Buckeye Girls State 2017
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Ohio Government Digest with The Constitution of the State of Ohio prepared for Buckeye Girls State 2017 Library of Congress Card Number 56-63093 Agnes S. Merritt COPYRIGHTED BY BUCKEYE GIRLS’ STATE American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Ohio P.O. Box 2760, Zanesville, Ohio 43702-2760 www.bgs.ashland.edu Published by the American Legion Buckeye Boys State P.O. Box 8007, Delaware, Ohio 43015-8007 www.ohiobuckeyegirlsstate.com 2017 Buckeye Girls State Blue Book 2 Ohio Government Digest with The Constitution of the State of Ohio OFFICIAL OHIO FLAG OFFICIAL GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF OHIO “With God, All Things Are Possible” STATE OF OHIO MOTTO March 1 – Ohio Statehood Day INSECT – Lady Bug BIRD – Cardinal ROCK SONG – Hang On Sloopy FLOWER – Scarlet Carnation FOSSIL – Isotelus TREE – Buckeye WILD FLOWER – Trillium GEM STONE – Ohio Flint Grandflorium BEVERAGE – Tomato Juice APPLE – Melrose OFFICIAL SONG – Beautiful Ohio ANIMAL – White Tailed Deer 2017 Buckeye Girls State Blue Book 3 The Preamble to the Constitution of the American Legion “For God and Country We associate ourselves together For the following purposes: To uphold and defend the constitution of the United State of America; To maintain law and order; To foster and perpetuate A One hundred percent Americanism; To preserve the memories and incidents Of our association during the Great Wars; To inculcate a sense of individual obligation To the community, state and nation; To combat the autocracy Of both the classes and the masses; To make right the master of might; To promote peace and good will on earth; To safeguard and transmit to posterity The principles of Justice, Freedom, and Democracy; To consecrate and sanctify our association By our devotion to mutual helpfulness.” 2017 Buckeye Girls State Blue Book 4 ACKNOWLEDGMENT Sincere thanks is expressed to The American Legion Department of Ohio and to the Buckeye Boys State Board of Trustees for their courtesy and generosity in allowing the use of “The Ohio Government in Brief” as the basis for the original issue of the “Ohio Government Digest.” Grateful appreciation, too, is extended to the American Legion Auxiliary, to many friends, as well as to the numerous public officials who so willingly and patiently have cooperated and without whose understanding and sincere interest this book could not have been possible. February 29, 1948 Revised February 28, 1950 (Mrs. Lester M.) Agnes S. Merritt Revised January 12, 1952 Revised January 31, 1954 Revised January 31, 1956 Revised January 1, 1958 Supplement added January 1, 1960 Revised September 1, 1960 Revised January 1, 1962 Revised January 1, 1964 Revised January 1, 1966 Revised January 1, 1968 Revised January 1, 1970 modifications made January 1, 1972 Revised January 1, 1973 Revised January 1, 1975 Revised January 1, 1977 Revised January 1, 1979 Revised January 1, 1981 Revised January 1, 1982 Revised January 1, 1983 Revised January 1, 1985 modifications made January 1, 1987 Revised January 1, 1988 modifications made January 1, 1990 Revised February 1, 1994 modifications made February 1, 1995 Croft S. Merritt Revised February 1, 1996 modifications made January 15, 1997 Revised January 15, 1998 modifications made January 25, 1999 Revised February 1, 2000 modifications made February 1, 2001 Revised February 1, 2002 modifications made February 13, 2003 Revised February 15, 2004 Revised February 10, 2006 Revised March 5, 2010 Revised March 25, 2012 Revised February 15, 2013 Revised March 29, 2014 Revised April 9, 2015 Revised April 18, 2016 Revised April 2, 2017 DEDICATION This revision of the “Ohio Government Digest” is dedicated to the memory of Agnes S. Merritt, a founder of Buckeye Girls’ State, who died on February 17, 1992. After her retirement from active participation in the Buckeye Girls’ State program, she continued, as the author, to up-date this reference book to ensure that current information about government in Ohio was available to the participants of both the American Legion Auxiliary Buckeye Girls’ State and the American Legion Buckeye Boys’ State. It is with this idea that we continue this legacy. – Croft S. Merritt, deceased 2017 Buckeye Girls State Blue Book 5 pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, I indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all. The American’s Creed TYLER PAGE (1917) “I believe in the United State of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic; a sovereign nation of many sovereign states; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it; support its constitution; to obey its laws; to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies.” 2017 Buckeye Girls State Blue Book 6 Forward The American Legion Boys State will enjoy certain rights and privileges This “Ohio Government Digest”, program was initiated in Illinois in as well as assume definite duties and contains the Constitution of the United 1933, and three years later, Ohio’s responsibilities. These experiences States of America, the Constitution of first Buckeye Boys State was held. will make you more mindful of the the State of Ohio, and an abbreviated The Girls State program of the Ameri- contribution women can and do make outline of Ohio government. This is can Legion Auxiliary materialized in in the governmental process. intended only as an initial reference 1938. But it wasn’t until 1947 that the and insight into the responsibilities first Buckeye Girls State become an The American Legion Auxiliary of government. A more complete actuality with 304 Ohio high school sponsors this program with the intent description can be found online at juniors assembling at the Capital to encourage and enlighten young www.ohio.gov. University in Columbus. women of the value and effect of good government. The practice and procedures used Enrollment at Buckeye Girls State is at Buckeye Girls State parallel the limited to young women who have “Law prevails with justice” and “Un- actual practices used in government. been carefully selected with empha- der the rule of the majority, minority Modifications have been made to fit sis on their talents of leadership and rights are protected” these are but the scope of our program. scholarship. some of the tenets exercised within the state system and incorporated into Even though the generic terminology “…To inculcate a sense of individual the Girls State program. appears throughout this text in the obligation to community, state and historic male form of reference, all nation,…” Government in Ohio is a highly references, with few exceptions, ap- – Preamble to the Constitution specialized and intricate business ply to both male and females citizens. of The American Legion and the that serves all Ohioans at a very real American Legion Auxiliary cost to taxpayers. Learning effective Enjoy, learn, and remember your an quantifiable methods will provide participation in this dynamic program As a representative, you will gain a you with a basic understanding of that few experience. sense of that individual obligation. our government system and explain Through your participation, you will how you can safeguard the rights and – Carol T. Robinson, Director learn some of the intricacies and prob- services of all Ohioans. lems of government. As a citizen you 2017 Buckeye Girls State Blue Book 7 Table of Contents Ohio State Government ..............................................................10 Legislative ..................................................................................12 Apportionment .....................................................................15 Sessions and Organization......................................15 In the House of Representatives ................................................16 In the Senate ...........................................................16 Resolutions ..........................................................................18 Bills .....................................................................................19 Committees ..........................................................................21 Adjournment ........................................................................22 Executive ....................................................................................22 Elected Officials ..................................................................22 Governor .................................................................23 Lieutenant Governor .............................................24 Attorney General ....................................................24 Auditor of State ......................................................30 Secretary of State ...................................................31 Cabinet Offices - Executive Branch ...........................................38 Adjutant General’s Department ...........................................38 Department of Administrative Services ..............................40 Department of Aging ...........................................................41 Department of Agriculture ...................................................42 Board of Regents .................................................................44 Ohio Bureau of Workers’