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Oklahoma GovernmentState Government
The Oklahoma Constitution also includes the political "initiative" and the "referendum." The initiative allows the people, themselves, to initiate legislation if enough people sign a petition. In the referendum, the people then vote on the legislation that they have initiated. If a majority votes for the proposed legislation, the people’s initiative becomes law. The executive branch of government enforces laws and provides services for citizens. The governor, lieutenant governor, superintendent of public instruction, attorney general, treasurer and commissioner of insurance are elected for four-year terms. The governor is limited to two consecutive terms of office. He appoints department heads of major state agencies that enforce the laws and provide services to citizens. He also plans the state budget and makes recommendations to the legislature about new laws. The lieutenant governor assists the governor and is empowered to replace the governor if he is unable to perform his duties. The attorney general is the state’s top lawyer. He and his assistants represent the state in court, enforce Oklahoma laws and advise other state officials on legal matters concerning the state. The treasurer collects Oklahoma’s taxes and fees and pays its bills. The insurance commissioner supervises insurance companies doing business in the state. The superintendent of public instruction and his board establishes policies that govern the public schools. The corporate commission oversees the corporate businesses operating in Oklahoma. The three members of the corporate commission are elected for six-year terms. The judicial branch interprets the meaning of state laws and its judges determine if people have broken such laws. It handles disputes about personal rights (civil cases) and crimes against persons or crimes against the state (criminal cases). The judicial branch includes a supreme court, a court of criminal appeals, a court of appeals and fifty-one district courts. The supreme court has a chief justice and eight associate justices, all elected for six-year terms. The court of criminal appeals is the court of last resort in criminal cases and has three justices elected for six-year terms. The court of appeals has twelve judges who are also elected to six-year terms. Voters also elect district judges who serve four-year terms. Federal grants provide approximately 25 percent of the state’s income. The rest comes from a variety of sources including personal and corporate income taxes, sales taxes, taxes on oil and gas and fees the state charges citizens for various services. Also providing money are taxes on alcoholic beverages, tobacco and insurance. Local Government County and municipal governments provide Oklahomans with local government and a variety of services. Oklahoma has seventy-seven counties, and each has a county seat. The county government enforces state and local laws, collects taxes, maintains county roads and provides other services as well. Major county officials include three county commissioners, the county treasurer, the county clerk, the county attorney and the county coroner. Most are elected to four-year terms. Municipal governments or cities have their own laws called ordinances, but such laws can not conflict with state or federal laws. Municipal governments can levy local taxes and provide services such as maintaining city streets and providing police and fire protection. A mayor and a city council govern most cities and towns. Many municipalities also have a city manager. He or she is an educated professional who controls the day-to-day operations of the city. Oklahoma has thousands of municipal officials. Their duties and terms of office vary from city to city.
Additional Resources
Study Guide Questions:
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