Georgia’s State

Government

Georgia’s Constitution

A new constitution ratified by the people of Georgia in 1982 became effective July 1, 1983.

Georgia has had a total of ten constitutions. 

Georgia’s Executive Branch

The Governor and

Executive Departments

Executive Branch

largest branch of state government enforces law and carries out programs such as

education and transportationchief official- Governor

elected for a 4-year termcan serve 2 consecutive terms (8 yrs.) 

His powers include:proposing new programs and lawsproposing a budgetvetoing legislationappointing members of boards in state government

Executive Departments

The heads of executive departments are elected by the voters for 4-year terms.  the Lieutenant GovernorSecretary of StateAttorney GeneralCommissioner of InsuranceSuperintendent of SchoolsCommissioner of LaborCommissioner of Agriculture

Georgia’s GovernorNathan Deal

Sworn in on 1/10/11Georgia’s 82nd Governor23 years in private law practicecriminal prosecutor, a juvenile court judge12 years in the state Senate 9 terms in the U.S. Congress.

Governor Deal

Married 44 yearsfour children and six grandchildrenBorn in Millen Grew up in Sandersville. His father, a high school agriculture teacherAttended Mercer University in MaconServed in the United States Army, where he

earned the rank of captain.

Lieutenant GovernorCasey Cagle

Lowell S. "Casey" Cagle was born in Gainesville, Georgia.

He is a former member of the Georgia General Assembly

Cagle defeated Democrat Jim Martin on November 7, 2006, to become the first Republican Lieutenant Governor in Georgia's history.

Secretary of StateLifelong resident of AthensBachelor of Science degree

in Agriculture.Secretary Kemp was sworn

into office on January 8, 2010.

The Georgia Secretary of State’s office oversees elections, corporations, securities, and professional licensing boards, and also controls the state archives and the Capitol museum.

Georgia’s Legislative Branch

The General Assembly

Legislative Branch

Georgia General Assemblyformed in 1777 (older than the U.S. Congress)in 1789 it became bicameralHouse of Representatives: 180 members

Speaker of the House: Leader(majority party) Senate: 56 members: Leader: Lt. Gov. or

President Pro TemporeBoth serve 2-year terms

Legislative Leadership

Presiding over the House of Representatives is the Speaker, a member of that body elected every two years by the membership. 

In the Senate, the Lieutenant Governor serves as presiding officer. 

Your Representative in the GA General Assembly House of Representatives

Jan Tankersley

District 158

Republican

Represents part of Bryan and part of Bulloch Counties

Elected in 2010

Your Senator in the GA General Assembly Senate

Senator Buddy CarterRepublicanElected to the State

Senate in 1994Represents coastal

Georgia's 1st Senate District

2005 - elected to Georgia House of Representatives

2009 - Nov. 22, elected to Georgia Senate

                       

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Georgia’s Judicial Branch

State Courts

Judicial Branch

Consists of courts of limited, general and appellate jurisdiction. 

Judges are elected.Georgia has forty-eight superior court

circuits, with each circuit containing from one to eight counties and served by one or more judges.  Each county has its own superior court.

Appeals Courts

Court of Appealstwelve judges can hear any appeal from a trial court 

Supreme Court seven justices the state’s highest appellate body 

Georgia’s Supreme Court

CAROL W. HUNSTEIN, Chief Justice GEORGE H. CARLEY, Presiding JusticeROBERT BENHAM, Justice HUGH P. THOMPSON, JusticeP. HARRIS HINES, Justice HAROLD D. MELTON, JusticeDAVID E. NAHMIAS, Justice