Missouri Constitution

Briefly describe the major provisions of Missouri's first constitution.

1. voters have the right to regulate state government 2. voters have the right to alter or abolish the state constitution either at part or whole 3. 13 articles that cover powers of government, legislature, executive, and interpretive powers of judicial 4. provided guidelines on education, banking, state of militalia, and amending the constitution

How long do judges of the Court of Appeals serve?

12 years

How long is one term for a Missouri Supreme Court justice?

12 years

How many departments are in the Executive Branch?

14

When was Missouri admitted to the Union?

1821

When was the present constitution written?

1945

How many terms may a governor serve?

2

How long is a term for a Missouri representative?

2 years

What are the qualifications for serving in the House?

24 years old, qualified voter in the state for at least 2 years, resident in his district for at least 1 year

What are the qualifications for being governor of Missouri?

30 years old, citizens of US for at least 15 years, Missouri resident for at least 10 years

What are the qualifications for being a Missouri senator?

30 yrs old, qualified voter for 3 yrs, resident in of district 1 yr

How long is a term for a Missouri senator?

4 years

How many justices serve on the Missouri Supreme Court?

7

Who was Missouri's first governor?

Alexander McNair

What is one of the Missouri constitution's basic principles and what does it mean?

All political power is vested in and derived from the people (social contract)

Explain the duties of the Attorney General.

Chief legal officer, he prosecutes or defends all appeals to which the state is a party. Also represents various state officials, boards, and agencies in appeals taken from their decisions and orders. Gives official opinions to General Assembly, Governer, Secretary of State, Auditor, Treasurer, the heads of the various state departments and the circuit or prosecuting attorneys on any question relating to their duties.

Explain the differences between criminal law and civil law

Civil law deals with disputes between private parties, or negligent acts that cause harm to others . For example, if individuals or companies disagree over the terms of an agreement, or who owns land or buildings, or whether a person was wrongfully dismissed from their employment, they may file a lawsuit asking the courts to decide who is right. Criminal law, one of two broad categories of law, deals with acts of intentional harm to individuals but which, in a larger sense, are offences against us all. It is a crime to break into a home because the act not only violates the privacy and safety of the home's occupants

What documents helped guide the delegates in writing the constitution?

Constitution of Kentucky, US constitution

When and how often is the governor elected?

Elected during the presidential election year and serves a term of 4 years

What do the Majority and Minority floor leaders do?

Gets schedule and order of business (majority) manages all floor legislation that party is interested in.

What six offices are in the Executive Branch?

Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Treasurer and State Auditor

What are some of the executive duties of the governor?

He appoints many of the officials whose jobs involve the enforcement of laws. He also appoints the judges of those state courts which operate under the non-partisan court plan. The governor has the authority to fill all vacancies occurring in state and county offices.

What are the two houses of the Missouri legislature and how many members are in each?

House of representatives- 163 members senate- 34 members

When does the Missouri legislature meet?

January to May

Who is the governor of Missouri?

Jay Nixon

Where is Missouri's state capital?

Jefferson City

When and where was Missouri's first constitution written?

July 19, 1820. Mansion House Hotel in St. Louis

How is the chief justice of the Missouri Supreme Court chosen and how long is do they serve?

Missouri's non-partisan plan, 2 years as chief

What type of cases does the Supreme Court hear?

Ones with a constitutional question

What are the responsibilities of the Lieutenant Governor?

Presides over the Missouri Senate. If for any reason the governer leaves office, the power and duties of the governer become the responsibility of the Lieutenant Governer until the end of his term

What are the duties of the Speaker of the House?

Presiding officer in house, appoint all committee members and chairpersons, assigns new bills to house committees, signs all official papers of the House

Describe the President Pro Tem

Ranking member of senate, appoints all committee chairs, serves on all standing committees

What does the Secretary of the Senate do?

Records each day's proceedings and maintains all records

What type of cases does the court of appeals hear?

The Court of Appeals has general appellate jurisdiction in all cases not within the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court

What is the name of the Missouri legislature?

The Missouri General Assembly

What does the Speaker Pro Tem do?

The Speaker Pro Tem presides over the House when the Speaker is absent. Both the Speaker and Speaker Pro Tem are nominated by the majority caucus and elected at the beginning of the legislative session.

How many courts of appeals are there and where are they located?

Three: St. Louis, Kansas City, and Springfield

Why are half of all senators elected every two years?

To ensure that there will always be 17 experienced senators

Explain how the "nonpartisan court plan" works.

When a vacancy occurs in a judgeship, a judicial commission recommends three names to the government The Governer appoints one of the three to fill the vacancy. The new judge assumes his duties immediately, but his appointive term expires on December 31 following the next regular election If the judge wishes to continue to hold his job, he must file his candidacy for election in November If the majority of voters choose to keep the judge, he will serve a full term

Explain what an initiative is.

a group of people write a proposal for a law and acquire enough signatures on a petition.

What is the difference between the Missouri State Auditor and the State Treasurer?

auditor establishes proper methods of accounting for all public officials of the state to audit the accounts of all state agencies and to make all other audits required by law such as of school districts. Treasurer are to be the custodian of state funds, to determine the amount of state moneys not needed for current operating expenses and to invest that money. The State Treasurer is required when investing state funds to invest the moneys of the state in the safest accounts with the highest yield possible.

Where do legal activities begin?

circuit court

What do Party Whips do?

directs the support of members of their party for the party's programs and objectives

How is the government of Missouri similar to the United States and the other 49 states?

divided into 3 branches

What are some legislative powers of the governor?

enable him to send messages to the legislature covering his suggested budget and legislative program, approve or veto bills, and call special sessions of the General Assembly.

What is the responsibility of the judicial branch?

interpret the law

How is the Missouri executive branch different from the federal government?

the governor doesn't appoint his cabinets but the president does. All six officers are elected independently from each other

What does the Missouri Secretary of State do?

the keeper of the Great Seal of the State of Missouri and custodian of the state's records. Through the years he has, by law, also become the state's chief elections officer, enforcer of business and investment laws, overseer of campaign practices and a major publisher of books and documents.

What is so special about a special session of the General Assembly?

they can be called by the governor at any time, and the General Assembly can call itself if ¾ members of both chambers agree, (U.S. congress doesn't have this power) At a special session, the only matters that may be considered for legislative action are those for which the special session was called. The special session may not last longer than 60 days

Explain what a referendum is.

when a measure is put to the people for a vote by the General Assembly, or by the referendum petition, is approved by the people. The item becomes law upon that approval.