Fun Facts

 Statehood: 10 August 1821  Capital: Jefferson City  4 constitutions  1820 (when the state entered the Union)  1865 (end of the Civil War)  1875 (end of Reconstruction)  1945 (toppling of the Pendergast Machine)

Legislative Branch

 Legislative branch is bicameral  House of Representatives  Senate  Known as the General Assembly

Legislative Branch House of Representatives  Twenty-four years old  Qualified Missouri voter for two years before the election  Resident of the district he/she is chosen to represent for one year before the election Senate  Thirty years old  Qualified Missouri voter for three years before the election  Resident of the district he/she is chosen to represent for one year before the election

Legislative Branch House of Representatives  Two year terms  Limited to four terms  163 members  Annual salary is $35, Senate  Four year terms  Limited to two terms  34 members  Annual salary is $35,915.00

Legislative Branch  Leadership  President Pro Tem of the Senate  Tom Dempsey (Republican; Saint Charles, 23)  Speaker of the House  Tim Jones (Republican; 110)  Majority Floor Leaders  Senate: Ron Richard (Republican; Joplin, 32)  House of Representatives: John Diehl (Republican; 89)  Minority Floor Leaders  Senate: Joseph Keaveny (Democrat; Saint Louis, 4)  House of Representatives: Jacob Hummel (Democrat; 81)

Legislative Branch  Legislative committees scrutinize each bill in their assigned area and decide if they should recommend that bill become a law or not  Committee is responsible for reading the bill, doing research, listening to experts, hearing public opinion, et cetera  Options:  1. Pass (bill should pass in original form)  2. Do Pass – Amended (bill should pass with recommended amendments from the committee)  3. Do Not Pass (bill should be considered but not passed)  4. Without Recommendation (no opinion; chamber should decide)

Executive Branch

 Leader of the executive branch is the governor  Governor qualifications:  1. Thirty years old  2. Citizen of the United States for fifteen years prior to election  3. Resident of Missouri for ten years prior to election  Term of office is four years  Limited to two terms  Current governor: Jay Nixon (Democrat)

Executive Branch  Powers and duties of the governor:  1. Choosing directors of state agencies  2. Selecting citizens for boards and official groups  3. Filling empty positions in county offices  4. Appointing judges  5. Commander in Chief of the Missouri National Guard  6. Pardon individuals who have committed crimes  7. Call special sessions of the legislature  8. Deliver State of the State (January)  9. Submit budget  10. Sign bills into law or veto them

Executive Branch  Sixteen departments  Lieutenant Governor  Current: Peter Kinder (Republican)  Must meet same qualifications as governor  President of the Missouri Senate  May cast tie-breaking vote  Serves on numerous boards and official groups  Becomes governor in the case of death, resignation, or disability of the governor  Very similar to the role of Vice President of the United States

Executive Branch  Secretary of State  Current: Jason Kander (Democrat)  Oversees elections, takes care of historic records, oversees the State Library, oversees the securities industry, and serves as the filing agency for business records  Guardian of the Great Seal of the State of Missouri, validates all official documents for the governor  Publishes the official manual of the State of Missouri

Executive Branch  State Auditor  Current: Tom Schweich (Republican)  Inspects the finances of all state agencies and official groups as well as some counties in Missouri  May be asked to examine local governments by citizens  Responsible for ensuring Missouri tax dollars are spent responsibly

Executive Branch  State Treasurer  Current: Clint Zweifel (Democrat)  Guardian of state’s money  Manages and invests the state’s money  Oversees the Unclaimed Property Program which attempts to return forgotten funds deposited in banks to their owners

Executive Branch  Attorney General of Missouri  Current: Chris Koster (Democrat since 2007; switched political affiliation in 2007)  Lawyer for the state  Represents the interests of Missouri government agencies and citizens  Gives legal advice to statewide officers, the legislature, and other agencies  Must be in an attorney and has to live in Jefferson City while in office

Judicial Branch

 Criminal vs. civil cases  Circuit Courts  45 circuit courts  Organized into districts  Original jurisdiction  Most judges are chosen through popular election  Judges are chosen by the the merit-based non-partisan court plan in Clay, Jackson, Platte, and Saint Louis counties and the city of Saint Louis  Term of office is six years

Judicial Branch  Court of Appeals  3 courts of appeals  Organized into three districts  Appellate jurisdiction  Judges are selected through the Missouri Non-partisan Court Plan  Selection by Appellate Judicial Commission  Appointed by the governor  Retention through voters during elections  Twelve year terms  Must retire by age 70 unless they apply for special senior status

Judicial Branch  Missouri Supreme Court  Exclusive jurisdiction over the following:  Validity of United States statute or treaty  Validity of Missouri statute or constitutional provision  State’s revenue laws  Challenges to state-wide official’s rights to hold office  Imposition of the death penalty  If a case does not fit one of these five areas, the Supreme Court will not hear it and the Court of Appeals has final jurisdiction  Other cases can be transferred to the Supreme Court at their discretion if the issue is important or of general interest, the court feels a law should be re-examined, or the lower court’s decision conflicts with an earlier appellate decision

Judicial Branch  Missouri Supreme Court (continued)  Twelve year terms  Missouri Plan to select judges  Seven judges sit on the court  Elect the Chief Justice for two year terms