Governor of Maryland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Governor of theState of Maryland |
|
|---|---|
|
|
|
|
| Government of Maryland | |
| Style |
|
| Residence | Government House |
| Seat | Annapolis, Maryland |
| Term length | Four years, renewable once consecutively |
| Constituting instrument | Maryland Constitution of 1776 |
| Inaugural holder | Thomas Johnson |
| Formation | March 21, 1777 |
| Deputy | Lieutenant Governor of Maryland |
| Salary | $180,000 (2018) |
.jpg)
The Governor of Maryland is like the chief boss of the state. They lead the government and are in charge of Maryland's National Guard. The governor is the highest-ranking official in Maryland. They have many powers to appoint people to state and local government jobs. These powers are explained in the Constitution of Maryland.
The current governor is Wes Moore. He started his term in 2023.
Contents
Becoming Governor
How Governors Are Chosen
Just like most state leaders in the United States, Maryland's governor is chosen by the people. They serve for four years. A governor can be elected many times. However, they cannot serve more than two terms in a row. This means a governor who served two terms can run again later. But they must wait at least one term before doing so.
Who Can Be Governor?
To be a governor, a person must be at least 30 years old. They also need to have lived in Maryland for five years before the election. They must be a registered voter in Maryland. Candidates must file their paperwork with the state. They also pay a fee and share their financial information. Governors are elected in even-numbered years. These are years when there is no U.S. presidential election.
What the Governor Does
Leading the State Government
The governor is the main leader of Maryland's government. This includes all state departments and agencies. It also includes many special groups and committees. The governor's main job is to run the state. They make sure that laws passed by the legislature are followed.
Making Laws Happen
The governor also has a say in new laws. They can say "no" to a bill passed by the Maryland General Assembly. This is called a veto. However, the General Assembly can still pass the law. They can do this by getting enough votes to override the governor's veto. The governor also has powers related to state money. They appoint many state officials.
Managing State Money
Each year, the governor must show a plan for the state's money. This plan goes to the Maryland General Assembly. The Assembly can lower parts of the governor's budget. But they cannot increase it or move money between departments. They can increase money for the legislative and court branches.
The governor can also use a "line item veto." This means they can reject specific parts of spending bills. The legislature can override this veto. They need three-fifths (60%) of the votes in each house.
The governor is also part of the Board of Public Works. This board helps to approve how state money is spent.
Appointing State Officials
The governor chooses almost all military and civil officers for the state. The Maryland State Senate must agree with these choices. The governor also appoints people to local boards and commissions. This includes groups in all 24 counties and Baltimore City. If a job like attorney general or comptroller becomes empty, the governor fills it. If a spot opens in the General Assembly, the governor also fills it. They must choose someone recommended by the local political party. The governor can remove appointed officers if there is a good reason.
The governor's most important appointments are the 24 secretaries. These people lead different state departments. They form the governor's Cabinet.
The Governor's Cabinet
The governor of Maryland leads the executive council, also known as the Cabinet. This group helps run all parts of the state government. Most members are chosen by the governor. The Maryland State Senate must approve them.
Here are some of the key members:
- Lieutenant Governor – Aruna Miller
- Secretary of State – Susan C. Lee
- Secretary of Aging – Carmel Roques
- Secretary of Agriculture – Kevin Atticks
- Secretary of Budget and Management – Helene Grady
- Secretary of Commerce – Kevin Anderson
- Secretary of Disabilities – Carol Beatty
- State Superintendent of Schools – Carey Wright
- Secretary of Environment – Serena McIlwain
- Secretary of General Services – Atif Chaudhry
- Secretary of Health – Laura Herrera Scott
- Secretary of Housing and Community Development – Jacob R. Day
- Secretary of Human Resources – Rafael López
- Secretary of Information Technology – Katie Savage
- Secretary of Juvenile Services – Vincent Schiraldi
- Secretary of Labor – Portia Wu
- Secretary of Natural Resources – Josh Kurtz
- Secretary of Planning – Rebecca Flora
- Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services – Carolyn Scruggs
- Secretary of State Police – Roland Butler
- Secretary of Transportation – Paul Wiedefeld
- Secretary of Veterans Affairs – Anthony Woods
- Secretary of Higher Education – Sanjay Rai
- Secretary of Service and Civic Innovation - Paul Monteiro
- Adjutant General (head of the Maryland Military Department) – Janeen L. Birckhead
The governor also oversees smaller groups called sub-cabinets. These groups help different departments work together on specific topics.
Other Important Powers
The governor is the leader of Maryland's military forces. This includes the Maryland Army National Guard and Air National Guard. It also includes the Maryland Defense Force. The U.S. President can call the National Guard into federal service. In emergencies, the governor can use special powers. They can also call on these military forces.
The governor can also grant pardons to people convicted of crimes. They can reduce prison sentences. They can also remove fines for state law violations.
The governor serves on many state and interstate boards. They must also report on the state's condition. This usually happens in a "State of the State" speech every January.
The Governor's Team
The governor has a special team of staff members. These staff members help with the governor's daily duties. A chief of staff leads this team. The team includes offices for working with other governments, legal advice, laws and policies, and the press. There is also a governor's office in Washington, D.C. These staff members are chosen by the governor.
History of the Governor's Office
Early Years (1600s–1800s)
.jpeg)
During Maryland's early colonial days, the owners of the colony, the Lords of Baltimore, chose the governor. The first governor of the Province of Maryland was Leonard Calvert. He arrived with the first settlers in 1634. From 1692 to 1715, the British monarch appointed the governor. After 1715, the Lords of Baltimore again chose the governors. This continued until the American Revolution.
The first governor of independent Maryland was Thomas Johnson. He took office on March 21, 1777. At first, the governor was chosen for one-year terms by the Maryland General Assembly. In 1838, voters began electing the governor for three-year terms. They voted from different parts of the state. In 1851, the term changed to four years. The rule about voting from specific areas was removed in 1864. The current Constitution of Maryland was approved in 1867. In 1922, an amendment changed the election year. Since then, governors have been elected every four years during the mid-term election cycle.
From 1777 to 1870, the governor lived in the Jennings House in Annapolis. This house was later sold to the United States Naval Academy. Since 1870, the governor has lived in the Government House. This mansion is next to the Maryland State House. It is the governor's home and is also used for official events.
Modern Era (1900s–Present)
Spiro Agnew was Maryland's governor from 1967 to 1969. He later became the Vice President of the United States under President Richard M. Nixon. He is one of the highest-ranking Marylanders in U.S. public service.
As of 2023, Maryland has not had a female governor. However, women have been close to winning the election several times. Two women have served as lieutenant governor. They are Kathleen Kennedy Townsend (1995-2003) and Aruna Miller (since 2023).
The Lieutenant Governor
The job of Lieutenant Governor of Maryland was brought back in 1971. This office is not as powerful as in some other states. The lieutenant governor only has the powers that the governor gives them. The lieutenant governor is elected on the same ballot as the governor. They serve for the same four-year term.
The lieutenant governor becomes governor only if the governor's office becomes empty. This could happen if the governor resigns or passes away. No lieutenant governor of Maryland has been elected governor after serving as lieutenant governor. Also, none have permanently taken over the governor's office due to a vacancy. However, Blair Lee III served as acting governor from 1977 to 1979. This happened while Governor Marvin Mandel was unable to serve.
See also
- Government of Maryland
- Lieutenant Governor of Maryland
- Maryland gubernatorial elections
- List of colonial governors of Maryland
- Impeachment in Maryland
Images for kids
-
Wes Moore, the current Governor of Maryland.
-
Thomas Johnson, the first governor of Maryland after independence.
-
Former Maryland governor and U.S. vice president Spiro Agnew.
