The Executive

THE GOVERNOR
Theodore R. McKeldin, Governor, 1959

Albert W. Quinn, Assistant to the Governor
Russell H. McCain, Executive Assistant
William A. Gresham, Administrative Assistant
Mildred K. Momberger, Administrative Assistant
Thomas S. Carr, Executive Secretary

State House, Annapolis Telephone: Colonial 3-2666
1833 Mathieson Building, Baltimore 2 Telephone: Mulberry 5-4300

The Governor is the chief executive officer of the State and the
Commander-in-Chief of its military forces. He is elected by popular
vote for a term of four years, his term of office beginning on the
second Wednesday of January following his election. No person may
serve as Governor for more than two consecutive terms. To be eli-
gible for the office of Governor, a person must be at least thirty
years of age and must have been for ten years a citizen of the
State, and for five years preceding the date of his election a resi-
dent of the State. At the time of his election, he must also be a
qualified voter of the State (Const. 1867, Art. II, secs. 1, 3, 5).

The Governor must submit to each annual session of the General
Assembly a budget for the next ensuing fiscal year. He also makes
recommendations for the raising of the principal and interest of the
State's indebtedness. The Governor may also inform the General
Assembly at any time of the condition of the State (II, 19; III,
52(3)).

Before a bill may become law the Governor must sign it, with
the single exception of the General Appropriation Act. However,
any bill which he vetoes may be passed without his signature by
three-fifths of the total number of members of each house of the
General Assembly, either at the current session or at the session
next following. Or should the Governor, while the Legislature is in
session, fail to return any bill with his objections within six days,
the Act becomes law automatically unless the adjournment of the
General Assembly prevents the return of the bill; then the bill fails.
The Governor has the power to veto any part of an appropriation
bill, in the same manner as other bills, without vetoing all (II, 17
as amended by Acts 1949, chap. 714).

The Governor is Commander-in-Chief of the military forces of
the State, except when such forces shall be called in the national
service. He may establish a State Guard when the National Guard
has been called into Federal service.

The Governor appoints all military and civil officers of the State
subject to the advice and consent of the Senate, except when the
election or appointment of such officer is otherwise provided for.
In addition to appointing the heads of major departments, boards,
and commissions of the State Government, the Governor appoints
certain boards and commissions in each county and the City of Bal-
timore as is provided by law. The Governor also commissions Trial
Magistrates, Justices of the Peace, and Notaries Public. The Gov-
ernor appoints persons to unexpired terms of the offices of Attorney
General, Comptroller, Treasurer, and members of the General As-
sembly. Any officer appointed by the Governor, excepting members
of the General Assembly, shall be removable by him for cause.