1. Federal and State Government
MS Studies
Ch. 13

2. Basic Principles of American Government
US Constitution is the Supreme law of the land
The people have all the power.
3 separate branches
Executive - President
Legislative - Congress
Judicial – Courts
Each branch is limited in power and subject to “checks” by the other branches to keep from gaining to much power.
US system of government is a representative one.

3. Federal Government Legislative branch US Senate
100 members – 2 from each state (50)
Qualifications – 30 years old, citizen of the US for 9 years, resident of the state representing
Serve 6 year unlimited terms
Vice president is presiding officer of the Senate, but only real power is the ability to vote in case of a tie on bills before the Senate.
House of Representatives
435 members – based on population of state
Qualifications – 25 years old, citizen of the US for 7 years, resident of the state and district representing.

4. Executive Branch Powers of the Legislature
2 year unlimited terms
MS has 4 districts
Rankin County is in the 3rd District
Powers of the Legislature
Impeach
Make laws and pass bills
Confirmation of presidential appointments
Ratifies treaties
Executive Branch
President is elected by popular vote and the electoral college.
Power to carry out the laws enacted by Congress

5. Judicial Branch Includes the president, v-president, and Cabinet.
Numerous agencies and bureaus
Qualifications for President – 35 years old, natural born citizen, and resident of the US for 14 years.
4 year terms – 2 term max or 10 years max
Vice President assumes the presidency in the event the President can no longer serve for whatever reason.
Judicial Branch
Interpret the Constitution and laws passed by Congress.
The highest court in the land is the US Supreme Court.

6. MS is in the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals
Justices to the Supreme Court are appointed by the President for life.
There are no specific qualifications for Supreme Court justices.
Has judicial review power, which means it can decided the constitutionality of laws passed by Congress, state lawmakers, and the President.
MS is in the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals
Review decisions of lower courts
Under the Appeals Court is the US District Courts
These are federal courts
MS is divided into Northern and Southern Districts
Bankruptcy courts are in each federal district.

7. State Government MS has operated under 4 Constitutions.
1817
1832
1868
1890
This is the one we are operating under today
It has be amended 120 times to keep it current
State Legislative Branch
Bicameral – House of Representatives and Senate
52 Senators and 122 Representatives at the state level

8. Executive Branch Legislators are elected to 4 year terms.
Presiding officers of the Senate is the Lt. Governor.
Speaker of the House presides over the House of Representatives
Legislative sessions occur every year starting in January
125 days when new governor
90 days regular
Special sessions may be called by the Governor
Executive Branch
Most people in the executive branch are elected by the people at the state level

9. Governor is elected to 4 year terms and can serve 2 terms in secession
Other people in executive roles
Lt. Governor
Secretary of State
Attorney General
State Auditor
State Treasurer
State Judicial Branch
State Courts try cases involving state law

10. Financing State Government
Courts at state level
MS Supreme Court
Court of Appeals
Circuit Courts
Chancery Courts
District Attorneys are elected
Serve in 22 districts of Circuit Courts
Michael Guest represents Rankin county and Madison county
Prosecutors that represent the state
Financing State Government
The primary source of income for the state is the general sales tax.

11. Second largest income for the state is income taxes.