1. The NC Executive & Legislative Branches

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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

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

7. 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

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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