Get VA Standard CE.7a

The units of local government in Virginia are counties, towns, and cities. Local governments exercise legislative, executive, and judicial powers. Each Virginia county has an elected board of supervisors, which exercises legislative powers, enacting ordinances (local laws) and adopting an annual budget.

Virginia has a republican form of government with local federalism. The state of Virginia currently runs under the amended Constitution of 1970, and...

The first colonial legislature was the Virginia House of Burgesses, established in 1619. The colonies along the eastern coast of North America were formed under different types of charter, but most developed representative democratic governments to rule their territories.

The government of Virginia combines the three branches of authority in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The current Governor of Virginia is Ralph Northam. ... Under the Constitution, the government is composed of three branches, the legislative, the executive and the judicial.

The government of Virginia is divided into three branches. The General Assembly is the legislative branch of the Virginia government that makes state laws. It is divided into two parts the Senate and the House of Delegates. The governor heads the executive branch of the state government.

"A commonwealth is 'a state in which the supreme power is vested in the people.' ... When Virginia adopted its first constitution in 1776, the term commonwealth was reintroduced, most likely to emphasize that Virginia's new government was based upon the sovereignty of the people united for the common good, or common weal.

The governor is responsible for ensuring that the laws of the state are faithfully executed and is responsible for the safety of the state, serving as commander-in-chief of the Virginia Militia. The governor must convene the legislature when two-thirds of each house calls for a special session (§ 5).

A governor's official duties can include signing bills into law, serving as commander-in-chief of the state's National Guard and militia forces, convening special sessions of the state legislature, delivering a "state of the state" address to citizens, granting commutations and pardons to prisoners and appointing ...

Role and powers The governor heads the government's executive branch in each state or territory and, depending on the individual jurisdiction, may have considerable control over government budgeting, the power of appointment of many officials (including many judges), and a considerable role in legislation.

The lieutenant governor serves as the President of the Senate of Virginia and is first in the line of succession to the governor; in the event the governor dies, resigns, or otherwise leaves office, the lieutenant governor becomes governor.

The states use a bicameral system, meaning each state has two legislative chambers, much like the federal legislative system. ... This branch of state government is responsible for creating state legislation that can become state law. They are also responsible for approving the state budget and initiating tax legislation.

State and local governments exercise important functions in the United States. They plan and pay for most roads, run public schools, provide water, organize police and fire services, establish zoning regulations, license professions, and arrange elections for their citizens.

Enforcing laws regarding the public safety is considered as a primary function of state government. A state government is just a limited agency that is elected by the people of the state. It has limited powers upon people. It has the ability to rule and make decisions for the development of the state.

Local government is responsible for: the function of and delivery of a complete range of services and infrastructure required by their individual communities. ... devising, approving and enforcing local laws relating to building, planning and the health and wellbeing of each individual.

The central government oversees finance, commerce, national defense, foreign affairs, and all laws 'necessary and proper'. The roles of the central government have also expanded over the years to include regulatory oversight and protection of the rights of citizens.