Virginia’s LegisLatiVe Branch
►The
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is Virginia’s legislature.
It makes laws for our state.
It is very similar to our national Congress both in how it is set up and how it operates.
► Like Congress, it is
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It is made up of the VA Senate and the VA House of ___________________.
The lawmaking process in Virginia is basically the same as in Congress.
 Introduction of bills
 Committee work
 Debate on the floor
 Vote in both houses
 Signed by __________________________
► The Governor must sign all laws passed by both Houses in the General Assembly.
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The governor may veto the entire law.
The governor may use a line-item veto. He may reject only part of the law, and accept
the remaining parts.
Both Houses can unite and override the Governor’s veto by a 2/3 vote.
► Virginia and its General Assembly get their power from the 10th Amendment.
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The 10th Amendment reserves powers for the states.
The General Assembly approves a ____________________ (2-year) budget.
The General Assembly works in the State Capitol Building in Richmond.
The General Assembly meets every year beginning the second Wednesday in
January. In even-numbered years, it meets for 60 calendar days. In odd-numbered
years, it meets for 30 calendar days. (This session can be extended up to 30 additional
days.)
► VA ____________________ ______________________________
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The House of Delegates consists of 100 members.
 Delegates serve a term of two years.
 Each member receives an annual salary of $17,640.
 Each member represents approximately 71,000 citizens.
You must be 21 years old to be a delegate.
The Speaker of the House presides over the House of Delegates.
► VA __________________________________________________
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The Senate of Virginia consists of 40 members.
 Each member is elected for a term of four years
 Senators receive an annual salary of $18,000.
 A Senator represents approximately 176,000 citizens of the Commonwealth.
You must be 21 years old to be a state senator.
The Lt. Governor presides over the VA Senate.
The President Pro Tempore presides if the Lt. Gov. is absent.
Virginia’s executiVe Branch
► The Office of _________________ - Official requirements:
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30 years of age
VA resident for at least 5 years
American citizen
► A governor’s term is for ___________________ years.
► In VA you cannot serve back to back terms.
► The second highest official in VA is the _________________________________________
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(He is like the VP of our state.)
He must meet the same requirements as the governor.
He is the Head of the Senate.
He takes over if something happens to the governor.
► Governor’s Responsibilities
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Carries out VA’s laws
Prepares budget
 (Gen. Assembly must approve it)
Vetoes Bills
Proposes laws
Grants Pardons
Appoints cabinet members
Administers bureaucracy
► The Governor’s Helpers
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The Governor has a ____________________________ that advises him on important
matters concerning the state.
Heads of departments
 Dept. of Justice
 Dept. of Education
 Dept. of Labor
 Dept. of Health
 Dept. of Highways
 Dept. of Welfare
 Dept. of Agriculture
► The Leaders of our state
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VA Governor- ________________________________________
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VA Lieutenant Governor- ______________________________________