State Legislative Branch
The State Legislative Branch is called the General Assembly. The General Assembly is a bicameral legislature because it is made up of two houses, the Virginia Senate and the House of Delegates. Every year, the General Assembly meets for a fixed number of days, called a session.
The State Legislative Branch writes laws and takes action in response to problems or issues for Virginia. Individuals and interest groups help to shape legislation in the state of Virginia. They get the power to make laws from the United States Constitution. The 10th Amendment says "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."
The powers of the State Legislative Branch are:
The State Legislative Branch writes laws and takes action in response to problems or issues for Virginia. Individuals and interest groups help to shape legislation in the state of Virginia. They get the power to make laws from the United States Constitution. The 10th Amendment says "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."
The powers of the State Legislative Branch are:
- Education - The General Assembly determines who is qualified to teach, what will be taught, and how many school days students will attend to promote active, informed citizens. For example, the state establishes minimum standards for local schools by requiring all schools to have their students take the SOL's yearly.
- Public Health - The General Assembly promotes and protects Virginian’s Health. One example of this is making sure that programs like Medicare and Free and Reduced Lunch programs are distributed correctly.
- Environment - The General Assembly promotes the natural resources we have in VA and ensures that they are protected. One of the ways that Virginia does this is by making sure that the water quality in the Chesapeake Bay is protected.
- State Budget - The General Assembly approves a biennial (two year) budget which is prepared by the governor (head of the state). This may include a new addition like adding $10 million to the state budget for road projects.
- Taxes - The General Assembly levies and collects taxes. For example, the General Assembly may determine to collect more income and sales taxes, or raise the charge for fishing and hunting licenses.