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

House of Delegates

Lower house of the Virginia General Assembly made up of 100 member

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

commerce

Activity of buying and selling, especially on a large scale

mandate

An offical order to do something

Virginia Senate

Upper house of the Virginia General Assembly made up of 40 members