Eleanor Finch
The process of amending the US Constitution is outlined in Article V, which involves proposing an amendment and subsequent ratification. Amendments can be proposed by Congress with a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, or by a convention called by Congress at the request of two-thirds of state legislatures. The US Constitution has been amended 27 times, with over 10,000 measures proposed in Congress. Once an amendment is proposed, the Archivist of the United States notifies each state's governor, who then submits the amendment to their state legislature or ratifying convention. While the role of governors varies across states, they play a crucial part in the amendment process, ensuring the laws are executed faithfully and holding advisory powers. A proposed amendment becomes part of the Constitution when ratified by three-quarters of the states (38 out of 50). This process has been utilised only once in US history for the 1933 ratification of the 21st Amendment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of amendments to the US Constitution | 27 |
| Number of amendments proposed by Congress | 33 |
| Number of amendments proposed by convention | 1 |
| Number of measures to amend the Constitution proposed in Congress | 10,000 |
| Number of state constitutions | 50 |
| Number of times state constitutions have been amended | 7,000 |
| Number of states whose constitutions are amended more than three to four times per year | 5 |
| Number of states whose constitutions are amended once every three to four years | 5 |
| Number of states requiring supermajority legislative support for amendments | 25 |
| Number of states requiring three-fifths vote for amendments | 9 |
| Number of states requiring two-thirds vote for amendments | 16 |
| Minimum number of states required to ratify an amendment | 34 |
| Minimum number of states required to ratify an amendment (as a percentage) | 75% |
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What You'll Learn
- Governors' powers and responsibilities vary from state to state
- Governors can issue executive orders and take emergency actions
- Governors can trigger emergency powers during natural disasters, weather events, etc
- Governors can create committees and address cross-agency issues
- Governors can veto legislation, but legislatures may override this
Governors' powers and responsibilities vary from state to state
The process of amending the US Constitution is outlined in Article V of the Constitution. An amendment is proposed by Congress with a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, or by a convention called by Congress at the request of two-thirds of state legislatures. Once an amendment is proposed, it must be ratified by either the state legislatures or ratifying conventions in at least three-quarters of the states (38 out of 50) to become part of the Constitution.
Now, onto the topic of governors' powers and responsibilities:
While governors across the United States share certain underlying roles and duties, their specific powers and responsibilities can vary from state to state. Governors are the chief executives and commanders-in-chief of their states, and they function as both the head of state and head of government. They are responsible for implementing state laws and overseeing the state's executive branch. Governors advance and pursue new and revised policies using tools such as executive orders, executive budgets, legislative proposals, and vetoes. They also serve as the intergovernmental liaison to the federal government.
The scope of gubernatorial power differs across states, in accordance with state constitutions, legislation, and tradition. For example, the power to issue executive orders and take emergency actions varies between states. Governors in some states have more authority to declare emergencies and trigger emergency response actions. Additionally, while most governors can appoint state court judges, the process can vary, with some states using nominations committees to submit lists of names.
The requirements to become a governor also vary among states. The minimum age requirement ranges from no formal provision to 35 years old, while US citizenship requirements range from no formal provision to 20 years. State residency requirements also differ, ranging from no formal provision to seven years. Gubernatorial terms are typically four years, except for New Hampshire and Vermont, which have two-year terms. Most governors can also succeed themselves, although there may be limits on consecutive or total terms.
In summary, while governors share common responsibilities and powers, the specifics can differ due to variations in state constitutions, legislation, and traditions. These differences contribute to the unique political landscape of each state and highlight the dynamic nature of gubernatorial power in the United States.
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Governors can issue executive orders and take emergency actions
The process of amending the US Constitution is outlined in Article V of the Constitution. This process involves proposing an amendment and subsequent ratification. Amendments can be proposed by Congress with a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, or by a convention called by Congress at the request of two-thirds of state legislatures.
Once an amendment is proposed, it is submitted to the states for ratification. An amendment becomes part of the Constitution when it is ratified by three-quarters of the states (38 out of 50). This ratification process is managed by the Archivist of the United States, who notifies each state governor of the proposed amendment.
While the role and powers of governors vary across states, they are generally authorised to issue executive orders and take emergency actions. This authority is derived from state constitutions, statutes, case law, or the inherent powers of their office. Governors may use executive orders to address various situations, including natural disasters, public health crises, and other urgent matters. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, governors utilised executive orders to declare state disaster emergencies and temporarily suspend or modify certain laws and regulations to facilitate a more effective response to the crisis.
In addition to executive orders, governors also have the power to make appointments to state executive branch positions and state judgeships, although these appointments are often subject to confirmation by the state legislature. Governors play a crucial role in the amendment process by formally submitting proposed amendments to their state legislatures or ratifying conventions, contributing to the overall process of amending the US Constitution.
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Governors can trigger emergency powers during natural disasters, weather events, etc
The process of amending the US Constitution is outlined in Article V of the Constitution. This article provides two methods for proposing amendments: the first method involves Congress proposing amendments with a two-thirds vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The second method requires Congress to call a convention for proposing amendments at the request of two-thirds of the state legislatures (34 as of 1959).
Once an amendment is proposed, it must be ratified to become part of the Constitution. Ratification can occur through the legislatures of three-quarters of the states (38 out of 50 states) or by ratifying conventions in three-quarters of the states. This process is managed by the Archivist of the United States, who notifies each state governor of the proposed amendment. The governors then submit the amendment to their state legislatures or ratifying conventions.
Now, let's focus on the role of governors in triggering emergency powers during natural disasters or other events. Governors play a crucial role in emergency management and can declare a state of emergency within their jurisdiction, particularly in response to natural disasters. For example, in 2015, Washington state Governor Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency due to flooding and landslides caused by heavy rains. When a disaster strikes, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) conducts a preliminary damage assessment at the request of the governor of the affected state. FEMA issues a disaster declaration, identifying the areas eligible for relief.
The President also has the authority to declare a major disaster or emergency, providing supplemental federal disaster assistance. This includes assistance for emergency work and repairing or replacing disaster-damaged facilities, and tax relief for individuals and businesses affected by the disaster. The IRS, in coordination with other agencies, plays a key role in providing this tax relief and facilitating the recovery process.
Additionally, in certain countries, the governor-general or a similar authority can declare a state of emergency during a public health crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, to enable swift response and recovery. This declaration provides access to federal funds and resources to address the emergency effectively.
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Governors can create committees and address cross-agency issues
Governors play a crucial role in the process of amending the Constitution, which is derived from Article V of the Constitution. While Congress proposes amendments, it is the responsibility of the governors to formally submit these amendments to their state legislatures or ratifying conventions. This highlights the significance of governors in the constitutional amendment process.
The power and influence of governors vary from state to state, and they often work in conjunction with department and agency heads, whom they may appoint. Governors have the authority to issue executive orders and take emergency actions, which can be crucial during natural disasters, public health emergencies, and other urgent situations. This authority is derived from state constitutions, case law, or the inherent powers assigned to state chief executives.
One of the key ways governors address cross-agency issues is by creating committees and commissions. They can establish advisory, coordinating, or investigative committees to address specific matters. Additionally, governors can create or reorganise state agencies, boards, and commissions to align with emerging needs and priorities. For instance, in several states, governors have formed sub-cabinets to bring together agencies to tackle issues like the needs of children.
The ability to create committees and address cross-agency issues allows governors to bring together diverse stakeholders and experts to address complex or pressing matters that may require collaboration across multiple agencies. This enables governors to be agile and responsive in their decision-making, ensuring that state government functions effectively, even during challenging or rapidly changing circumstances.
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Governors can veto legislation, but legislatures may override this
Governors can play three broad roles in relation to state legislatures. They can propose legislation and convey policy priorities, call special legislative sessions, and coordinate with state legislatures to ensure their priorities, goals, and accomplishments are accurately presented. As state leaders, governors advance and pursue new and revised policies and programs using various tools, including executive orders, executive budgets, and legislative proposals and vetoes.
The governor's power to veto legislation is one of the most important tools at their disposal. A veto is an act of disapproval by an executive that prohibits a bill passed by a legislature from becoming law. All 50 state governors in the United States have the power to veto entire legislative measures. In addition, many states give the governor additional powers to strike or revise parts of a bill without striking the whole bill. These include the "line-item" veto, the "reduction" veto, and the "amendatory" veto.
However, the legislature can override a governor's veto. This is known as a veto override. To override a veto, the legislature usually needs to pass the bill again with a supermajority vote, which is a vote of more than two-thirds of the members of the legislature. The number of votes required to override a veto varies by state, with some states requiring only a simple majority.
The governor's veto power is an important check on the power of the legislature. It allows the governor to ensure that the legislation passed by the legislature aligns with their priorities and goals. However, the legislature's ability to override a veto serves as a balance to the governor's power, ensuring that the legislative process is not completely controlled by the executive branch.
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Frequently asked questions
The number of governors does not determine the success of an amendment to the US Constitution. An amendment becomes an operative part of the Constitution when it is ratified by three-quarters of the states (38 out of 50 states).
The authority to amend the Constitution of the United States is derived from Article V of the Constitution. Amendments may be proposed either by Congress with a two-thirds vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, or by a convention to propose amendments called by Congress at the request of two-thirds of the state legislatures.
The US Constitution has been amended 27 times. State constitutions, on the other hand, are amended more frequently, with the current constitutions of the 50 states having been amended around 7,000 times.
