GOVERNMENT

Executive Branch. The Governor, elected by popular vote for a four-year term, is the chief executive of the State. Fifteen cabinet-level executive departments oversee most State agencies.

Legislative Branch. The General Assembly, Maryland's bicameral legislature, consists of a 47-member Senate and a 141-member House of Delegates. As of January 1997, the Senate has 32 Democrats and 15 Republicans; the House of Delegates includes 100 Democrats and 41 Republicans. Annually, the General Assembly convenes to enact laws on the second Wednesday in January for a 90-day session.

Judicial Branch. The Judiciary consists of four court divisions: the Court of Appeals, the Court of Special Appeals, the Circuit Courts, and the District Court of Maryland.

Local Government. Of the 50 states, Maryland is among those with the fewest number of local governments. Local government is found in Maryland's 23 counties; 156 municipal corporations (including Baltimore City); and special taxing districts, which are created by State, county and municipal governments.

Maryland Manual On-Line

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