The NC Executive & Legislative Branches

North Carolina’s Governor The NC State Constitution spells out the duties and qualifications of governor Governor Roy Cooper

North Carolina’s Governor Chief of State, the symbolic leader who speaks for North Carolina Chief Executive, responsible for seeing that state policies are carried out.

Roles of the North Carolina Governor The governor: appoints many key state officials, coordinates the work of most state agencies, administers and proposes the state budget

North Carolina’s Governor The governor may grant pardons to convicted criminals or commute sentences- (reduce a criminal’s sentence) The governor represents NC when dealing with other states and the federal government

North Carolina’s Governor The governor’s term is for 4 years; the state constitution limits the governor to two consecutive terms (1977 Amendment)

North Carolina’s Governor To run for office of governor, Must be at least 30 years old US citizen for at least 5 years, Lived in NC 2 years before election

Lieutenant Governor The Lieutenant Governor Elected to a 4 year term; They automatically succeed the governor if their office becomes vacant for any reason

Lieutenant Governor Serves as president of the state Senate and serves on various commissions and boards Unlike the president and VP, the governor and lieutenant governor run for office and are elected separately; sometimes they have been from different parties

Other Executive Officers The governor appoints 10 head administrators to oversee separate departments; This is called the cabinet Dept. of Administration Dept. of Commerce Dept. of Correction Dept. of Crime Control & Public Safety Dept. of Cultural Resources Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources Dept. of Health & Human Services Dept. of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Dept. of Revenue Dept. of Transportation

Other Executive Officers The governor appoints heads of the cabinet and is in charge of what they do; other departments report to executives elected directly by NC’s voters

Council of State The voters of NC elect 8 heads of state agencies; these executives are called the Council of State Attorney General Commissioner of Ag. & Consumer Services Commissioner of Insurance Commissioner of Labor Secretary of State Superintendent of Public Instruction State Auditor State Treasurer

Offices of Council Each of these offices is elected to a four year term; unlike the governor and lieutenant governor, they can be reelected to an unlimited number of terms The 8 Council of State departments operate independent of the governor

The Council of State Thousands of people work for NC executive agencies, most are “career employees” who are selected on the basis of their qualifications; most agencies are in Raleigh These employees are working for the largest segment of state government, the executive branch

NC Legislative Branch The Legislative Branch of North Carolina’s state government is called the General Assembly Makes two types of laws: Statutes – apply to everyone in the state Local or Specific laws – just to certain areas in the state Major power deals with finances. How much to spend and how much to tax? Other powers: ex. Legislative Oversight – review of government operations

NC General Assembly 50 Members 120 Members Presiding Officer: Senate House of Representatives 50 Members Presiding Officer: Lieutenant Governor Elected Chamber Leader: President Pro Tempore 120 Members Elected Chamber Leader: Speaker of the House Presiding Officer

NC Legislative Branch State is divided into districts. Apportionment: Distribution of seats according to population. All election districts must be equal in population. Reynolds vs. Sims (1964): “Each person one vote”. Legislators must be US citizens, live in the district, and meet an age requirement. Legislative process is the same as the national level