MARYLAND AT A GLANCE

GOVERNMENT

State Government

organizational chart

Local Government

Federal Government

STATE GOVERNMENT

Statehood. In Maryland, State government began when the 9th Provincial Convention adopted the first constitution of Maryland on November 8, 1776.

Maryland, on April 28, 1788, became the seventh state to ratify the federal Constitution.

Executive Branch
The Governor is the chief executive of the State. Elected by the voters to a four-year term, the Governor presides over the Governor's Executive Council. Known as the Cabinet, the Council includes the heads of the nineteen departments which oversee most State government agencies.

Legislative Branch
The General Assembly, Maryland's bicameral legislature, consists of the Senate, led by the Senate President, and the House of Delegates, led by the House Speaker. As of February 1, 2005, the 47-member Senate has 33 Democrats (70%)and 14 Republicans (30%). As of the same date, the 141-member House of Delegates includes 98 Democrats (70%) and 43 Republicans (30%).

To enact laws, the General Assembly convenes annually on the second Wednesday in January for a 90-day session. The General Assembly will convene its 421st legislative session in January 2006.

Judicial Branch
The Judiciary is headed by the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals. Four court divisions make up the Judicial Branch: the Court of Appeals, the Court of Special Appeals, the Circuit Courts, and the District Court of Maryland. In addition, each county orphans' court has responsibility for probate.

Within the Executive Branch, the Maryland Tax Court hears appeals on tax issues, and administrative law judges of the Office of Administrative Hearings review contested decisions in State administrative law cases.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Of the 50 states, Maryland is among those with the fewest number of local governments.

County Government. Local government is found in Maryland's 23 counties. For Maryland counties, three forms of government exist: county commissioners, code home rule, or charter.

Queen Anne's County Courthouse, 100 Court House Square, Centreville, Maryland, November 2004. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

Code Home Rule. Since 1915, counties have had the option of governing under code home rule, which enables them to exercise broad local legislative authority (Chapter 493, Acts of 1965, ratified Nov. 8, 1966; Const., Art. XI-F). Six counties have chosen to adopt code home rule government: Allegany (1974), Caroline (1984), Charles (2002), Kent (1970), Queen Anne's (1990), and Worcester (1976).

Charter.The charter government separates the executive branch from the legislative branch (Chapter 416, Acts of 1914, ratified Nov. 2, 1915; Const., Art. XI-A). Most typically, it consists of a county executive and a county council. Charter counties include: Anne Arundel (1964), Baltimore (1956), Dorchester (2002), Harford (1972), Howard (1968), Montgomery (1948), Prince George's (1970), Talbot (1973), and Wicomico (1964).

Municipal Government. Some 157 towns and cities (including Baltimore City) have their own governments. Created by State, county and municipal governments, special taxing districts exist in Montgomery County as well.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

U.S. Congress. In the U.S. Senate, Maryland is represented by two senators. In the U.S. House of Representatives, eight representatives speak for Maryland.

U.S. Capitol (west view), Washington, DC, March 2004. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

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