HCHS Government - Missouri Constitution Flashcards | Quizlet
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HCHS Government - Missouri Constitution

Terms in this set (78)

How did Missouri come to be under the United States in 1803?
Missouri was acquired as part of the Louisiana Purchase
What was the controversy surrounding Missouri's admission to the United States during and after 1818?
the issue of slavery
What was the Missouri Compromise?
a compromise that brought Missouri in as a slave state and Maine as a free state
What were the first two capitals of Missouri?
1 - St. Louis
2 - St. Charles
What is the current capital of Missouri?
Jefferson City
What side did Missouri take during the Civil War?
Missouri sided with the North (the Union) during the Civil War
How many senators and U.S. Representatives does Missouri have?
two senators
eight representatives
What is the state nickname?
Show-Me State
How many constitutions has Missouri had?
four (1820, 1865, 1875, 1945)
According to Article 2 of the Missouri Constitution, how is the state government structured?
it is structured like the national (federal) government, with three branches (Governor, General Assembly, state courts)
What are the two ways to amend the Missouri Constitution?
1) petition of signatures + vote by the people of the state
2) referendum (proposal) by the General Assembly + vote by the people of the state
How many members are there of the Missouri State Senate?
34
How many years does a Missouri State Senator serve per term?
4 years
How many terms can a Missouri State Senator serve?
2 terms
What are the qualifications of a Missouri State Senator?
at least 30 years old, resident citizen of Missouri for 3 years, resident of district for 1 year
What is the salary of a Missouri State Senator?
approximately $36,000
How many members are there of the Missouri State House?
163
How many years does a Missouri State House Member serve per term?
2 years
How many terms can a Missouri State House Member serve?
4 terms
What are the qualifications of a Missouri State House Member?
at least 24 years old, resident citizen of Missouri for 3 years, resident of district for 1 year
What is the salary of a Missouri State House Member?
approximately $36,000
What is the term of office for the Governor?
4 years
How many terms can a Governor serve?
2 terms
What are the qualifications to be Governor?
at least 30 years old, citizen of the U.S. for at least 15 years, resident citizen of Missouri for at least 10 years
What is the salary of the Governor?
approximately $133,000
Term of office and salary of the Lieutenant Governor
4 years; ~$86,000
Term of office and salary of the Attorney General
4 years; ~$116,000
Term of office and salary of the Secretary of State
4 years; ~$107,000
Term of office and salary of the State Treasurer
4 years; ~$107,000
Term of office and salary of the Auditor
4 years; ~$107,000
How many judges are on the Missouri Supreme Court, and how long do they serve?
7 judges, 12 year terms (no term limits)
Term of office of Court of Appeals judges
12 year terms
Term of office of Circuit Court judges
6 year terms
Term of office of Associate circuit court judges
4 year terms
What is Missouri's legislative branch called? What is it responsible for?
General Assembly; like Congress, it makes the laws
When on the calendar does the General Assembly's term begin and end?
begins in January; ends in May
How did a 1992 Constitutional Amendment change the General Assembly?
it set term limits on the General Assembly
How is a district in the General Assembly determined?
by the population of the area
What is reapportionment?
changing the size and shape of a district; this happens every ten years, after the census
Who is in charge of the State Senate? When can he or she vote? Who takes over when he or she is gone?
the Lieutenant Governor is the President of the Senate, but can only vote in the event of a tie; when the Lt. Governor is gone, the president pro tempore takes over
Who is in charge of the State House?
the Speaker of the House is in charge of the State House
Who starts impeachment in the Assembly? Who votes to remove in the Assembly?
impeachment starts in the State House; the State Senate votes to remove
How is lawmaking in Missouri similar to that of the national government?
a bill starts in either house, works through committee, is voted on by both houses, and is sent to the Governor, who can veto it
Where does a bill start? What does it need to pass the Assembly?
committee; majority vote
What happens if the Governor does not sign a bill?
if a Governor does not sign a bill, it automatically becomes a law (NOTE: there are no pocket vetoes in Missouri)
What percentage of bills in Missouri become law?
less than 10%
What is a standing committee?
a committee that deals with ongoing issues, such as energy and education
What is a joint committee?
a committee composed of both the State House and State Senate
What is a special committee?
a committee called together to address a short-term bill
What is a conference committee?
a committee that resolves differences between State House and State Senate versions of a bill
What is an Ad Hoc Task Force?
a committee brought together for a specific purpose
What are the three restrictions on the General Assembly?
1) cannot hold other public office jobs
2) must follow legislative ethics and conduct rules
3) cannot have a conflict of interest with business dealings (example: a House member cannot own a business that gets a contract from the Assembly)
What are lobbies? Why are they sometimes seen as a problem?
organized groups that seek to influence House and Senate members; some people think they have too much influence
What does it take to override a Governor's veto?
two-thirds of the State House and State Senate
What is the order of succession behind the Governor?
- Lieutenant Governor
- president pro tempore of the Senate
- Speaker of the House
Governor's power: Federal aid, state land, and highway / airport construction
The governor approves all funds for these things
Governor's power: The state budget
The governor submits the proposed budget to the General Assembly
Governor's power: The state militia
The governor is the commander-in-chief of the state militia
What are the two ways the governor may veto a bill?
- regular veto: governor rejects a bill
- item veto (or line-item veto): in some bills governor can veto just parts of a bill
Duties: Lieutenant Governor
- presides over the State Senate if he or she wants
- serves as Governor if the Governor is incapacitated or killed
Duties: Secretary of State
- handles drivers' licenses
- organizes elections
- keeps the Great Seal of the State of Missouri
Duties: Attorney General
- the chief law enforcement official for the state; prosecutes and sues on behalf of the state
Duties: State Treasurer
- managing and paying out state funds
Duties: State Auditor
- examines and investigates state and local agencies to make sure they are not misusing taxpayer money
What are probate courts?
courts that deal with wills and estates
What are municipal courts?
city courts that deal with misdemeanors and civil matters, such as traffic law
What are the qualifications to be on the Missouri Supreme Court?
30 years old, citizens of the United States for 15 years, voter of the state for 9 years
Who is the current Governor?
Eric Greitens (Republican)
Who is the current Lieutenant Governor?
Mike Parson (Republican)
Who is the current Secretary of State?
Jay Ashcroft (Republican)
Who is the current Attorney General?
Josh Hawley (Republican)
Who is the current State Treasurer?
Eric Schmitt (Republican)
Who is the current State Auditor?
Nicole Galloway (Democrat)
What is an initiative?
a proposal to change a bill that starts with gathering signatures on a petition and ends with a vote by the people
What is a referendum?
a proposal to change a bill that starts with the General Assembly and ends with a vote by the people
Where does Missouri get its money?
1. Taxes (like income tax, sales tax)
2. Federal government money
How does Missouri spend its money?
1. Social services (like welfare)
2. Education
3. Transportation (roads)
What is home rule?
Where cities are granted the ability to take actions without permission from Missouri's legislative branch (the General Assembly)
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