State Lawmaking CE.7c

Questions Which branch of the Virginia state government has the power to pass laws? How does the Virginia General Assembly make laws?

Virginia General Assembly Members of the Virginia General Assembly are elected to make state laws. All citizens can learn the importance of the individual’s participation in the policymaking process through direct participation and simulations.

Lawmaking Process on the State Level The lawmaking process in the Virginia General Assembly o Introducing a bill o Working in committees o Debating the bill on the floor of each house o Voting on the bill in each house o Sending the bill to the governor to sign into law

Legislative Response Elected officials in the Virginia General Assembly write laws and take action in response to problems or issues. Individuals and interest groups help shape legislation.

Legislative Issues at the State Level The primary issues in the legislative process at the state level o Education : To promote an informed and engaged citizenry (i.e., establish minimum standards for local schools) o Public health : To promote and protect the health of its citizens (i.e., fund health benefits) o Environment : To protect natural resources (i.e., improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay)

Legislative Issues at the State Level o State budget : To approve a biennial (two year) budget prepared by the governor o Revenue: To levy and collect taxes Secretariat General Fund FY 2011 Nongeneral Fund FY 2011 General Fund FY 2012 Nongeneral Fund FY 2012 Legislative Department $ 69,012,458$ 3,608,634$ 68,986,483$ 3,608,634 Judicial Department $ 406,336,895$ 32,545,725$ 406,336,895$ 32,512,098 Executive Offices $ 26,139,511$ 19,574,358$ 26,491,154$ 19,622,358 Administrati on $ 641,689,683$ 298,603,231$ 622,463,213$ 295,515,997 Agriculture and Forestry $ 41,019,978$ 43,115,204$ 41,388,942$ 43,329,563 Commerce and Trade $ 161,212,767 $ 1,172,768,9 34 $ 206,740,163$ 963,688,019 Education $ 6,461,283,2 25 $ 8,475,405,4 55 $ 6,485,257,3 61 $ 8,340,663,9 18 Finance $ 1,634,296,0 40 $ 151,188,682 $ 1,748,099,1 26 $ 179,192,547 Health and Human Resources $ 4,100,716,3 84 $ 7,236,444,1 62 $ 4,930,244,5 82 $ 6,787,795,1 16 Natural Resources $ 124,027,161$ 276,315,813$ 87,183,275$ 277,801,490 Public Safety $ 1,658,097,8 32 $ 896,720,592 $ 1,635,205,4 24 $ 904,601,745 Technology$ 4,781,065$ 47,423,528$ 6,207,193$ 47,559,546 Transportati on $ 162,980,246 $ 4,078,170,6 86 $ 68,980,246 $ 4,466,089,6 78 Central Appropriatio ns $ (27,185,743 ) $ 90,333,589$ (8,423,937)$ 88,359,200 Independent Agencies $ 0$ 513,153,440$ 0$ 529,429,266 Nonstate Entities $ 0 Totals $ 15,464,407, 502 $ 23,335,372, 033 $ 16,325,160, 120 $ 22,979,769, 175 $ 38,799,779,535$ 39,304,929,295

Review Explaining and/or simulating the lawmaking process on the state level.

Vocabulary