Missouri Constitution

Describe how the Missouri Non-Partisan Plan is used to select judges?

1. There is a vacancy or possible vacancy and a committee is chosen to select candidates to fill vacancy (members of the community) 2. They assess candidates and nominate 3 for the Governor to choose 3. The Governor chooses 1 and the senate must approve. Governor has to decide within 60 days. If they don't, then the committee will decide *This keeps politics out of the Judicial branch

What is the term of office for a Missouri Supreme court judge?

12 years

how many representatives are in the Missouri House of Representatives?

163 (one for each district in Missouri)

In what year was the current Missouri Constitution adopted?

1945

What is the term limit for state senators?

2 term limit

what is the term limit for governor?

2 term limit

what is the term limit for supreme court judges?

2 term limit (no re-election)

What is the term of office for state representatives?

2 years

How many senators are in the Missouri senate?

34 members

What is the term limit for state representatives?

4 term limit

What is the term of office for Governor?

4 year term

What us the term of office for state senators?

4 years

Secretary of State

All things elections, runs the state and national elections in the state, prepare ballot, certify elections, state seal.

What year did Missouri become a state?

August 10, 1821

What are the associate circuit courts?

City courts, usually deals with misdemeanors. municipal, probate, drug, and family court

Missouri Circuit court

Court of original jurisdiction for civil and criminal cases (1st to hear the case). Purpose is the hear the case and determine if the defendant is guilty or not. (Only goes to circuit court if defendant pleas "not guilty") Controls municipal, probate, drug, and family courts

Missouri Supreme court

Final appellate court in most cases. Job is to hear appeals of cases that have been tried in a lower court. original jurisdiction in cases involving if a treaty of law is valid, parts of the state constitution, or who is entitled to hold a state office

Who may call a special session of the general assembly?

Governor or 3/4th of the general assembly

What are the two types of direct democracy used in Missouri?

Initiative and Referendum

when is the State of the state address?

January

What is the capital of Missouri?

Jefferson City

Missouri Court of Appeals

Job is to determine whether any error took place in the lower courts. Has appellate jurisdiction in all cases that are not in the exclusive jurisdiction of the supreme court. Hears appeals from the circuit courts.

Auditor

Keeps financial records of local and state money, in charge of making sure the money is spent correctly, check collection and spending of money by state agencies

What is the highest court in Missouri?

Missouri supreme court?

what are the requirements to vote in a general election?

Must be a U.S citizen, resident of Missouri, at least 18 years old, registered where you live

In what month are general elections held in Missouri?

November

Attorney General

Prosecutes and defends state in court, gives advisory opinions, chief legal officer

Who has the power to impeach the governor?

State house of representatives

What is a line-item veto?

The ability of the governor to approve some parts of a SPENDING bill, while crossing out/vetoing other parts. Governor can scratch through parts of an appropriations bill before signing into law. Governor has this power, but the President does NOT

What government body maintains and directs the business of most counties?

The county commission

What is the Missouri legislative body known as?

The general assembly

Who must give final approval to all amendments to the Missouri Constitution?

The people of Missouri

Who is the leader of the House of Representatives?

The speaker

Powers of the Lieutenant Governor

The voice of the people, ombudsman, volunteer coordinator, president of the senate, succeed to the governorship, acting governor when needed

what are the responsibilities of country government?

To maintain county roads; maintain county law enforcement; conduct local, state, and national elections

what is an ordinance?

a law made by a city or county government

requirements to be governor?

at least 30 years old, a U.S citizen for at least 10 years, lived in Missouri for at least 10 years.

Powers of the Governor

chief executive, judicial (pardon, reprieve, etc.), appointments, recommend laws, veto/sign bills, propose budget, direct national guard, signs legislation into law.

Missouri has a ___ democracy

direct

Executive branch officials in Missouri are _____ not __________

elected; appointed

How often do Missouri voters decide if they want a new Constitution for the state?

every 20 years

How often do Missouri voters decide is they want a new constitution for the state?

every 20 years

How does Missouri generate revenue?

income, inheritance, and sales tax

Treasurer

invest money an writes checks for the state, chief financial officer, care for and invest state funds

What are the responsibilities of city (municipal) governments?

maintain city roads; maintain city law enforcement; maintain city parks

What are the requirements to be a representative in the Missouri House?

must be at least 24 years old, a registered voter for at least 2 years, and a resident of the district for 1 year.

What are the requirements to be a senator in Missouri?

must be at least 30 years old, a registered voter for at least 2 years, a district resident for 1 years.

municipal court

original jurisdiction in cases involving city/civil ordinances

family court

original jurisdiction in cases involving juveniles (adoptions, divorce, etc.)

probate court

original jurisdiction in cases with wills and property of the deceased

drug court

original jurisdiction in most cases involving first-time drug offenders (can get 2 year probation to have drug crime expunged)

income tax

tax on income/salary people receive in work

inheritance tax

tax on inheritances people receive/inherit after a loved one/relative passes on

sales tax

tax on things you buy in stores

Who are the leaders of the senate?

the Lieutenant governor and president pro temp

What is the general assembly composed of?

the house of representatives and the senate

what is different about Missouri's budget?

we have a zero balance budget = no debt

Describe Initiative direct democracy

when a legislation/amendment is introduced by a citizen petitioning to vote on such a legislation. Allows the people to vote on one of three things: a change in an old law, a new law, or a change in the state Constitution.

Describe Referendum

when the legislation/amendment is introduced by members of the general assembly and is voted on by the Missouri citizens. A way for voters to review a law after the legislature has appointed it.