Executive Branch
The Office of Governor
Three official requirements:
30 years of age
VA
resident for at least 5 years
American citizen
Unofficial requirements for governor
been involved in politics
career in law or business
all of VA’s governors have been men
A governor’s term is for four years.
In VA you cannot serve back to back terms.
The second highest official in VA is the Lieutenant
Governor
u(He is like the VP of our state.)
uHe must meet the same requirements as the governor.
uHe is the Head of the
Senate.
uHe takes over if something happens to the governor.
Governor’s Responsibilities
•
Carries out VA’s laws
•
Prepares budget
u
(Gen. Assembly must approve it)
•
Vetoes Bills
•
Proposes laws
•
Grants Pardons
•
Appoints cabinet members
•
Administers bureaucracy
The Governor’s Helpers
uThe Governor has a cabinet that advises him on important matters concerning the state.
uHeads of departments
uDept. of Justice
uDept. of Education
uDept. of Labor
uDept. of Health
uDept. of Highways
uDept. of Welfare
uDept. of Agriculture
The Leaders of your state are
uVA Governor- Mark Warner
uVA Lieutenant Governor-Tim Kaine
Virginia’s Judicial Branch
u
Created by the VA State Constitution and
state laws
u
They have the power of judicial review over
state laws
•
(a law or act must agree with the state
constitution)
Highest State Courts
VA Supreme Court
u This court handles original and appellate jurisdiction cases
u Number of judges-7
u Term on bench-12 years
VA State Court of Appeals
u This is an appellate court only.
u Number of judges-11
u Term-8 years
u
Circuit Courts try major civil and criminal
cases (felonies, major lawsuits)
VA State Judges
u
They do the same thing as federal
judges
u
They are appointed by the Governor and
then approved by the state legislature
(General Assembly)
Who decides how many courtrooms we need?
u The General Assembly (VA Senate and the VA House of Delegates) make that decision