Civics 3.2 N.C.'s State and Local Structure of Government

N.C. Constitution establishes framework for state government and creates three branches of government

Legislative Branch - General Assembly

House of Representatives (120)

Senate (50)

Each serve 2 year terms

Role is to prepare bills which become statues (state laws)

Executive branch - Governor and Council of State

Duties of Governor - recommend budget, ensures state laws are followed, commander-in-chief of state military forces (National Guard), and has the power to call special sessions of the legislature

Also has the authority to veto legislation - only granted power in 1996

NC the last state to give veto power to a governor

Council of State - several elected department heads

Lieutenant Governor - state's 2nd highest executive officer

Lt. Gov. presides over the Senate but can only vote during a tie breaker

1st in line for succession

Gov. and Lt. Gov. serves 4 year terms and can only once consecutively

consists of heads of various state departments

appointed while Council is elected

Judicial branch - state courts and responsible for deciding if the laws of the state are being properly applied and that legislation passed by the General Assembly is consistent with the NC Constitution