Pennsylvania, like every other state in the United States, has a government that is responsible for the people who live there. The Pennsylvania government is responsible for the state’s executive, legislative, and judicial functions. The Pennsylvania Constitution establishes the basic structure of state government. The government is made up of three branches: the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judicial branch. Each branch has a different role in the government of Pennsylvania.
The executive branch is responsible for carrying out the laws of Pennsylvania. The governor is the head of the executive branch. The governor is elected by Pennsylvania voters and serves a four-year term. The governor appoints people to serve in his or her cabinet, which advises him or her on Pennsylvania’s laws and policies and is responsible for carrying out the laws and for ensuring that the state’s agencies are run efficiently.
The legislative branch makes Pennsylvania’s laws. The Pennsylvania General Assembly is the state legislature, and it is made up of two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Both chambers are responsible for passing laws in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania’s laws are called statutes. The Pennsylvania Constitution is the state’s highest law.
The judicial branch interprets Pennsylvania’s laws. Pennsylvania’s courts are made up of the Supreme Court, the Superior Court, and the Commonwealth Court. Judges are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Pennsylvania Senate. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is the highest in the state and is responsible for hearing appeals from lower courts.
The three branches of the government work together to serve the people of Pennsylvania. They check and balance each other to make sure that no one branch gets too much power.
Pennsylvania has a wide variety of state agencies that are responsible for different areas of government. The Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining the state’s highways and bridges. The Pennsylvania State Police is responsible for enforcing the law and providing public safety services. The Department of Education is responsible for ensuring that all children in Pennsylvania have access to quality education.
There are also numerous county and local governments in Pennsylvania. County governments are responsible for administering countywide services, such as property taxes and elections. Local governments are responsible for providing services to specific municipalities, such as police and fire protection.
Official Name: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Governor: Tom Wolf
Contact: Email the governor
Main Address: Office of the Governor
508 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA, 17120
Phone Number: 717-787-2500