Warm-up1. Name Virginia’s Legislative body.

• General Assembly2. What are the 2 houses in the General

Assembly?• State Senate and House of Delegates

3. What is the primary responsibility of Virginia’s legislative branch? • Make laws for Virginia

Virginia’s Executive Branch

The Governor…enforces laws for Virginia

Movie Time!

Safari Montage- US Federal System (chapters 3 and 5)

Executive Branch of Virginia (State Government)

Virginia’s Executive Branch is headed by aGovernor who is granted the power to execute the laws of Virginia according to theVirginia Constitution.

The Governor appoints a Cabinet who helps himoversee the functions of Virginia’s government

Virginia Executive Branch Governor

Lieutenant Governor

Attorney General

Cabinet

Agencies, commissionsRegulatory

boards

Reading ActivityRead the material provided in class and

answer the questions on your worksheet.

You have 30 minutes.

The Office of the Governor of Virginia

1. The governor serves as the chief executive of Virginia.

2. A governor of Virginia serves a 4 year term in office.

3. Virginia’s current governor is Bob McDonnell. Political party Republican

Click the mouse button or press theSpace Bar to display the answer.

A president is responsible for governing the entire nation, whereas a governor enforces the laws of a state.

4. What are the 3 qualifications to become a governor of Virginia?

• US citizen• Reside in Virginia for 5 years• 30 years old

5. Is a governor allowed to run for consecutive (back-to-back) terms in office? NO

First Woman Governor Nellie Tayloe Ross of Wyoming was the first woman elected governor of a state. She was elected on November 9, 1924 to fill the unexpired term of her husband.

6. How many terms may a governor serve? It is unlimited but it CANNOT be consecutive

7. Name at least 5 duties/responsibilities of a governor?

Live in Virginia Report to the General Assembly Call special sessions of the General

Assembly Execute laws of Virginia Safety of the state Command the Virginia militia

8. The salary of a Virginia governor is$175, 000

9. MatchingA. Chief of State D. Party ChiefB. Chief Legislator E. Commander in ChiefC. Chief Administrator

___ call special sessions of the General Assembly___ commands Virginia’s militia forces___ sign a bill into law use “line-item”___ attend a local political party function___ Speak at a memorial service___ appoint state government officials,…___ veto a bill

___ offer an individual a pardon___ Propose legislation

___ host a dinner party for dignitaries ___ execute laws

The Governor wants to cut state taxes. In which role would he propose these tax cuts?

10. The Cabinet is responsible for advising the governor.

11. Cabinet officers are nominated by the governor and approved by the General Assembly.

12. The Cabinet departments, agencies, commissions and regulatory boards-

administers laws for the governor Enforces laws for the governor regulates businesses and the

economy for the governor provides services for the people of

Virginia

The Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia

13. Name 4 official duties of a Lieutenant Governor?

Serve as president of the State Senate Preside over the State Senate 1st in line of succession to the governor Serve as a member of several boards,

commissions, councils

14. How is it possible to have a governor and a lieutenant governor from different political parties in Virginia?

The governor and Lt. governor are elected separately not on the same ticket as a president and vice- president.

(they are elected in the same year)

15. A lieutenant governor serves a 4 year term and there is no term limit.

16. Our current Lt. Governor is Bill Bolling.

The Office of the Attorney General of Virginia

17. The office of the Attorney General is the Commonwealth’s law firm.

18. Who are the Attorney General’s clients?

Virginia state government State agencies, boards,

commissions19. What is one thing the Attorney

General cannot do? Give legal advice to private citizens

20. Name 3 key duties of the Attorney Gernal.

• serve as an attorney for the state• Uphold the US and Virginia

Consitutions• Clarify the law• Investigate and prosecute criminal

acts, neglect, abuse, fraud…21. Our current Attorney General is Ken Cuccinelli

In the cartoonist’s view, what is the impact of the federal government’s decision to transfer responsibility for welfare to the states?

Click the mouse button or press theSpace Bar to display the answer.

GAMESSOL pass – Federalism Match-up and

Fling