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MARYLAND AT A GLANCE

GOVERNMENT

[photo, State House, Annapolis, Maryland]
  • State Government
  • organizational chart

  • Local Government
  • Federal Government
    • State House, Annapolis, Maryland, April 2005. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

    STATE GOVERNMENT

    Executive Branch
    The Governor is the chief executive of the State. Elected by the voters to a four-year term, the Governor presides over the Governor's Executive Council. Known as the Cabinet, the Council includes the heads of the nineteen departments which oversee most State government agencies. The Governor also oversees independent agencies, and frequently authorizes executive commissions and task forces to study and recommend solutions to particular matters of public concern.

    Legislative Branch
    The General Assembly, Maryland's bicameral legislature, consists of the Senate, led by the Senate President, and the House of Delegates, led by the House Speaker. As of January 11, 2006, the 47-member Senate has 33 Democrats (70%)and 14 Republicans (30%). As of the same date, the 141-member House of Delegates includes 98 Democrats (70%) and 43 Republicans (30%).

    To enact laws, the General Assembly convenes annually on the second Wednesday in January for a 90-day session. The General Assembly convened its 421st legislative session from January 11 through April 10, 2006, and convened for the 422nd time June 14-15, and June 23, 2006, in special session.

    Judicial Branch
    The Judiciary is headed by the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals. Four court divisions make up the Judicial Branch: the Court of Appeals, the Court of Special Appeals, the Circuit Courts, and the District Court of Maryland. In addition, each county orphans' court has responsibility for probate.

    Within the Executive Branch, the Maryland Tax Court hears appeals on tax issues, and administrative law judges of the Office of Administrative Hearings review contested decisions in State administrative law cases.

    [photo, Baltimore County Courts Building, 401 Bosley Ave. (view from Pennsylvania Ave.), Towson, Maryland]

    LOCAL GOVERNMENT

    Of the 50 states, Maryland is among those with the fewest number of local governments.

    County Government. Local government is found in Maryland's 23 counties. For Maryland counties, three forms of government exist: county commissioners, code home rule, or charter.

    Baltimore County Courts Building, 401 Bosley Ave. (view from Pennsylvania Ave.), Towson, Maryland, March 2001. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

    County Commissioners. Under the county commissioners form of government, the General Assembly is authorized to legislate for the county. While a board of county commissioners exercises both executive and legislative functions defined by State law, and may enact ordinances, its legislative power is limited to those areas authorized by the General Assembly, enabling legislation, or public local laws (Code 1957, Art. 25). Eight counties operate in this fashion: Calvert, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, Garrett, St. Mary's, Somerset, and Washington.

    Code Home Rule. Since 1915, counties have had the option of governing under code home rule, which enables them to exercise broad local legislative authority (Chapter 493, Acts of 1965, ratified Nov. 8, 1966; Const., Art. XI-F). Six counties have chosen to adopt code home rule government: Allegany (1974), Caroline (1984), Charles (2002), Kent (1970), Queen Anne's (1990), and Worcester (1976).

    Charter.The charter government separates the executive branch from the legislative branch (Chapter 416, Acts of 1914, ratified Nov. 2, 1915; Const., Art. XI-A). Most typically, it consists of a county executive and a county council. Charter counties include: Anne Arundel (1964), Baltimore (1956), Dorchester (2002), Harford (1972), Howard (1968), Montgomery (1948), Prince George's (1970), Talbot (1973), and Wicomico (1964).

    Municipal Government. Some 157 towns and cities (including Baltimore City) have their own governments. Created by State, county and municipal governments, special taxing districts exist in Montgomery County as well.

    [photo, U.S. Capitol (west view), Washington, DC]

    FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

    Maryland is represented in the U.S. Congress, and is part of the federal court system and other federal offices.

    U.S. Congress. In the U.S. Senate, Maryland is represented by two senators. In the U.S. House of Representatives, eight representatives speak for Maryland.

    U.S. Capitol (west view), Washington, DC, March 2004. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

    Federal Courts. Maryland is part of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.

    Federal Offices & Agencies.

    Maryland Constitution
    Maryland Elections
    Maryland State Government Budget
    Maryland Constitutional Offices & Agencies
    Maryland Departments
    Maryland Independent Agencies
    Maryland Executive Commissions, Committees, Task Forces, & Advisory Boards
    Maryland Universities & Colleges
    Maryland Counties
    Maryland Municipalities
    Maryland at a Glance

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