State Government

History The 13 colonial governments became the state governments The 13 colonial constitutions PRECEDED our U.S. Constitution The state constitutions served as the building blocks of the Federal government

Federalism Federal and state governments share and divide powers

MN State Legislative Branch Bicameral Senate – Upper house House – Lower house

MN Senate Qualifications – 21 years old – Qualified to vote in MN – 1 year MN resident – Resident in district 6 months before election 67 total senators

Greg Clausen

MN House Qualifications – 21 years old – 2 year term – Qualified to vote in MN – 1 year MN resident – Resident in district 6 months before election 134 reps (2 per Senate district)

Tara Mack

Baker v. Carr (1962) The Supreme Court ruled that “one- person, one-vote” allowed for equal protection under the 14 th Amendment This meant that state legislative districts needed to be equally divided (based on population)

MN State Executive Branch Governor and Lieutenant Governor – Qualifications 25 years old 4 year term No term limits Qualified to vote in MN elections 1 year MN resident US citizen

MN State Executive Branch Governor Roles – Chief Executive Carry out laws Appoint officials Prepare budget – Commander in Chief National Guard – Ceremonial Leader Greet visitors, represent MN -Judicial Leader Pardons - Party Leader Leads MN political party

Governor Mark Dayton MN governor – Since 2011 US Senator – MN State Auditor –

Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith 48 th Lt. Governor Originally from New Mexico Worked at General Mills Was Dayton’s chief of staff

MN State Judicial Branch 3 levels – supreme, Appeals and District/Trial Judges must be at least 21 years old All judges must retire at age 70

MN supreme court 1 Chief Justice 6 Associate Justices – Must be licensed to practice law in MN – 6 year terms Yeah, these justices are voted in by the people! About 1 in 8 cases make it to this level – Taxes and first degree murder are examples

MN Appeals Court 1 chief judge 18 associate judges 6 year terms

MN District/Trial Court 10 courts 289 total judges 6 year terms Criminal, civil, juvenile, family and traffic cases

Local Government

Who pays for it?

Local Government Executive Branch Mayor – 4 year terms – Voted by constituents

Local Government Legislative Branch City Council – 4 year terms – Voted by constituents – Mayor is a member – Apple Valley has 5 members including the mayor