Maine Government

Read the information provided below and answer the questions as you go along on a separate piece of paper. There may be some questions that require you to do a Google search or watch a video.

In October of 1819, William King led a group of people who met to create a State Constitution. In 1820, Maine became the 23rd state in the nation as part of the Missouri Compromise. Part of the constitution created Maine's government. The Maine State Constitution states that the governing body of Maine shall consist of three co-equal branches known as the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches.

Executive Branch - Enforces the Laws

The Executive Branch is responsible for execution of the laws created by the legislature. This branch is headed by the Governor, whose powers include the ability to call the Senate and House of Representatives into session and to either approve or veto any bills that may be passed by these two branches of the legislature. The Governor is elected every four years, and no individual may serve more than two consecutive terms in this office.

Legislative Branch - Makes the Laws

The Legislative Branch has the power to make laws. Maine's Legislature is a bi-cameral Legislature made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate has 35 members who are elected every 2 years, and the House has 151 members who are also elected every two years. In Maine, no Senator or Representative may serve more than four consecutive terms. For a Bill to become a law, it must pass through four steps in both the House of Representatives and the Senate; 1st reading, 2nd reading, engrossment and then enactment. If the House members vote to enact a bill, it is sent to the Senate for enactment and then to the Governor to sign into law. The Governor may either approve or veto any law. The Legislature however, can override a veto by a two-thirds majority vote by members of both the Senate and the House.

Judicial Branch - Interprets the Laws

The Judicial Branch has the power to interpret Maine laws. The Courts of Maine are headed by the Supreme Judicial Court. This branch must also answer any requests by either the Governor or the Legislature to issue an opinion on current laws or pending bills. All judicial officers are appointed by the Governor and serve a term of 7 years.


The State of Maine has three Constitutional Officers and one Statutory Officer. The three Constitutional Officers are the Secretary of State, the State Treasurer, and State Attorney General. The Officer created by Maine Statute is the State Auditor.

The Secretary of State is responsible for keeping and preserving the records of all official acts and proceedings of the Governor, the Senate, and the House of Representatives. Among other duties, Maine's Secretary of State is also charged with safeguarding the Electoral process and protecting the motoring public by promoting the safe use of Maine roadways. The Secretary of State is elected by Senators and Representatives, by ballot, at a joint convention of the Legislature and serves for two years. The Secretary of State may not serve for more than 4 consecutive terms.


The State Treasurer is responsible for recording, collecting and investing all of the state's money. The treasurer is elected by Senators and Representatives, by ballot, at a joint convention of the Legislature and serves for two years. The State Treasurer may not serve for more than 4 consecutive terms.


The State Attorney General is the chief lawyer for the state. The Attorney General represents the State of Maine and its many agencies in court cases. Some of the areas investigated by the Attorney General are consumer fraud, suspicious deaths, and other major crimes. The Attorney General is elected by Senators and Representatives, by ballot, at a joint convention of the Legislature and serves for two years. The Attorney General may not serve for more than 4 consecutive terms.


The State Auditor is the chief officer charged with examining all of the State's financial records and reporting the findings to the Legislature each year. The State Auditor is elected by Senators and Representatives, by ballot, at a joint convention of the Legislature and serves for two years. The State Auditor may not serve for more than 2 consecutive terms.

Maine State House

Built of Hallowell granite, the center section of the Maine State House was designed by Charles Bulfinch. Rising upon a knoll above the surrounding city, the four-story building has a 300 foot front with a colonnaded portico in the center, and two 75 foot wings facing east.

The cornerstone was laid in 1829, and the structure was completed three years later. In 1911, it was enlarged according to designs by G. Henri Desmond. The demolition of almost all of the old building, saving the front and rear walls, was necessary. The grounds were graded, additions made to the wings, and a new dome of higher proportion replaced the former one. This was surmounted by a statue, the draped female figure of Wisdom, designed by W. Clark Noble of Gardiner, and made of copper plated with gold.

The Governor's offices are on the second floor as well as the Hall of Flags and the extensive Law Library. At either end of the third floor are the House of Representatives and Senate Chambers. Throughout the building are portraits of Governors and other outstanding men and women who have served Maine throughout her history as a province and a state.

Questions

Answer the follow questions on a separate sheet of paper using the information you read above.

  1. When did Maine become the 23rd state?

  2. The Maine Executive branch is headed by the Governor. Who is the current Governor of Maine? (hint: you may need to Google this one)

  3. How many members make up the Maine Senate?

  4. How many members make up the Maine House or Representatives?

  5. The Governor has the right to approve or veto any law. By what majority must the Senate and House vote to override it?

  6. All judicial offices are appointed by the Governor and serve a term of how many years?

  7. Who is responsible for keeping and preserving the records of all official acts and proceedings of the Governor, the Senate, and the House of Representatives?

  8. Who is in charge of investigating consumer fraud, suspicious deaths, and other major crimes?

  9. Who is charged with examining all of the State's financial records and reporting the findings to the Legislature each year?

  10. What is the Hall of Flags? (hint: you will need to do a Google search for this)

The Path to Maine Laws

Watch the video below to learn the path to Maine laws. On a separate piece of paper, write a summary (3-5 sentences) of the steps for an idea to become a law.

The Path to Maine Lawmaking How An Idea Becomes Law.mp4

Maine Government WebQuest

This assignment is meant to guide your exploration of the Maine State Legislature website. Use the links provided for each question to start your exploration. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.


1. Visit the Maine State Senate website to answer Part A, B, and C of this question.
(http://legislature.maine.gov/senate)

A. What is the name of the Senate President?

B. How many State Senators does Maine have?

C. Who is the senator for the county that you live in?


2. Visit the Maine State Representatives website to answer Part A and B of this question.

(http://legislature.maine.gov/house/house)

A. Who serves as the Representative for Dover-Foxcroft?

B. What town(s) does the Speaker of the House represent?


3. Visit the Maine Revisor of Statutes website to answer Part A and B of this question.

(http://legislature.maine.gov/ros)

A. What are the four main functions of this office?

B. Who is the Deputy Director in the Revisor of Statutes staff?


4. Visit the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis (OPLA) website to answer Part A and B of this question.

(https://legislature.maine.gov/opla)

A. Who is the Director of the OPLA?

B. In what year was the Government Evaluation Act established?


5. Visit the Office of Legislative Information website to answer part A and B of this question.

(http://legislature.maine.gov/lio)

A. What is the name of the manager of this office?

B. What is the Legislative Memorial Scholarship Fund?


6. Visit the Law and Legislative Reference Library website.

(http://legislature.maine.gov/lawlibrary)

1. Click on “Research Assistance".

2. Click on "Compiling a Legislative History".

3. Find the link where you can read actual floor debates.


A. What is the web address (URL) for the page where you can search the Legislative Histories?


7. Visit the Office and Fiscal and Program Review website.

(https://www.maine.gov/legis/ofpr/total_state_budget/index.htm)

1. Click on "General Fund" and then choose “Pie Charts”

2. Click the link for "2014-2015"


A. Use the Budgeted Revenue pie chart to describe the two major sources of revenue (or money) collected by the state.

B. How do the numbers from 2014-2015 compare to the numbers given for 1998 - 1999?


8. Visit the Maine State Legislature website.

( http://legislature.maine.gov)

1. Click “Advanced Bill Search”

2. On the right side of the screen, select “129th Legislature” from the drop down box

3. Type 1439 in the LD# “from” and “to” box (look at image below)

4. Click on "search"

A. What is the title of the LD 1439?