Missouri

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." This quote simply means that the people are in charge of state government.

10. How many departments are in the Executive Branch?

14

When and where was Missouri's first constitution written?

1820 in St. Louis

16. How many terms may a governor serve?

2 years

29. How long is a term for a Missouri senator?

4 years

12. Explain what an initiative is.

A group of people write a proposal for a law and acquire enough signatures on a petition. When a measure proposed by initiative is approved by the people it becomes a law of the state.

Who was Missouri's first governor?

Alexander McNair

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

All six officers are elected individually and independently of one another, which means that the Governor has no basic control over the other five executive officials. But in the Federal government, there's a president who appoints and directs the cabinet.

30. Why are half of all senators elected every two years?

Because it ensures that there will always be 17 experienced senators

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

Because it's divided into the 3 branches: legislative, executive, and judicial

17. What are the qualifications for being governor of Missouri?

Being at least 30 years of age, a citizen of the United States for at least 15 years and a resident of Missouri for at least 10 years.

24. What is the name of the Missouri legislature?

General Assembly

9. What six offices are in the Executive Branch?

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

15. When and how often is the governor elected?

He is elected by the voters of the state in the presidential election year and serves a term of four years.

6. When was Missouri first admitted to the Union?

In 1821

8. When was the present constitution written?

In 1945

14. Who is the governor of Missouri?

Jay Nixon

28. What is Missouri's state capital?

Jefferson City

26. When does the Missouri legislature meet?

On the first Wednesday after the first Monday in January every year.

20. What are the responsibilities of the Lieutenant Governor?

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

19. What are some legislative powers of the governor?

Send messages to the legislature covering his suggested budget and legislative program, approve or veto bills, and call special sessions of the General Assembly. Because of his power to regulate appropriation bills much of his attention must be devoted to money issues.

What document helped guide the delegates in writing the constitution?

The Constitution of Kentucky

18. What are some of the executive duties of the governor?

The Governor's primary duty is to carry out the laws of the state. 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.

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

The chamber with the largest membership is the House of Representatives with 163 members. The smaller chamber is the Senate, which is made up of 34 members.

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

The major provisions of the first constitution were people who vote get to regulate the state government, the voters could abolish the state constitution just partly or completely, the 13 articles that covered: government, legislature, executive and judicial branches, and it provided basic guidelines for banks, schools, the state military and to amend the constitution.

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

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.

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

The state 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 school districts. The duties of the treasurer are to be custodian of state funds, to determine the amount of state money not needed for current operation expenses and to invest the money.

21. What does the Missouri Secretary of State do?

The state's chief elections officer, enforcer of business and investment laws, overseer of campaign practices and a major publisher of books and documents.

23. Explain the duties of the Attorney General.

They prosecute or defend all appeals to which the state is a party. This includes every felony criminal case that is appealed to the Missouri Supreme Court and courts of appeal. He is also required to represent various state officials, boards and agencies in appeals taken from their decisions and orders. The Attorney General has the responsibility of giving official opinions to the General Assembly, the Governor, 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.

11. 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.