Missouri State Government

Purpose of State Gov’t Sharing power with Federal government = FEDERALISM

Powers Concurrent State

Concurrent Powers Shared by both federal and state governments examples: –Taxing –Court system –Regulate business

State powers State has power within its own borders Examples: –Education –Public safety

Organization of State Gov’t All states are required to have 3 branches of government –LEGISLATIVE –EXECUTIVE –JUDICIAL

All states have a Constitution Provides the state with its fundamental basis of law Government organization Superior to all other STATE laws All states have a Governor and other elected officials All states provide services for their people

Missouri Government Jefferson City – state capital 24 th state admitted in 1821 Constitution is revised every 20 years – no changes since counties – you live in JACKSON COUNTY

Executive Branch Governor is the head of the executive branch. Duties include enforcement of state laws and administering of laws

Governor Serves a 4 year term – 2 terms max!! Must be 30 years old to run for office. Similar to the job of President, but not exactly the same.

Missouri Executive Branch Officials Governor – Jay Nixon (D) Lt. Gov. – Peter Kinder (R) Sec. of State – Robin Carnahan (D) Attorney General – Chris Koster (D) State Treasurer – Clint Zweifel (D) Auditor – Tom Schweich (R)

Executive Departments 13 total Agriculture Conservation Corrections and Human Services Economic Development Elementary and Secondary Education Health

Departments cont’d Highway/Transportation Labor & Industrial relations Mental Health Natural Resources Public Safety Revenue Social Services

Legislative Branch Duty is to pass laws that the public wants Examples include: School funding, budget, speed limits on state roads, state parks, last day of school, etc.

Legislative Branch cont’d How to pass laws? –Introduce bill – committees –Legislative powers –Non-legislative powers –Initiative – petition drives –Referendum – voters decide on the petition

General Assembly Similar to Congress Bicameral – House and Senate

MO House of Reps 163 members Speaker of House is Ron Richards Your Rep is Jeff Grisamore 24 years old to run, 3 year MO resident, district you represent for 1 year, and MO voter for 2 years. 2 year term

MO Senate 34 members Lt. Governor presides Must be 30 years old and a MO voter for 3 years, all the rest is same as House. Your Senator is Matt Bartle 4 year term

MO General Assembly Meeting dates: Early January (1 st Wednesday after the first Monday in January) until May 15 th annually. Every other year starts a new session.

Judicial Branch Duties are to interpret laws, review decisions, meet the needs of justice for the state of Missouri

MO State courts Supreme Court 3-9 judges no jury final state appeals decides state constitution/government issues Top court in Missouri

MO Courts cont’d Appeals Court –1-7 judges –NO jury –Appeals ONLY

Reasons for Appeal Rights violated New evidence Illegality at trial

Decisions court can make Let the decision stand (Stare decisis) Reverse Refer to next court

Missouri Circuit Court 1 judge and a jury This is the only state court with a jury!! Hears felonies (serious crimes) –Original jurisdiction –Trial court –State violations

Circuit Court Family cases –NO jury on these –Examples: divorce, custody, family services

MO Associate Circuit Court 1 judge – NO JURY Misdemeanors (less serious) –Original jurisdiction –Trial court –Lessen work load of Circuit court –Preliminary hearings –MO HWY and Water Patrol –Sheriff traffic tickets

Municipal Court 1 judge no jury Hears city violations –Noise, citizens complaints, property maintenance, etc. –Traffic violations, zoning violation

MO Plan for selecting judges When there is a vacancy, the bar association prepares a list of 3 names Governor chooses 1 of those 3 After the term is completed the voters decide on the next term or not

Terms for judges Supreme – 12 years Appeals – 8 years Circuit – 4 years Associate Circuit – 4 years

State Budget Main source of income is tax money ( sales tax and income tax) Main expenses are education and roads MO cannot go into debt – it is a state law

Services Something the state does for its people that they cannot do for themselves Use tax money to pay for services Ex: roads, ambulance, fire protection, etc.