latino Advisory Board. In the big picture, the Cabinet secretaries, departments, agencies, commissions, and regulatory boards: Administer state laws. Enforce state laws. Regulate businesses and trade within state borders. Provide state services such as highways, schools, parks, and much more!

18 The State Bureaucracy The Governor does not work alone! Cabinet secretaries, for example are important advisors to the governor. They help administer (manage) state agencies that deal with schools, colleges, public safety, highways, health care, farm land, and many other topics. There are also many commissions and regulatory boards that deal with various specific issues, such as the Board of Dentistry and the Latino Advisory Board. In the big picture, the Cabinet secretaries, departments, agencies, commissions, and regulatory boards: Administer state laws. Enforce state laws. Regulate businesses and trade within state borders. Provide state services such as highways, schools, parks, and much more!

19 While the governor of Virginia has many important powers, there are limits on what he or she is allowed to do. These limits are set by both the U.S. Constitution and the Constitution of Virginia. Constitution of Virginia The Governor may not run for successive terms.

20 Local governments in Virginia are the cities, the counties, and the towns. They are political subdivisions of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Cities Counties Towns All of the local governments in Virginia were created by the General Assembly. All of the authority or powers of the local governments in Virginia actually come from the state level government. That means the local governments are bound by the Constitution of Virginia, and also by acts (laws) passed by the General Assembly.

21 Powers of Local Governments Enforce state/local laws Promote public health Protect public safety Educate children Protect the environment Regulate land use Not all counties and cities are given exactly the same powers. Each city, for example, is set up by a charter (an official document) from the state government. The city charter spells out the powers granted to that city s government by the state.

22 Judicial Executive Legislative Cities Towns Counties City Council Elected by voters Enacts local ordinances Adopts an annual budget May hire a manager to run city operations Town Council Elected by voters Enacts local ordinances Adopts an annual budget May hire a manager to run town operations Board of Supervisors Elected by voters Enacts local ordinances Adopts an annual budget May hire a manager to run county operations An elected or appointed School Board oversees the K- 12 public schools. Schools are operated by the county in which the town is located. An elected or appointed School Board oversees the K- 12 public schools. Mayor elected by voters or by City Council members Mayor elected by voters or by Town Council members All across Virginia, courts exist to help resolve disputes involving the law, as well as lawsuits involving individuals or businesses. These courts are created and controlled by the state government. The list on the right shows the courts that are typically found in cities, towns, and counties around Virginia. The Board of Supervisors has some executive powers, but often hires a manager to run the day-to-day operations of the county departments. Circuit courts District courts Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts Small Claims Courts

23 The Constitution of Virginia requires that voters in every locality must elect a sheriff, a clerk of the circuit court, a commissioner of revenue, and a treasurer. All of these people are

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25 1. Turn to in the Fasttrack workbook. Copy the chart and the paragraph labeled A few more things... Then file it in your notebook as. 2. When you finish, pick up a copy of the Federal/State/Local Governments worksheet on the blue cart and work on it..

26 Judicial Executive Legislative P. 87 Cities Towns Counties City Council Elected by voters Enacts local ordinances Adopts an annual budget May hire a manager to run city operations An elected or appointed School Board oversees the K- 12 public schools. Town Council Elected by voters Enacts local ordinances Adopts an annual budget May hire a manager to run town operations Schools are operated by the county in which the town is located. Board of Supervisors Elected by voters Enacts local ordinances Adopts an annual budget May hire a manager to run county operations An elected or appointed School Board oversees the K- 12 public schools. Mayor elected by voters or by City Council members Mayor elected by voters or by Town Council members All across Virginia, courts exist to help resolve disputes involving the law, as well as lawsuits involving individuals or businesses. These courts are created and controlled by the state government. The list on the right shows the courts that are typically found in cities, towns, and counties around Virginia. The Board of Supervisors has some executive powers, but often hires a manager to run the day-to-day operations of the county departments. Circuit courts District courts Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts Small Claims Courts

27 The Constitution of Virginia requires that voters in every locality must elect a sheriff, a clerk of the circuit court, a commissioner of revenue, and a treasurer. All of these positions are needed to make sure that localities keep good public order, keep good records of legal cases, and keep track of public taxes and money.