Virginia State Gov’t

I. 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

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

Expressed Powers

Reserved Powers

Concurrent Powers

II. The State Legislative BranchA. 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

• 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

B. What are the responsibilities of the legislative branch in Virginia government?  

• 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

C. What are the major steps in the legislative process in Virginia?

• proposal - action by General Assembly or convention

• ratification - by voters of Virginia

D. What is the process used to amend the Constitution of Virginia?

• Governor - 4 year term of office

• Lieutenant Governor - 4 year term of office

• Attorney General – 4 year term of office

III. The State Executive Branch A. Who are the elected officials in the

executive branch in Virginia government?

Governor Bob McDonnell

Lieutenant Governor

Bill Bolling

Attorney General

Ken Cuccinelli

• 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

B. What are the roles and responsibilities of the governor of Virginia?

• 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

C. What are the responsibilities of Virginia’s executive departments and agencies?

• Virginia Supreme Court

• Court of Appeals of Virginia

• Circuit courts• General district

courts and juvenile and domestic relations courts

IV. The State Judicial BranchA. How is the Virginia court system organized?

• dual court system (civil and criminal)

• appellate and original jurisdiction

• try criminal cases, misdemeanor and felony

• try civil cases • judicial review

B. What are the responsibilities of the Virginia court system?

• sales tax • corporate income tax • individual income tax • gasoline tax • car registration and

title fees

V. Taxes and the stateHow does Virginia’s government raise money to provide public goods and services?  

• participating in politics - voting - campaigning

• expressing opinions - lobbying - demonstrating - writing letters - joining interest groups

VI. Civic ParticipationHow can citizens participate in state

and local government?