Missouri Constitution
salary of general assembly
$35,915.44 yearly
courts of appeals
-3 court of appeals in the state with 3 judges each -12 year term -next step up for those who are not satisfied with rulings of lower courts
circuit courts
-43 judicial districts -has jurisdiction over major civil and criminal matters. -elected by the people for a 6 year term. -84 judges presently
Governor Qualification
-Most important officer in the executive branch -must be a citizen for at lease 15 years -qualified voter of state -must live in state for 10 years before the election -at least 30 years old -4 year team -can be re-elected once
State Treasurer
-elected for a 4 year term -responsible for managing state funds, investing state money, and paying out state funds. Current Treasurer: Clint Zweifel
supreme court
-final authority on the state constitution -highest tribunal for any action in the state courts 7 judges, 12 year term -court rooms in state capitol
Executive branch has how many departments?
14 major departments: Conservations, consumer affairs, elementary and secondary education, higher education, highway, labor and industrial relations, mental health, natural resources, public safety, revenue, social services, transportation, office of administration
how many House of Rep members?
164. One from each of the 163 districts
Missouri became a state
1821
Missouri constitution written
1945
House of Rep terms
2 years. elections in even numbered years.
age House of rep can at least be
24
Senators must be at least how old?
30
How many State Senators?
34
Senators term?
4 years. May be re-elected. Elections are held in even-numbered years, half the senate is elected every two years.
The state is divided into how many circuits?
43
Senate + House of Rep
= General Assembly
Auditor
Examines the accounts of all state agencies to see if they are operating within the law with respect to efficiency and economy and makes reports to the legislature and governor. Current Auditor: Tomas A. Scheich
Main body of legislative branch
General Assembly
Missouri's current Governor
Jay Nixon
Capitol city
Jefferson city
presiding officer of state senate is called?
Lieutenant Governor. Senate also have a president pro tempore who they select
Presiding officer of House of Rep
Speaker of the house - elected by reps
chief legal officer of state
attorney general - chris koster
would represent the state in court
attorney general - chris koster
reviews the accounts of state offices
auditor - thomas schweich
How are judges selected?
by the people
what is the general trial court in Missouri?
circuit
General assembly meets when?
every year on the first Wednesday after the first Monday in January. A regular session lasts until May 15 (even # years) or until June 30th (odd # years) Extra sessions may be called on by governor
Governor is in charge of foreign affairs (t/f)
f
Governors term is for 2 years (t/f)
f
No bill can pass the senate or house except by 2/3rds vote (t/f)
f
The governor can change a bill and then pass it (t/f)
f
The legislature can only call itself into special session (t/f)
f
Thomas Jefferson designed the Missouri legislative branch (t/f)
f
governor makes the laws (t/f)
f
lobbies are illegal in Missouri (t/f)
f
appoints many officials to office
governor - jay nixon
What are lobbies?
groups that influence lawmakers
Attorney General
is the chief of law enforcement officer of the state and the states legal counsel. Attorney General provides legal and criminal investigation for the state, provides legal representation for the state in civil cases. Advise state officers, departments, and agencies as to their legal rights and responsibilities, and provides the governor, legislature, and other officials with legal opinions. Current Attorney General: Chris Koster
qualifications of judicial branch members
judges must be citizens, and licensed attorneys of the state and residents of the districts which they are elected. judges must devote their time to their judicial duties and cannot engage in law practice or hold other office. All courts are under the supervision of the supreme court
takes over for the governor if the governor is unable to do his job
lieutenant governor - peter kinder
Local Courts
limited jurisdiction. handles less serious offenses
Legislative branch purpose
makes the laws
Lieutenant Governor
presides of the state senate, ruling on parliamentary points and exercising a tie breaking vote. If gov. resigns the Lt gov becomes Gov. The Lt. serves on many committees, in many cases acts as the governors representative Current Lt. Gov: Peter Kinder
what court has jurisdiction over matters involving wills, estates, etc.?
probate
Secretary of State
records, files, and certifies the public documents of the state, corporation records, and election records. This officer is the chief election officer of the state and the keeper of the state's official seal. Current Secretary of State: Jason Kander
qualifications of General Assembly members
residents of state, district, and citizens of U.S.
magistrate courts
responsible for hearing closed cases involving minor criminal/ civil matters. limited jurisdiction
official in charge of keeping state seal
secretary of state - jason kadner
Members of executive branch
serve 4 year teams and elected by the people
Bills may start in either house (t/f)
t
If the governor's veto results in the bill being passes by 2/3rds vote in each house, the bill will be law. (t/f)
t
The governor has the job of enforcing the law (t/f)
t
The governor may remove an officer he has appointed (t/f)
t
The governor may veto only part of a bill and approve the rest (t/f)
t
a bill must be read 3 times in each house (t/f)
t
a bill must follow somewhat the same route in either house (t/f)
t
Members of General assembly are elected by who?
the people
Impeachment roles in the House of Rep
they start impeachment proceedings
Impeachment in the senate
they try impeachment cases
keeper of state money
treasurer - clint zweifel
