Missouri The Constitution and Government

United States Government and Politics

Fall 2014

Fun Facts

Fun Facts Statehood: 10 August 1821

Capital: Jefferson City

4 constitutions 1820 (when the state entered the Union) 1865 (end of the Civil War) 1875 (end of Reconstruction) 1945 (toppling of the Pendergast Machine)

Legislative Branch

Legislative Branch Legislative branch is bicameral

House of Representatives Senate

Known as the General Assembly

Legislative BranchHouse of

Representatives

Twenty-four years old

Qualified Missouri voter for two years before the election

Resident of the district he/she is chosen to represent for one year before the election

Senate

Thirty years old

Qualified Missouri voter for three years before the election

Resident of the district he/she is chosen to represent for one year before the election

Legislative BranchHouse of Representatives

Two year terms

Limited to four terms

163 members

Annual salary is $35,915.00

Senate

Four year terms

Limited to two terms

34 members

Annual salary is $35,915.00

Legislative Branch Leadership

President Pro Tem of the Senate Tom Dempsey (Republican; Saint Charles, 23)

Speaker of the House Tim Jones (Republican; 110)

Majority Floor Leaders Senate: Ron Richard (Republican; Joplin, 32) House of Representatives: John Diehl (Republican; 89)

Minority Floor Leaders Senate: Joseph Keaveny (Democrat; Saint Louis, 4) House of Representatives: Jacob Hummel (Democrat; 81)

Legislative Branch Legislative committees scrutinize each bill in their assigned

area and decide if they should recommend that bill become a law or not

Committee is responsible for reading the bill, doing research, listening to experts, hearing public opinion, et cetera

Options: 1. Pass (bill should pass in original form) 2. Do Pass – Amended (bill should pass with recommended

amendments from the committee) 3. Do Not Pass (bill should be considered but not passed) 4. Without Recommendation (no opinion; chamber should

decide)

Executive Branch

Executive Branch Leader of the executive branch is the governor

Governor qualifications: 1. Thirty years old 2. Citizen of the United States for fifteen years prior to

election 3. Resident of Missouri for ten years prior to election

Term of office is four years

Limited to two terms

Current governor: Jay Nixon (Democrat)

Executive Branch Powers and duties of the governor:

1. Choosing directors of state agencies 2. Selecting citizens for boards and official groups 3. Filling empty positions in county offices 4. Appointing judges 5. Commander in Chief of the Missouri National Guard 6. Pardon individuals who have committed crimes 7. Call special sessions of the legislature 8. Deliver State of the State (January) 9. Submit budget 10. Sign bills into law or veto them

Executive Branch Sixteen departments

Lieutenant Governor Current: Peter Kinder (Republican) Must meet same qualifications as governor President of the Missouri Senate

May cast tie-breaking vote Serves on numerous boards and official groups Becomes governor in the case of death, resignation, or

disability of the governor Very similar to the role of Vice President of the United

States

Executive Branch Secretary of State

Current: Jason Kander (Democrat) Oversees elections, takes care of historic records,

oversees the State Library, oversees the securities industry, and serves as the filing agency for business records

Guardian of the Great Seal of the State of Missouri, validates all official documents for the governor

Publishes the official manual of the State of Missouri

Executive Branch State Auditor

Current: Tom Schweich (Republican) Inspects the finances of all state agencies and official

groups as well as some counties in Missouri May be asked to examine local governments by

citizens Responsible for ensuring Missouri tax dollars are spent

responsibly

Executive Branch State Treasurer

Current: Clint Zweifel (Democrat) Guardian of state’s money Manages and invests the state’s money Oversees the Unclaimed Property Program which

attempts to return forgotten funds deposited in banks to their owners

Executive Branch Attorney General of Missouri

Current: Chris Koster (Democrat since 2007; switched political affiliation in 2007)

Lawyer for the state Represents the interests of Missouri government

agencies and citizens Gives legal advice to statewide officers, the

legislature, and other agencies Must be in an attorney and has to live in Jefferson City

while in office

Judicial Branch

Judicial Branch Criminal vs. civil cases

Circuit Courts 45 circuit courts Organized into districts Original jurisdiction Most judges are chosen through popular election Judges are chosen by the the merit-based non-partisan

court plan in Clay, Jackson, Platte, and Saint Louis counties and the city of Saint Louis

Term of office is six years

Judicial Branch Court of Appeals

3 courts of appeals Organized into three districts Appellate jurisdiction Judges are selected through the Missouri Non-partisan

Court Plan Selection by Appellate Judicial Commission Appointed by the governor Retention through voters during elections

Twelve year terms Must retire by age 70 unless they apply for special

senior status

Judicial Branch Missouri Supreme Court

Exclusive jurisdiction over the following: Validity of United States statute or treaty Validity of Missouri statute or constitutional provision State’s revenue laws Challenges to state-wide official’s rights to hold office Imposition of the death penalty

If a case does not fit one of these five areas, the Supreme Court will not hear it and the Court of Appeals has final jurisdiction

Other cases can be transferred to the Supreme Court at their discretion if the issue is important or of general interest, the court feels a law should be re-examined, or the lower court’s decision conflicts with an earlier appellate decision

Judicial Branch Missouri Supreme Court (continued)

Twelve year terms Missouri Plan to select judges Seven judges sit on the court Elect the Chief Justice for two year terms