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The State of Vermont, follows the classic pattern of American government,
with three distinct branches: The Legislative Branch (the lawmakers),
the Executive Branch (the Governor and State departments) and the Judicial
Branch (the courts and the judges). Each branch is sovereign in its own
area of responsibility, but it is also influenced by the checks and balances
from the other branches.
| Legislative Branch: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/
The Legislative Branch consists of a bicameral (two chamber)
Legislature – a 30 member Senate and 150 member General Assembly
that together represent the 619,000 citizens of the State.
All members are elected for two-year terms.
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| Executive Branch: http://www.vermont.gov/
The Executive Branch is administered through the Governor’s
Office. This branch consists of 8,000 positions and is organized
into six agencies; most having several subordinate departments.
These agencies include: Agriculture, Human Services, Transportation,
Natural Resources, Administration, and Commerce and Community Development.
Most state employees work in the Executive Branch.
The lines of Authority within an Executive Branch agency or a department
start with an agency secretary or department commissioner, who is
appointed to that office by the Governor (except for the Commissioner of Education and the Commisioner of Liquor Control). Such appointments are
subject to confirmation by the state Senate. A secretary or commissioner may appoint a deputy
as authorized by statute. A department is generally comprised of
divisions each headed by a director.
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| Judicial Branch: http://www.vermontjudiciary.org/default.aspx
The Judicial Branch is comprised of seven State courts: the
Supreme Court, the Superior Court, the District Court, the
Family Court, the Probate Court, the Environmental Court and
the Vermont Judicial Bureau.
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