ek terms 3

VA supreme court

The highest federal court in VA. It has the power to overturn legal rulings made by lower courts. At times its own decisions are made by prior justices.

Ordinance

a law set forth by governmental authority, specifically a municipal (local) law.Ordinances are statues enacted by city governments such as a speed limit on a given road or a zoning law which limits construction in that area. Ordinances are important because people that live in different parts of the country have different needs and require different ways of governing themselves, and ordinances enable place to have a personalized legislation that meets those needs.

The fairfax board of supervisors

the governing body of fairfax county. The board has 9 magistarial districs, 1 chairman, and a VIP who controls budget and land use. It is important because it establishes a vision for the community's school that reflect a consensus of the board,community and district staff.

The state corportation commission

A Va regulatory agency whose authority includes utilities, insurance, state chartered financial institutions, securities, retail franchising, and railroads. It is important because it strives to apply law and regulation to balance the interests of citizens, businesses, and customers in regulating Virginia's business and economic concerns. Examples are energy, telephone, financial, insurance, securities of retail or franchising related (utilities).

Dillon's Rule

A decision made by Judge John Dillon in 1869 that declares that state government should have more power than local governments. The idea behind Dillon's rule is that local government should only have the powers that are expressly stated in or implied in the state constitution, or that are allowed through legislation that has passed through the state's legislative body. An example of Dillon's rule is the VA state government. Dillon's rule is important because it is an alternative government set up to home rule, and can greatly affect the amount of work and actions local governments can get accomplished.

Va constitution

A document that defines and limits the powers of the state government and the basic right of the citizens of the U.S. Commonwealth of Va.

Home Rule

In a Home Rule state, counties , cities, etc, may pass laws so long as they are not prohibited by the state legislation. It allows the local government a greater responsibility in decision making from the state level to the local level. An example of a home rule state is Maryland. The importance of Home rules is that the states that follow home rule let the counties and cities have more independence and have more say in their own town, than going to the local government.

Eminent Domain

Is the power of the state to take private property for PUBLIC use with payment of compensation to the owner. In some jurisdictions, the state delegates' eminent domain power to certain public and private companies, typically utilities, such that they can bring eminent doamin actions to run telephone, power water, or gas lines. In most countries including the United States under the fifth admendment to the constitution, the owner of any appropriated land is entitled to some compenstatoin(money), usually defined as the fair market value of the property. Proceedings to take land under eminent domain are typically referred to as "condemnation" proceedings.

office of the governer

Office of the governer is the executive branch of a state in the U.S. It includes the governer as head of the executive office, chief of staff, secreatary of administration, secreatary of commerce and trade, and state treasurer. The office of the governer is important because it carries out state laws. Example is Governer of VA Bob Mcdonnell. Va governer has 1 term (4 years).

General Assembly

The VA General Assembly is the legislative body of the commonwealth of Virginia. The General Assembly is a bicameral body, consisting of a lower house, the Va house of delegates, with 100 members and a upper house; the Senate of Virginia, with 40 members. The General assembly is important because they make the laws and helps the state be governed the right way.