Virginia State Government

Virginia Constitution

Document that defines and limits the powers of state government and the basic rights of the citizens of Virginia

commonwealth

Term for a political community founded for the common good

General Assembly

State legislative body

biennial

Taking place every two years

governor

Elected executive head of a state

lieutenant governor

Executive officer of a state who is next in rank to the governor; like a vice-president

attorney general

Elected position, serves the state of Virginia's head lawyer and legal expert

line item veto

To veto or reject only specific parts of a bill

expressed powers

powers directly stated in the constitution

reserved powers

Powers that the Constitution does not give to the national government that are kept by the states

Delegate

A person appointed or elected to represent others, also called a representative. Member of the General Assembly's lower house.

concurrent powers

Powers shared by the state and national government

federalism

A form of government in which power is divided between the federal, or national government and the states

Mandate

an official order or commission to do something.