1. State Government

2. In the US Constitution, power was given to the State governments. These powers are called “reserved” powers. In the US Constitution, power was given to the State governments. These powers are called “reserved” powers. The 10 th Amendment to the Constitution reserves powers to the states. The 10 th Amendment to the Constitution reserves powers to the states. This system separating powers between the levels of government is called “Federalism” This system separating powers between the levels of government is called “Federalism”

3. State government State governments are similar to the National government in structure State governments are similar to the National government in structure The state of Virginia has 3 branches of government The state of Virginia has 3 branches of government Executive Executive Legislative Legislative Judicial Judicial

4. State Executive Branch Headed by the governor Headed by the governor Also Includes the Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and the state cabinet. Also Includes the Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and the state cabinet. The governor can be elected to two, non- consecutive, terms in office The governor can be elected to two, non- consecutive, terms in office Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General are also elected to 4 year terms. Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General are also elected to 4 year terms.

5. State Legislative Branch The state legislative branch is a bicameral legislature called the General Assembly. The state legislative branch is a bicameral legislature called the General Assembly. The upper house is the Senate and the lower house is the House of Delegates The upper house is the Senate and the lower house is the House of Delegates

6. State Judicial Branch The state courts are a 4 level court system The state courts are a 4 level court system State Supreme court State Supreme court State court of appeals State court of appeals Circuit court Circuit court General District Court (juvenile and Domestic relations court are in this court) General District Court (juvenile and Domestic relations court are in this court)

7. SIMILARITIES NATIONALEXECUTIVE (PRESIDENT) LEGISLATIVE (CONGRESS) JUDICIAL (3 COURT SYSTEM) STATEEXECUTIVE (GOVERNOR) LEGISLATIVE (GENERAL ASSEMBLY) JUDICIAL (4 COURT SYSTEM)

8. Similarities The General Assembly works like Congress in the way it makes laws for the state. The General Assembly works like Congress in the way it makes laws for the state. The General Assembly makes laws that are focused on five areas: The General Assembly makes laws that are focused on five areas: Education Education Health Health State Budget State Budget Environment Environment Revenue Revenue

9. Similarities The Governor is similar to the President in that he performs many jobs like the president (Chief of his party, chief legislator, etc.) He carries out the laws and administers the state bureaucracy like the president The Governor is similar to the President in that he performs many jobs like the president (Chief of his party, chief legislator, etc.) He carries out the laws and administers the state bureaucracy like the president

10. Differences State and national governments differ in what they focus on. State and national governments differ in what they focus on. The national government focuses on: The national government focuses on: Foreign policy Foreign policy Commerce Commerce Defense Defense The State government focuses on: The State government focuses on: Health Health Safety Safety Welfare Welfare

11. PROBLEMS WITH FEDERALISM Tensions exist when the Federal Government's mandates (orders) require state actions without giving enough funding (money) to carry them out. Tensions exist when the Federal Government's mandates (orders) require state actions without giving enough funding (money) to carry them out.