Maryland Civics: How Your State Government Works

by bam

A practical, non-partisan guide to how the state of Maryland governs itself, and how you take part where you live. Maryland's Governor holds what many call the STRONGEST executive budget power in the nation: the Legislature can generally only CUT items from the Governor's budget, not add spending. You'll learn Maryland's Constitution of 1867, its compact plural executive (Governor/Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller), its General Assembly of 47 senators and 141 delegates, its recently renamed Supreme Court of Maryland, and its distinctive local map of 23 counties PLUS the independent City of Baltimore. It also covers Maryland's referendum (but no initiative) and its voting rules. Time-sensitive facts are flagged, pointing to elections.maryland.gov. Cited to Maryland's own official sources (mgaleg.maryland.gov, elections.maryland.gov, mdcourts.gov).