Alabama Executive BranchAL Executive Branch

The government of Alabama is organized under the provisions of the 1901 Constitution of Alabama, the lengthiest constitution of any political entity in the world.  Like other states within the United States, Alabama’s government is divided into executive, judicial, and legislative branches.

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Summary

The government of Alabama is organized under the provisions of the 1901 Constitution of Alabama, the lengthiest constitution of any political entity in the world.  Like other states within the United States, Alabama’s government is divided into executive, judicial, and legislative branches.

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Wikipedia


The government of Alabama is organized under the provisions of the 2022 Constitution of Alabama.[1] Like other states within the United States, Alabama’s government is divided into executive, judicial, and legislative branches. Also like any other state, these three branches serve a specific purpose in terms of power.

Executive branch

The Alabama Executive branch consists of the Governor of Alabama, the Lieutenant Governor of Alabama, the Governor’s Cabinet, several popularly elected executive officials, and the executive staff. The Cabinet consists of the heads of 25 different departments ranging from the Chief of Staff

to the head of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Elected Executive Officials in Alabama

Governor

Main article: Governor of Alabama

The Governor is the chief executive of the state’s government. The governor is responsible for upholding the Alabama Constitution and executing state law. The governor is elected by popular election every four years. The constitution limits the governor to two consecutive terms, but there is no limit on the total number of terms one may serve, so long as no more than two are ever consecutive. George Wallace holds the record as the longest-serving governor in Alabama history with 16 years of service.

The governor also is commander-in-chief of the state’s military forces, which consist of the Alabama Army National Guard and Alabama Air National Guard, which are part of the National Guard of the United States. As commander-in-chief, the governor may call out the state’s military forces to preserve the public peace when it is not in active service of the United States. The governor may also call upon them to render aid during natural disasters or other times when the governor may deem their services to be required.

The governor of Alabama has power to veto laws passed by the state legislature (see below). However, in contrast to the practice in most states (and the federal government) that requires the legislature to garner a two-thirds majority to override an executive veto, the Alabama constitution requires only a majority within both legislative houses to accomplish this. The governor also possesses the power to pardon convicted criminals, except in cases of impeachment.

At least once every legislative session, the governor is required to deliver an address to the Alabama Legislature, referred to as the “State of the State address.” This address encompasses the condition and operation of the state government, and may also suggest new legislation for the legislature’s consideration.

The Governor of Alabama is Republican Kay Ivey, who has served since 2017.

Lieutenant governor

Main article: Lieutenant Governor of Alabama

They establish all special and standing committees, appoints all chairpersons and members. The current Lieutenant governor is Will Ainsworth since 2019.

Independent executive officials

Along with the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor, the executive branch is composed of five other popularly elected officials, as well as the Superintendent of Education, who is chosen by the state school board:

All of the independent executive officials serve four-year that run concurrent with that of the Governor, who is currently Kay Ivey.

Cabinet members (as of 2023)

Source:[8]

  • Chief of Staff: Liz Filmore
  • Communications Director: Gina Maiola
  • Director of Policy: Justin Bogie
  • Administrator of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board: Curtis Stewart
  • Superintendent of State Banking Department: Michael E. Hill
  • Secretary of the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education: Dr. Barbara Cooper
  • Secretary of Commerce: Greg Canfield
  • Commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: Chris Blankenship
  • Commissioner of the Department of Corrections: John Q. Hamm
  • Director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs: Kenneth Boswell
  • Director of the Emergency Management Agency: Jeff Smitherman
  • Director of Finance: Bill Poole
  • Commissioner of the Department of Human Resources: Nancy Buckner
  • Commissioner of Insurance: Mark Fowler
  • Director of the Office of Information Technology: Marty Redden
  • Commissioner of the Department of Labor: Fitzgerald Washington
  • Secretary of Law Enforcement: Hal Taylor
  • Commissioner of the Alabama Medicaid Agency: Stephanie Azar
  • Alabama Department of Mental Health: Kim Boswell
  • Adjutant General of the Alabama National Guard: Maj. Gen. Sheryl Gordon
  • Director of Minority Affairs: Stacia Robinson
  • Commissioner of the Department of Revenue: Vernon Barnett
  • Commissioner of the Department of Senior Services: Jean Brown
  • Director of the Department of Transportation: John R. Cooper

Judicial branch

Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of Alabama is composed of a chief justice, Tom Parker, and eight associate justices (Tommy Bryan, William B. Sellers, Michael F. Bolin, Tom Parker, Brad Mendheim, Greg Shaw, James Allan Main, and Alisa Kelli Wise[9]). The Clerk of Court is Julia Jordan Weller[10][9] As the highest state court, the Supreme Court has both judicial and administrative responsibilities. The court is housed in the Heflin-Torbert Judicial Building.

The Supreme Court has authority to review decisions rendered by the other courts of the state. It also has authority to determine certain legal matters over which no other court has jurisdiction, and to issue such orders as may prove necessary to carry out its general superintendence over the court system in Alabama. The Supreme Court of Alabama has exclusive jurisdiction over all appeals where the amount in controversy exceeds $50,000, as well as appeals from the Alabama Public Service Commission.

The chief justice is the administrative head of the state’s judicial system. The Supreme Court may make rules governing administration, practice, and procedure for all Alabama courts. Under this authority, uniform rules of practice and procedure and judicial administration have been adopted to eliminate many of the technicalities which cause delay in the trial courts, and needless reversals in the appellate courts.

Court of the Judiciary

A “Court of the Judiciary” is created under Alabama law, consisting of one judge of an appellate court (other than the Supreme Court), who shall be selected by the Supreme Court and shall serve as Chief Judge of the Court of the Judiciary. In addition, two judges of the circuit court are to be appointed to this body, who shall be selected by the Circuit Judges’ Association; together with one district judge, who shall be selected by the District Judges’ Association. Other members of the Court of the Judiciary are: two members of the state bar, who shall be selected by the governing body of the Alabama State Bar; three persons (as of 2005) who are not lawyers who shall be appointed by the Governor; and one person appointed by the Lieutenant Governor. Members appointed by the Governor and Lieutenant Governor shall be subject to Senate confirmation before serving.

The Court of the Judiciary is convened to hear complaints filed by the Judicial Inquiry Commission. It has authority, after notice and public hearing, to impose one of two penalties:

  • To remove from office, suspend without pay, or censure a judge, or apply such other sanction as may be prescribed by law, for violation of a Canon of Judicial Ethics, misconduct in office, failure to perform his or her duties, or
  • To suspend with or without pay, or to retire a judge who is physically or mentally unable to perform his duties.[11]

Legislative branch

Main article: Alabama Legislature

Like other states within the United States, Alabama has a legislative branch.

House of Representatives

Main article: Alabama House of Representatives

General information

The Alabama House of Representatives is composed of 105 members, all elected from single-member districts of equal population across the state in the same cycle. Each member represents a district of approximately 40,000 people,[12] and is elected to a four-year term. The Speaker of the House is currently Mac McCutcheon, a Republican.[13] The current partisan line-up of the House of Representatives is 72 Republicans and 33 Democrats.

All revenue-raising matters must originate in the Alabama House. A majority of a quorum can pass any bill except a constitutional amendment, which requires a three-fifths vote of all those elected.[citation needed]

Senate

Main article: Alabama Senate

General information

The Alabama Senate is composed of 35 Senators. Each Senator represents a single-member district of approximately 125,000 Alabamians.

Senators must be at least 25 years of age at the time of their election, must be citizens and residents of the state of Alabama for at least 3 years, and reside within their district for at least one year prior to election.[14]

All Senators are elected for four-year terms in the same cycle as the House of Representatives, the Governor, and other statewide constitutional officers.

While the House of Representatives has exclusive power to originate revenue bills, such legislation can be amended and/or substituted by the Senate. Moreover, because the Senate is historically considered to be the “deliberative body”, its rules concerning length of debate are more relaxed than those of the House of Representatives. The Senate also has a history of filibusters that the rules of the lower house do not as easily tolerate.

The Alabama Senate has sole power of Confirmation of certain appointees designated by the Constitution and by statute.

Legislative sessions

Regular sessions

The Legislature convenes in regular annual sessions on the first Tuesday in February, except:

  • In the first year of the four-year term, when the session begins on the first Tuesday in March, and
  • In the last year of a four-year term, when the session begins on the second Tuesday in January.

The length of the regular session is limited to 30 meeting days within a period of 105 calendar days. Generally, two meeting or “legislative” days are held per week, with other days being devoted to committee meetings. The Alabama Constitution provides that no law shall be passed except by a bill, which is a proposed law written out in the proper format. Once approved in accordance with the state constitution, the bill becomes an act.

Special sessions

Special sessions of the Legislature may be called by the Governor, with the Proclamation listing those subjects that the Governor wishes to be considered in that session. These sessions are limited to twelve legislative days within a thirty calendar day span. Whereas in a regular session bills may be enacted on any subject, in a special session, legislation must be enacted only on those subjects which the Governor announces in his proclamation or “call.” Anything not in the “call” requires a two-thirds vote of each house to be enacted.

Constitutional amendments always require a three-fifths vote of the elected Members of each house for passage, whether in regular or special session, and this constitutional provision cannot be abrogated by any governor. Likewise, while a governor’s proclamation may itemize subjects to be considered in a special session, the proclamation cannot dictate that the legislature specifically consider only a bill which mirrors the exact language of a bill offered in a previous session. The legislature may offer and consider any bills it chooses in a special session, subject to the above-stated requirements for passage (depending upon whether the subject of the bill formed part of the governor’s “call”, or whether it is a constitutional amendment).

Lawmaking process

Main article: State legislature (United States) § Lawmaking process

Alabama’s lawmaking process differs somewhat from the other 49 states.

Beginnings

Each bill may only pertain to one subject (which must be clearly stated in the title), “except general appropriation bills, general revenue bills, and bills adopting a code, digest, or revision of statutes”.[15]

Committees

General information

Bills are referred to standing committees by the Lieutenant Governor and the President Pro Tempore in the Senate, and by the Speaker in the House of Representatives.

The Constitution states that each house shall determine the number of committees, and the numbers of committees vary from quadrennial session to session.

Legislative Council

The Alabama legislature has a Legislative Council, which is a permanent or continuing interim committee, composed as follows:

  • From the Senate, the Lieutenant Governor and President Pro-Tempore, the Chairmen of Finance and Taxation, Rules, Judiciary, and Governmental Affairs, and six Senators elected by the Senate;
  • From the House of Representatives, the Speaker and Speaker Pro-Tempore, the Chairmen of Ways and Means, Rules, Judiciary, and Local Government, and six Representatives elected by the House.
  • The majority and minority leaders of each house.

The Legislative Council meets at least once quarterly to consider problems for which legislation may be needed, and to make recommendations for the next legislative session. A number of significant statutes have been placed on the Alabama law books as a result of this council’s activity.

Post-committee

Reports of Committee

Any bill which affects state funding by more than $1,000, and which involves expenditure or collection of revenue, must have a “Fiscal Note”. Fiscal Notes are prepared by the Legislative Fiscal Office and signed by the chairman of the committee reporting the bill. They must contain projected increases or decreases to state revenue in the event that the bill becomes law.

Third reading

Once the bill has been discussed, each member casts his or her vote as their name is called alphabetically. Since the state’s Senate is rather small, voting may be done effectively in that house via manual roll call. An electronic voting machine is utilized in the House of Representatives.

If amendments are adopted, the bill is sent to the Enrolling and Engrossing Department of that house for engrossment. Engrossment is the process of incorporating amendments into the bill before transmittal to the second house.

Conference committees

A conference committee is empaneled to discusses the points of difference between the two houses’ versions of the same bill, and tries to reach an agreement between them so that the identical bill can be passed by both houses.

When a bill has passed both houses in identical form, it is enrolled. The “enrolled” copy is the official bill, which, after it becomes law, is kept by the Secretary of State for reference in the event of any dispute as to its exact language. The bill is then ready for transmittal to the Governor.

Presentation to the governor

The governor may sign legislation, which completes its enactment into law. From this point, the bill becomes an act, and remains the law of the state unless repealed by legislative action, or overturned by a court decision. The governor may veto legislation to express disapproval of the bill. In the event of a veto, the governor returns the bill to the house in which it originated, with a message explaining his objections and suggesting any amendments (if applicable) which might remove those objections. The bill is then reconsidered, and if a simple majority of the members of both houses agrees to the proposed executive amendments, it is returned to the Governor, as revised, for a signature.

On the other hand, a simple majority of the members of each house can choose to approve a vetoed bill precisely as the Legislature originally passed it, in which case it becomes a law over the governor’s veto. This is in contrast to the practice in most states and the federal government, which require a two-thirds majority in both houses to override a governor’s veto.

If the Governor fails to return a bill to the legislative house in which it originated within six days after it was presented (not including Sundays), it becomes a law without their signature. This return can be prevented by recession of the Legislature. In that case the bill must be returned within two days after the legislature reassembles, or it becomes a law without the Governor’s signature.

The bills that reach the Governor less than five days before the end of the session may be approved by him within ten days after adjournment. The bills not approved within that time do not become law. This is known as a “pocket veto”. This is the most conclusive form of veto, for the Legislature (having adjourned) has no chance to reconsider the vetoed measure.

Alabama is one of the states in which the governor has the power to accept or reject any particular item of an appropriation bill without vetoing the entire bill. In this event, only the vetoed item of the appropriation bill is returned to the house of origin for reconsideration by the Legislature. The remainder of the bill becomes law.

Constitutional amendments

Sometimes what the legislature wishes to accomplish cannot be done simply by the passage of a bill, but rather requires amending the Constitution. A bill or joint resolution is accordingly drafted to propose an appropriate amendment to the Constitution. This bill or joint resolution is introduced in the same manner as other bills and resolutions, and follows the course of ordinary bills, except that it must be read at length on three different days in each house. Furthermore, it must be passed in each house by a three-fifths vote of all the members elected, and does not require the approval of the governor. A constitutional amendment passed by the legislature is deposited directly with the Secretary of State. It is then submitted to the voters of the state at an election (the time of which is fixed by the Legislature), held not less than three months after the adjournment of the session in which the amendment was proposed. The governor announces the election by proclamation, and the proposed amendment and notice of the election must be published in every county for four successive weeks before the election. If a majority of those who vote at the election favor the amendment, it becomes a part of the Constitution. The result of the election is announced by proclamation of the governor.

Seals of the government of Alabama

See also

References

  1. ^ Constitution Of Alabama 2022
  2. ^ “Alabama Attorney General – Attorney General Troy King Biography”. www.ago.alabama.gov. Archived from the original on 9 November 2005. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  3. ^ “Office of State Auditor Beth Chapman”. www.auditor.alabama.gov. Archived from the original on 23 September 2006. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  4. ^ “Biography | Alabama Secretary of State”. www.sos.alabama.gov.
  5. ^ “About Young Boozer”. Alabama State Treasury.
  6. ^ “SBOE Member”. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  7. ^ “Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries”. agi.alabama.gov. Archived from the original on 31 January 2011. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  8. ^ “Cabinet Archive”.
  9. ^ a b “Alabama Judicial System Online – Supreme Court”. judicial.alabama.gov. Archived from the original on 18 June 2009. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  10. ^ “Alabama Judicial System”. judicial.alabama.gov. Retrieved 2020-12-11.
  11. ^ Constitution of Alabama of 1901, Amendment 581, §6.18.
  12. ^ Article IV, Section 50 of the Alabama Constitution.
  13. ^ “Speaker, Speaker Pro Tempore, and Clerk of the Alabama House of Representatives”. www.legislature.state.al.us. Archived from the original on 1 December 1998. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  14. ^ Article IV, Section 47 of the Alabama Constitution]
  15. ^ Alabama State Constitution, Article 4, Section 45

External links


source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_Alabama

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Alabama Executive Branch

AL Executive Branch

The government of Alabama is organized under the provisions of the 1901 Constitution of Alabama, the lengthiest constitution of any political entity in the world.  Like other states within the United States, Alabama’s government is divided into executive, judicial, and legislative branches.

Government Website    Wikipedia page  

OnAir Post: AL Executive Branch

Alaska Executive Branch

AK Executive Branch

The government of Alaska in common with state and federal governments of the United States, has three branches of government: the executive, consisting of the Governor of Alaska and the state agencies; the state legislature consisting of two chambers, the House of Representatives and the Senate; and the judiciary consisting of the Supreme court and lower courts.

Alaska has 246 federally recognized tribal governments and one federal Indian (Native American) reservation.

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Arizona Executive Branch

AZ Executive Branch

The government of Arizona is the governmental structure of the state of Arizona as established by the Arizona Constitution. The executive is composed of the Governor, several other statewide elected officials, and the Governor’s cabinet. The Arizona Legislature consists of the House of Representatives and Senate. The judiciary is composed of the Arizona Supreme Court and lower courts. There is also local government, consisting of counties, municipalities and special districts.

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Arkansas Executive Branch

AR Executive Branch

The State government of Arkansas is divided into three branches: executive, legislative and judicial. These consist of the state governor’s office, a bicameral state legislature known as the Arkansas General Assembly, and a state court system. The Arkansas Constitution delineates the structure and function of the state government. Since 1963, Arkansas has had four seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Like all other states, it has two seats in the U.S. Senate.

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California Executive Branch

CA Executive Branch

The government of California is the governmental structure of the U.S. state of California as established by the California Constitution. California uses the separation of powers system to structure its government. It is composed of three branches: the executive, consisting of the Governor of California and the other constitutionally elected and appointed officers and offices; the legislative, consisting of the California State Legislature, which includes the Assembly and the Senate; and the judicial, consisting of the Supreme Court of California and lower courts.

There is also local government, consisting of counties, cities, special districts, and school districts, as well as government entities and offices that operate independently on a constitutional, statutory, or common law basis. The state also allows direct participation of the electorate by initiative, referendum, recall and ratification.

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Colorado Executive Branch

CO Executive Branch

The Government of Colorado is the governmental structure as established by the Constitution of the State of Colorado. It is composed of three branches: the executive branch headed by the Governor, the legislative branch consisting of the General Assembly, and the judicial branch consisting of the Supreme Court and lower courts. The constitution also allows direct participation of the electorate by initiative, referendum, recall and ratification.

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Connecticut Executive Branch

CT Executive Branch

State government in Connecticut has three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.

Voters elect six state officers: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Comptroller, and Attorney General. All have four-year terms. Connecticut voters also elect two U.S. Senators and five U.S. Representatives.

The General Assembly or legislature has a Senate and a House of Representatives. Members of both houses represent districts based strictly on population. Currently, there are 36 state senators and 151 state representatives.

The Judicial Department is composed of the Superior, Appellate, and Supreme courts. Except for probate judges, who are elected by the voters of the town or district they serve, all judges are nominated by the governor and appointed by the General Assembly.

Connecticut has no county government. Below the state level, governing units are either cities or towns.

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Delaware Executive Branch

DE Executive Branch

The executive branch is headed by the Governor of Delaware. The present governor is John Carney (Democrat), who took office January 17, 2017. The lieutenant governor is Bethany Hall-Long. The governor presents a “State of the State” speech to a joint session of the Delaware legislature annually.

Source: Wikipedia

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Florida Executive Branch

FL Executive Branch

The government of Florida is established and operated according to the Constitution of Florida and is composed of three branches of government: the executive branch consisting of the governor of Florida and the other elected and appointed constitutional officers; the legislative branch, the Florida Legislature, consisting of the Senate and House; and the judicial branch consisting of the Supreme Court of Florida and lower courts. The state also allows direct participation of the electorate by initiative, referendum, and ratification.

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Georgia Executive Branch

GA Executive Branch

The state government of Georgia is the U.S. state governmental body established by the Georgia State Constitution. It is a republican form of government with three branches: the legislature, executive, and judiciary. Through a system of separation of powers or “checks and balances”, each of these branches has some authority to act on its own, some authority to regulate the other two branches, and has some of its own authority, in turn, regulated by the other branches. The seat of government for Georgia is located in Atlanta.

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Hawaii Executive Branch

HI Executive Branch

The Government of Hawaii (Hawaiian: Aupuni o Hawaiʻi) is the governmental structure as established by the Constitution of Hawaii, the 50th state to have joined the United States.

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Idaho Executive Branch

ID Executive Branch

The constitution of Idaho provides for three branches of government: the executive, legislative and judicial branches. Idaho has a bicameral legislature, elected from 35 legislative districts, each represented by one senator and two representatives.

Since 1946, statewide elected constitutional officers have been elected to four-year terms. They include: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Idaho state controller (Auditor before 1994), Treasurer, Attorney General, and Superintendent of Public Instruction.

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Illinois Executive Branch

IL Executive Branch

The Government of Illinois, under Illinois’ Constitution, has three branches of government: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial. The State’s executive branch is split into several statewide elected offices, with the Governor as chief executive and head of state, and has numerous departments, agencies, boards and commissions. Legislative functions are granted to the General Assembly, a bicameral body consisting of the 118-member House of Representatives and the 59-member Senate. The judiciary is composed of the Supreme Court of Illinois and lower courts.

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Indiana Executive Branch

IN Executive Branch

The government of Indiana is established and regulated by the Constitution of Indiana. The state-level government consists of three branches: the judicial branch, the legislative branch, and the executive branch. The three branches share power and jointly govern the state of Indiana. County and local governments are also constitutional bodies with limited authority to levy taxes, pass legislation, and create and maintain local public infrastructure.

The government of Indiana was first formed in December 1816 and replaced the government of the Indiana Territory. The early government came under criticism beginning as early as the 1820s for having many public offices filled by appointment and lack of delegation of authority to lower officials, requiring state level legislation for things like divorce approval. In 1851 a new constitution was adopted by the state, remedying many of these problems and opening many more office to public election. Significant government reforms were enacted again in 1971 when the state courts were reorganized and new powers were granted to the governor which had historically been a weak institution.

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Iowa Executive Branch

IA Executive Branch

As of 2018, the 43rd and current Governor of Iowa is Kim Reynolds (R). Other statewide elected officials are:

The Code of Iowa contains Iowa’s statutory laws. It is periodically updated by the Iowa Legislative Service Bureau, with a new edition published in odd-numbered years and a supplement published in even-numbered years.

Iowa is an alcohol monopoly or alcoholic beverage control state.

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Kansas Executive Branch

KS Executive Branch

The government of the U.S. state of Kansas, established by the Kansas Constitution, is a republican democracy modeled after the Federal Government of the United States. The state government has three branches: the executive, the legislative, and the judicial. Through a system of separation of powers, or “checks and balances,” each of these branches has some authority to act on its own, and also some authority to regulate the other two branches, so that all three branches can limit and balance the others’ authority.

The state government is based in Topeka, Kansas.

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Kentucky Executive Branch

KY Executive Branch

Kentucky is one of four U.S. states to officially use the term commonwealth. The term was used for Kentucky as it had also been used by Virginia, from which Kentucky was created. The term has no particular significance in its meaning and was chosen to emphasize the distinction from the status of royal colonies as a place governed for the general welfare of the populace. Kentucky was originally styled as the “State of Kentucky” in the act admitting it to the union since that is how it was referred to in Kentucky’s first constitution.

Kentucky is one of only five states that elect their state officials in odd-numbered years (the others being Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Virginia). Kentucky holds elections for these offices every four years in the years preceding Presidential election years. Thus, Kentucky held gubernatorial elections in 2011, 2015 and 2019.

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Louisiana Executive Branch

LA Executive Branch

In 1849, the state moved the capital from New Orleans to Baton Rouge. Donaldsonville, Opelousas, and Shreveport have briefly served as the seat of Louisiana state government. The Louisiana State Capitol and the Louisiana Governor’s Mansion are both located in Baton Rouge. The Louisiana Supreme Court, however, did not move to Baton Rouge but remains headquartered in New Orleans.

The current Louisiana governor is Democrat John Bel Edwards. The current United States senators are Republicans John Neely Kennedy and Bill Cassidy. Louisiana has six congressional districts and is represented in the U.S. House of Representatives by five Republicans and one Democrat. Louisiana had eight votes in the Electoral College for the 2020 election.

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Maine Executive Branch

ME Executive Branch

The Maine Constitution structures Maine’s state government, composed of three co-equal branches—the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The state of Maine also has three Constitutional Officers (the Secretary of State, the State Treasurer, and the State Attorney General) and one Statutory Officer (the State Auditor).

The legislative branch is the Maine Legislature, a bicameral body composed of the Maine House of Representatives, with 151 members, and the Maine Senate, with 35 members. The Legislature is charged with introducing and passing laws.

The executive branch is responsible for the execution of the laws created by the Legislature and is headed by the Governor of Maine (currently Janet Mills). The Governor is elected every four years; no individual may serve more than two consecutive terms in this office. The current attorney general of Maine is Aaron Frey. As with other state legislatures, the Maine Legislature can by a two-thirds majority vote from both the House and Senate override a gubernatorial veto. Maine is one of seven states that do not have a lieutenant governor.

The judicial branch is responsible for interpreting state laws. The highest court of the state is the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. The lower courts are the District Court, Superior Court and Probate Court. All judges except for probate judges serve full-time, are nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Legislature for terms of seven years. Probate judges serve part-time and are elected by the voters of each county for four-year terms.

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MD Executive Branch

MD Executive Branch

The government of Maryland is conducted according to the Maryland Constitution. The United States is a federation; consequently, the government of Maryland, like the other 49 state governments, has exclusive authority over matters that lie entirely within the state’s borders, except as limited by the Constitution of the United States.

Administrative influence in Maryland is divided among three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial. Unlike most other states,[1] significant autonomy is granted to many of Maryland’s counties.[2]

Most of the business of government is done in Annapolis, the state capital. Virtually all state and county elections are held in even-numbered years not divisible by four, in which the President of the United States is not elected—this, as in other states, is intended to divide state and federal politics.

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Massachusetts Executive Branch

MA Executive Branch

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is governed by a set of political tenets laid down in its state constitution. Legislative power is held by the bicameral General Court, which is composed of the Senate and House of Representatives. The governor exercises executive power with other independently elected officers: the Attorney General, Secretary of the Commonwealth, and Auditor. The state’s judicial power rests in the Supreme Judicial Court, which manages its court system. Cities and towns act through local governmental bodies to the extent that they are authorized by the Commonwealth on local issues, including limited home-rule authority. Although most county governments were abolished during the 1990s and 2000s, a handful remain.

Massachusetts’ capital city is Boston. The seat of power is in Beacon Hill, home of the legislative and executive branches. The Supreme Judicial Court is in nearby Pemberton Hill.

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Michigan Executive Branch

MI Executive Branch

Michigan has a republican form of government with three branches of government: the executive branch consisting of the Governor of Michigan and the other independently elected constitutional officers; the legislative branch consisting of the House of Representatives and Senate; and the judicial branch consisting of the one court of justice. The state also allows direct participation of the electorate by initiative, referendum, recall, and ratification.[1]

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Minnesota Executive Branch

MN Executive Branch

The executive branch is headed by the governor. Governor Tim Walz, DFL (Democratic–Farmer–Labor), took office on January 7, 2019. The governor has a cabinet consisting of the leaders of various state government agencies, called commissioners. The other elected constitutional offices are secretary of state, attorney general, and state auditor.

Constitutional officeholders:

Governor Tim Walz (DFL)
Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan (DFL)
Secretary of State Steve Simon (DFL)
Attorney General Keith Ellison (DFL)
State Auditor Julie Blaha (DFL)

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Mississippi Executive Branch

MS Executive Branch

The Government of Mississippi is the government of the U.S. state of Mississippi. Power in Mississippi’s government is distributed by the state’s Constitution between the executive and legislative branches. The state’s current Governor is Tate Reeves. The Mississippi Legislature consists of the House of Representatives and Senate. Mississippi is one of only five states that elects its state officials in odd numbered years (others being Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, and Virginia). Mississippi holds elections for these offices every four years in the years preceding Presidential election years. Thus, the last year when Mississippi elected a Governor was 2019, and the next gubernatorial election will occur in 2023.

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Missouri Executive Branch

MO Executive Branch

The government of the U.S. state of Missouri is organized into the state government and local government, including county government, and city and municipal government.

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Montana Executive Branch

MT Executive Branch

As established and defined by the Montana Constitution, the government of the State of Montana is composed of three branches, the Executive, Judicial, and Legislative. The powers of initiative and referendum are reserved for the citizens of Montana.

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Nebraska Executive Branch

NE Executive Branch

Governor Pete Ricketts was sworn in as Nebraska’s 40th Governor on January 8, 2015. Governor Ricketts was first elected to office upon winning the Nebraska gubernatorial election on November 4, 2014. Prior to his election as governor, he worked to support Nebraska entrepreneurs and startup companies.

Born in Nebraska City and raised in Omaha, Ricketts is the son of an entrepreneur and a public school teacher. Governor Ricketts and his wife, First Lady Susanne Shore, have been married for 18 years and live in Omaha with their three children, Roscoe, Margot and Eleanor.

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Nevada Executive Branch

NV Executive Branch

New Mexico Executive Branch

NM Executive Branch

The government of New Mexico is the governmental structure of the state of New Mexico as established by the Constitution of New Mexico. The executive is composed of the governor, several other statewide elected officials and the governor’s cabinet. The New Mexico Legislature consists of the House of Representatives and Senate. The judiciary is composed of the New Mexico Supreme Court and lower courts. There is also local government, consisting of county administrations, city governments, and special districts.

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New Jersey Executive Branch

NJ Executive Branch

The government of the State of New Jersey is separated into three distinct branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The powers of the State of New Jersey are vested by the Constitution of New Jersey, enacted in 1947, in a bicameral state legislature (consisting of the General Assembly and Senate), the Governor, and the state courts, headed the New Jersey Supreme Court. The powers and duties of these branches are further defined by acts of the state legislature, including the creation of executive departments and courts inferior to the Supreme Court. Like most states, the state allows the incorporation of county, and other local municipal government.

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New York Executive Branch

NY Executive Branch

The Government of the State of New York, headquartered at the New York State Capitol in Albany, encompasses the administrative structure of the U.S. state of New York, as established by the state’s constitution. Analogously to the US federal government, it is composed of three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. The head of the executive is the governor. The Legislature consists of the Senate and the Assembly. The Unified Court System consists of the Court of Appeals and lower courts. The state is also divided into counties, cities, towns, and villages, which are all municipal corporations with their own government.

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North Carolina Executive Branch

NC Executive Branch

The government of North Carolina is divided into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. These consist of the Council of State (led by the Governor), the bicameral legislature (called the General Assembly), and the state court system (headed by the North Carolina Supreme Court). The Constitution of North Carolina delineates the structure and function of the state government.

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North Dakota Executive Branch

ND Executive Branch

The Governor of North Dakota is the head of the executive branch of government of North Dakota and serves as the commander-in-chief of the state’s military forces.

The Constitution of North Dakota specifies that “the executive power is vested in the governor” in Section 1. Section 7 indicates that “the governor is the chief executive of the state. The governor shall have the responsibility to see that the state’s business is well administered and that its laws are faithfully executed.”[2]

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Ohio Executive Branch

OH Executive Branch

The government of the U.S. state of Ohio consists of the executive, judicial, and legislative branches. Its basic structure is set forth in the Constitution and law of Ohio.

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Oklahoma Executive Branch

OK Executive Branch

The government of the U.S. State of Oklahoma, established by the Oklahoma Constitution, is a republican democracy modeled after the federal government of the United States. The state government has three branches: the executive, legislative, and judicial. Through a system of separation of powers or “checks and balances,” each of these branches has some authority to act on its own, some authority to regulate the other two branches, and has some of its own authority, in turn, regulated by the other branches.

The state government is based in Oklahoma City and the head of the executive branch is the Governor of Oklahoma. The legislative branch is called the Legislature and consists of the Oklahoma Senate and the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The Oklahoma Supreme Court and the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals are the state’s highest courts.

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Oregon Executive Branch

OR Executive Branch

The government of the U.S. state of Oregon, as prescribed by the Oregon Constitution, is composed of three government branches: the executive, the legislative, and the judicial. These branches operate in a manner similar to that of the federal government of the United States.

Oregon also has a system of commissions, wherein private citizens are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate; these commissions have the authority to hire and fire the heads of the agencies they govern, and must confirm changes to the permanent rules governing those agencies.

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PA Executive Branch

PA Executive Branch

The Government of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is the governmental structure of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as established by the Pennsylvania Constitution. It is composed of three branches: executive, legislative and judicial. The capital of the Commonwealth is Harrisburg.

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Rhode Island Executive Branch

RI Executive Branch

The government of the state of Rhode Island is prescribed from a multitude of sources; the main sources are the Rhode Island Constitution, the General Laws, and executive orders. The governmental structure is modeled on the Government of the United States in having three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.

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South Carolina Executive Branch

SC Executive Branch

South Carolina government and politics covers the three different branches of government, as well as the state constitution, law enforcement agencies, federal representation, state finances, and state taxes. South Carolina is a state in the United States of America and was the eighth admitted to the Union. The state of South Carolina was preceded by the Crown Colony of South Carolina, a constitutional monarchy which was overthrown during the American Revolution. Presently, South Carolina’s government is formed as a representative democracy.

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South Dakota Executive Branch

SD Executive Branch

The structure of the Government of South Dakota is based on that of the federal government, with three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial. The structure of the state government is laid out in the Constitution of South Dakota, the highest law in the state. The constitution may be amended either by a majority vote of both houses of the legislature, or by voter initiative.

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Tennessee Executive Branch

TN Executive Branch

The government of Tennessee is organized under the provisions of the 1870 Constitution of Tennessee, first adopted in 1796. As set forth by the state constitution, Tennessee’s government is divided into three branches: executive, judicial, and legislative branches. The seat of the government in Tennessee is in its capital city of Nashville.

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Texas Executive Branch

TX Executive Branch

The government of Texas operates under the Constitution of Texas and consists of a unitary democratic state government operating under a presidential system that uses the Dillon Rule, as well as governments at the county and municipal levels.

Austin is the capital of Texas. The State Capitol resembles the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., but is faced in Texas pink granite and is topped by a statue of the “Goddess of Liberty” holding aloft a five-point Texas star. The capitol is also notable for purposely being built seven feet taller than the U.S. national capitol.

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Utah Executive Branch

UT Executive Branch

Utah is a state in the United States of America. Its government consists of a state executive, legislative, and judicial branch, laid forth by the Constitution and law of the State of Utah.

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Vermont Executive Branch

VT Executive Branch

The government of Vermont is a republican form of government modeled after the Government of the United States. The Constitution of Vermont is the supreme law of the state, followed by the Vermont Statutes. This is roughly analogous to the Federal United States Constitution, United States Code and Code of Federal Regulations respectively. Provision is made for the following frame of government under the Constitution of the State of Vermont: the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judicial branch. All members of the executive and legislative branch serve two-year terms including the governor and senators. There are no term limits for any office.

The Vermont state capital is Montpelier. In 1791, Vermont joined the United States as the fourteenth state.

An in-depth evaluation of government in 2008 ranked Vermont high compared to other states. It ranked highest in “small discrete issues and huge global ones.” It performed poorly in the issues in-between and planning for the future.

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Executive Branch

VA Executive Branch

The statewide elected officials are governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general.

All three officers are separately elected four-year terms in years following Presidential elections (1997, 2001, 2005, etc.) and take office in January of the following year. Virginia is one of only five states that elects its state officials in odd numbered years (the others are Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and New Jersey). The last gubernatorial election was in 2017, and the next will occur in 2021.

The governor serves as chief executive officer of the Commonwealth and as commander-in-chief of its militia. The Constitution does not allow a governor to succeed himself in office (though a governor is allowed to serve multiple non-consecutive terms). The Lieutenant Governor, who is not elected on the same ticket as the governor, serves as president of the Senate of Virginia and is first in the line of succession to the governor. The Lieutenant Governor is allowed to run for reelection. The Attorney General is chief legal advisor to the governor and the General Assembly, chief lawyer of the Commonwealth and the head of the Department of Law. The attorney general is second in the line of succession to the governor. Whenever there is a vacancy in all three executive offices of governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general, then the Speaker of the House of the Virginia House of Delegates becomes governor.

 

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Washington Executive Branch

WA Executive Branch

The government of Washington State is the governmental structure of the State of Washington as established by the Constitution of the State of Washington. The executive is composed of the Governor, several other statewide elected officials and the Governor’s cabinet. The Washington State Legislature consists of the House of Representatives and State Senate. The judiciary is composed of the Washington Supreme Court and lower courts. There is also local government, consisting of counties, municipalities and special districts.

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West Virginia Executive Branch

WV Executive Branch

The Government of West Virginia is modeled after the Government of the United States, with three branches: the executive, consisting of the Governor of West Virginia and the other elected constitutional officers; the legislative, consisting of the West Virginia Legislature which includes the Senate and the House of Delegates; and the judicial, consisting of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals and lower courts.

The capital and seat of government in West Virginia is the city of Charleston, located in the southwest area of the state.

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Wisconsin Executive Branch

WI Executive Branch

Wisconsin’s Constitution outlines the structure and function of state government, which is organized into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. The Wisconsin Blue Book is the primary published reference about the government and politics of the state. Re-published every two years, copies are available from state legislators.

Executive

Governor Tony Evers (D)
The executive branch is headed by the governor. The current governor, Tony Evers, assumed office on January 7, 2019. In addition to the governor, the executive branch includes five other elected constitutional officers: Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer, and State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Four members of the Wisconsin executive branch are Democrats. The Superintendent of Public Instruction of Wisconsin is a non-partisan position.

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Wyoming Executive Branch

WY Executive Branch

There are five elected executives: governor, auditor, treasurer, superintendent of public instruction, and secretary of state; there is no lieutenant governor.

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New Hampshire Executive Branch

NH Executive Branch

The Executive Branch consists of the Governor, Executive Councilors, and state agencies. This branch enacts and enforces the laws of the state.

The Governor is the supreme executive and shall be called His or Her Excellency. According to our the state’s constitution, the Governor is responsible for the faithful execution of the law. This responsibility is met with the assistance of the Executive Council and state agencies. New Hampshire is unique because of the five member Executive Council who work with, advise and share the governor’s responsibilities. The Governor nominates and the Council and Governor appoint people to fill positions of agency directors and commissioners, judges and the Attorney General. The Governor and Executive Council are responsible for awarding state contracts. Either one shall have a negative on the other, allowing the Council to veto the Governor’s actions. While a few other state have Executive Councils (Massachusetts for example), they exist in an advisory capacity only. In New Hampshire, the Executive Council has a strong check on the Governor’s power. Both the Governor and Councilors are elected to two year terms.

State agencies work under the direction of the Governor. The heads of the agencies are appointed by the Governor and Council but because of their terms of office, they may work under a different Governor and Council than the one that appointed them. The functions of the agencies are defined by the laws passed by the legislature and by executive order of the Governor. The responsibilities of state agencies include public health and safety, education, cultural affairs, environmental protection and economic development. Agencies promulgate rules to assist them in carrying out their duties. The rules have the force of law.

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