Virginia's Three Branches
This branch of Virginia's government is responsible for interpreting the laws and includes the Supreme Court of Virginia
What is the Judicial Branch?
This is the first step in the lawmaking process, which can come from a legislator or a citizen.
What is an introduce an Idea?
This system of government divides power between the national (federal) government and the state governments.
What is Federalism?
These are the three types of local government found in Virginia.
What are Counties, Cities, and Towns?
These political entities in Virginia, such as the Pamunkey and Chickahominy, have the right to govern themselves.
What are Tribal Governments?
This is the bicameral legislative body of Virginia, made up of the House of Delegates and the Virginia Senate.
What is the General Assembly?
This occurs after a bill is introduced, where a small group of legislators reviews and debates the proposal.
What is Committee Work?
According to the U.S. Constitution, these powers are kept by the states because they are not given to the national government.
What are Reserved Powers?
This state-level body is the source of all power for local governments in Virginia.
What is the Virginia General Assembly?
This term describes the right of a government, like a tribal government, to be self-governing and independent.
What is Sovereignty?
This official serves as the head of Virginia's executive branch and is elected to a four-year term.
Who is the Governor?
The Governor can use this power to reject a bill entirely or use a "line-item" version to reject specific parts of a budget bill.
What is a Veto?
This Federalist Paper, written by James Madison, argued that a strong central government was needed to control the effects of "factions".
What is Federalist No. 10?
This is the specific name for a local law passed by a Board of Supervisors or City Council.
What is an Ordinance?
Tribal governments are primarily funded through these two sources.
What are Federal funds and tribal enterprises?
These groups within the executive branch help enforce rules in specific areas like transportation or health and can issue licenses
What are Regulatory Boards?
To promote an informed citizenry, the General Assembly establishes minimum standards for these through the legislative process.
What are local schools?
Shared powers between the state and national governments, such as collecting taxes or building roads, are known by this term.
What are Concurrent Powers?
This official serves as the executive lead for a city or town and is responsible for enforcing local laws.
Who is a Mayor? (Also accepts County Administrator)
An international event, like this 2020 pandemic, can force local governments to create new health and safety rules.
What is COVID-19?
The system that allows each branch of state government to limit the power of the others, such as the Governor’s power to veto a bill.
What are Checks and Balances?
When the Governor acts as the "Chief Legislator," they are primarily performing this role.
What is proposing a legislative agenda?
Federalist No. 51 emphasized the importance of these two concepts to ensure no part of the government becomes too strong.
What are Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances?
Local governments are primarily funded through these two types of taxes.
What are Property and Sales taxes?
This level of government is responsible for providing services like trash collection, zoning, and police.
What is Local Government?