Table of Contents
Understanding the language used in state government can be challenging. This article provides clear definitions of common terms to help you navigate government documents and discussions more easily.
Legislature
The legislature is the branch of government responsible for making laws. It is usually divided into two parts: the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Governor
The governor is the elected head of a state government. They oversee the executive branch and have the power to sign bills into law or veto them.
Bill
A bill is a proposal for new law or an amendment to existing law. It must go through several stages of approval before becoming law.
Budget
The budget is a plan that outlines how the state will spend its money. It includes revenue sources and expenditure categories.
Veto
A veto is the governor’s power to reject a bill passed by the legislature. The bill can still become law if the legislature overrides the veto with a majority vote.