Governor of Minnesota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Governor of Minnesota |
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Great Seal of the State of Minnesota
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| Government of Minnesota | |
| Style | The Honorable |
| Residence | Minnesota Governor's Residence |
| Term length | Four years, no term limit |
| Inaugural holder | Henry H. Sibley |
| Formation | May 24, 1858 |
| Deputy | Lieutenant governor |
| Salary | $127,629 (2022) |
The governor of Minnesota is the main leader of the U.S. state of Minnesota. Think of them as the chief executive officer for the state. They are in charge of the state's executive branch, which is the part of the government that carries out laws.
Forty people have served as governor of Minnesota since it became a state. Before that, there were three governors for the Minnesota Territory. Alexander Ramsey, the first territorial governor, later became a state governor too. State governors are chosen by people voting, but territorial governors were picked by the United States president. The current governor of Minnesota is Tim Walz. He belongs to the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL).
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What the Governor Does and Who Can Be Governor
The governor of Minnesota has important powers, much like the U.S. president. One big power is the veto. This means the governor can say "no" to bills (proposed laws) that the Minnesota State Legislature has passed. If the governor vetoes a bill, it usually doesn't become law.
Also, the governor can use a special power called a line-item veto. This allows them to remove specific parts or sentences from a bill while still signing the rest of the bill into law. This is different from the U.S. president, who usually has to accept or reject an entire bill.
To become governor of Minnesota, a person must be at least 25 years old when they start the job. They also need to have lived in Minnesota for at least one year before the election.
Since 1958, governors are elected for four-year terms. There is no limit on how many terms a person can serve as governor. This means they can be re-elected many times.
The Governor's Cabinet
The governor has a group of advisors called a cabinet. These are leaders of different state departments. The governor chooses these department heads. Most of them are called "commissioners."
These cabinet members help the governor manage various parts of the state government. For example, there are commissioners for education, health, transportation, and natural resources. They work to make sure state services run smoothly.
Governor's Home
The official home for the governor of Minnesota is called the Minnesota Governor's Residence. It is located in Saint Paul, at 1006 Summit Avenue.
Who Takes Over if the Governor Can't Serve
There is a clear plan for who takes over if the governor cannot do their job. This plan is set by the Minnesota Constitution and state law. Usually, the lieutenant governor is next in line to take over.
Fun Traditions
Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener
One fun tradition is the Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener. This event started in 1948. It was created to help promote Minnesota's recreation industry, especially fishing. Each year, the governor goes to a different lake in Minnesota to fish on the first weekend of the fishing season. It's a way to celebrate and encourage outdoor activities in the state.
See also
- List of Minnesota gubernatorial elections
- List of lieutenant governors of Minnesota
- Minnesota Secretary of State
- Minnesota Attorney General
- Minnesota State Auditor
- Politics of Minnesota
