Ms. Hughitt`s 3 Branches of VA

The three branches of the Virginia state government. (As presented by Ms. Hughitt) “Ummmm…”

“Isn’t that like the President or something?”

Not quite… 

So guys, what are the three branches of Virginia’s state government? ◦ What can you tell me about each of them?

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Oh, and just where does the President fit into all of this?

Oh that’s right… 

The President is at the National level of our government, isn’t he?

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What branch of government is President Obama the head of? (This means in charge of.)

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Who is the head of this branch at the state level?

The Governor of course! 

The Governor is the head of the executive branch at the state level of government.

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Each state has it’s own Governor.

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So does that mean that we,Virginia, have our own Governor too?

Like a boss! 

Yeah, we sure do!

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So who is Virginia’s Governor? ◦ Anybody know?

Governor Bob McDonnell 

No, not McDonald…

◦ McDonnell

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Okay… so? 

So now we know the who of the Executive branch of Virginia’s government … let’s talk about the what!

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What is so special about the Executive branch of government?

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What does it do?

The purpose of the Executive branch… 

Well, just like in the national level of our government, the purpose of the Executive branch is to make sure that laws are carried out. ◦ What’s the difference? ◦ Well the Governor enforces the state laws and the President enforces the national laws.

The purpose of the Judicial branch… 

So what’s the deal with the Judicial branch of Virginia’s government? ◦ What does it do? ◦ What purpose does it have? The judicial branch does two main things: ◦ It decides cases about people accused of breaking the law. ◦ It also decides whether or not a law agrees with Virginia’s Constitution.

So what’s the deal with the Judicial branch? The national level of the Judicial branch or system is headed by the United States Supreme Court.  The state level of the Judicial branch or system is headed by the Virginia Supreme Court. 

◦ There are other courts in Virginia, but the Virginia Supreme Court is the “highest” and has the most authority of any court in Virginia.

The Court System • Virginia’s court system functions kind of like a pyramid. Most of the power is at the top and the least amount of power is at the bottom. • The Virginia Supreme Court is the “highest” court in Virginia. • The Supreme Court can overturn the ruling of a lower court.

Virginia Supreme Court Court of Appeals Of Virginia The Circuit Court General District Court Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts

So who makes these laws? 

Legislative branch of Virginia’s state government is in charge of making state laws.

So who is in the Legislative branch?

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George Allen