Federalism
This clause in the U.S. Constitution says that federal laws are the “supreme law of the land,” meaning they override state laws when conflicts arise.
What is the Supremacy Clause?
Virginia’s legislative branch is called this, and it has two chambers: the Senate and the House of Delegates.
What is the General Assembly?
This elected official serves as the head of Virginia’s executive branch and is responsible for enforcing the laws of the state.
Who is the Governor?
This branch of Virginia’s government interprets laws, ensures justice, and upholds the state constitution.
What is the Judicial Branch?
Citizens can influence lawmaking by contacting lawmakers to create or change a law. This action is known as doing what?
What is petitioning the government?
Printing money and making treaties are examples of these powers that are specifically listed in the Constitution and belong only to the national government.
What are expressed (or enumerated) powers?
Because Virginia’s General Assembly has two chambers — the Senate and the House of Delegates — it is described by this term.
What is bicameral?
This is a written command issued by the Governor that has the force of law, often used to manage the operations of state government.
What is an executive order?
Name two of the four levels of Virginia’s court system, starting with the lowest.
What are the District Court, Circuit Court, Court of Appeals of Virginia, and the Virginia Supreme Court?
This type of ballot measure allows voters to directly decide on a proposed law or policy, rather than having legislators vote on it.
What is a referendum?
According to the 10th Amendment, powers not delegated to the national government are kept by the states. Setting up local schools is an example of this type of power.
What are reserved powers?
The General Assembly has the power to make laws, levy taxes, approve the state budget, and even override this action by the governor.
What is a veto?
Name two powers the Governor has to check or balance the other branches, such as forgiving state crimes or rejecting bills.
What are granting pardons and vetoing legislation?
When Virginia courts declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional, they are exercising this important power.
What is judicial review?
When citizens propose a new law or constitutional amendment and collect signatures to place it on the ballot, this process is called what?
What is an initiative?
These are powers that both the federal and state governments can exercise, such as collecting taxes, conducting elections, make laws or enforcing laws.
What are concurrent powers?
Besides making laws, the General Assembly can also use this power to remove the governor or state judges for wrongdoing.
What is impeachment?
Virginia’s executive branch includes agencies like the Departments of Education, Transportation, and Health. What are two main functions of these agencies?
What are enforcing laws and implementing public policies?
In Virginia, who appoints state judges and justices to serve in the courts?
Who is the Governor (with confirmation by the General Assembly)?
When individuals or interest groups try to influence lawmakers to make decisions that favor their cause, this activity is known as what?
What is lobbying?
Federal money given to states for programs like highways or schools is called a grant-in-aid, but when the federal government requires states to follow laws without providing enough funding—like No Child Left Behind—it’s called this.
What is an unfunded mandate?
Use the mnemonic “I Can Dance Very Slowly” to remember the steps of how a bill becomes a law in Virginia. What does each letter stand for?
I – Introduce, C – Committee, D – Debate, V – Vote, S – Send (to the Governor)
These independent groups oversee specific professions such as barbers, electricians, and architects to make sure they meet state standards.
What are regulatory boards?
The Judicial Branch checks the Legislative and Executive branches by doing this to laws or executive actions that violate the Constitution.
What is declaring them unconstitutional?
How do referendums and initiatives differ from the traditional legislative process?
They allow citizens to directly vote on laws or policies instead of relying only on their elected representatives to make those decisions.