Georgia’s State Government

Georgia’s Constitution A new constitution ratified by the people of Georgia in 1982 became effective July 1, Georgia has had a total of ten constitutions.

Georgia’s Executive Branch The Governor and Executive Departments

Executive Branch largest branch of state government enforces law and carries out programs such as education and transportation chief official- Governor  elected for a 4-year term  can serve 2 consecutive terms (8 yrs.) His powers include:  proposing new programs and laws  proposing a budget  vetoing legislation  appointing members of boards in state government

Executive Departments The heads of executive departments are elected by the voters for 4-year terms.  the Lieutenant Governor  Secretary of State  Attorney General  Commissioner of Insurance  Superintendent of Schools  Commissioner of Labor  Commissioner of Agriculture

Georgia’s Governor Nathan Deal Sworn in on 1/10/11 Georgia’s 82 nd Governor 23 years in private law practice criminal prosecutor, a juvenile court judge 12 years in the state Senate 9 terms in the U.S. Congress.

Governor Deal Married 44 years four children and six grandchildren Born in Millen Grew up in Sandersville. His father, a high school agriculture teacher Attended Mercer University in Macon Served in the United States Army, where he earned the rank of captain.

Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle Lowell S. "Casey" Cagle was born in Gainesville, Georgia. He is a former member of the Georgia General Assembly Cagle defeated Democrat Jim Martin on November 7, 2006, to become the first Republican Lieutenant Governor in Georgia's history.

Secretary of State Lifelong resident of Athens Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture. Secretary Kemp was sworn into office on January 8, The Georgia Secretary of State’s office oversees elections, corporations, securities, and professional licensing boards, and also controls the state archives and the Capitol museum.

Georgia’s Legislative Branch The General Assembly

Legislative Branch Georgia General Assembly formed in 1777 (older than the U.S. Congress) in 1789 it became bicameral House of Representatives: 180 members Speaker of the House: Leader(majority party) Senate: 56 members: Leader: Lt. Gov. or President Pro Tempore Both serve 2-year terms

Legislative Leadership Presiding over the House of Representatives is the Speaker, a member of that body elected every two years by the membership. In the Senate, the Lieutenant Governor serves as presiding officer.

Your Representative in the GA General Assembly House of Representatives Jan Tankersley District 158 Republican Represents part of Bryan and part of Bulloch Counties Elected in 2010

Your Senator in the GA General Assembly Senate Senator Buddy Carter Republican Elected to the State Senate in 1994 Represents coastal Georgia's 1st Senate District elected to Georgia House of Representatives Nov. 22, elected to Georgia Senate |

Georgia’s Judicial Branch State Courts

Judicial Branch Consists of courts of limited, general and appellate jurisdiction. Judges are elected. Georgia has forty-eight superior court circuits, with each circuit containing from one to eight counties and served by one or more judges. Each county has its own superior court.

Appeals Courts Court of Appeals  twelve judges  can hear any appeal from a trial court Supreme Court  seven justices  the state’s highest appellate body

Georgia’s Supreme Court CAROL W. HUNSTEIN, Chief Justice GEORGE H. CARLEY, Presiding Justice ROBERT BENHAM, Justice HUGH P. THOMPSON, Justice P. HARRIS HINES, Justice HAROLD D. MELTON, Justice DAVID E. NAHMIAS, Justice CAROL W. HUNSTEINGEORGE H. CARLEY ROBERT BENHAMHUGH P. THOMPSON P. HARRIS HINESHAROLD D. MELTON DAVID E. NAHMIAS