Kentucky Government

How much do you know about Kentucky State and Local Government?  You may not have given this question much thought, and you may even be thinking, "What does the government have to do with me anyway?"

The leaders in our state and local governments make decisions that affect your education, your safety, your environment, and even your recreational opportunities!  As you can imagine, life would be chaotic without laws or government to protect the rights and best interests of citizens.  However, the government does not operate on its own.  We live in a democracy-a government of the people and by the people.  This means that you and your family have a say in what the government does and decides, but it also means that you have a responsibility to be informed.

Here you can learn more about the fascinating people, institutions, and documents that serve as the foundation for our state and local governments.  Once you know more about Kentucky's past and present governments, you can be better prepared to shape it for the future.

The Kentucky Constitution sets the basic rules and laws that guide our state government. Visit this section to read about who, what, when, where, and how one of our state's most important documents came into existence.

The Kentucky State Government is a web of people and activities that includes three main branches--the executive, legislative, and judicial--as well as the county and city governments.  Visit this page to learn how all of these bodies of government function.

There are thousands of elected officials in Kentucky.  These men and women are chosen by voters to make decisions that affect our state, our communities, and our families.  In this section you can learn more about elected officials, what they do, and how you can contact them.

Ever wonder how laws are made?  They certainly don't happen over night.  Visit this section to learn how Kentucky laws are created and what role you can play in the process.