Governor of Vermont

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Detail of the The Pavilion in Montpelier, location of the Governor of Vermont's working offices.

'The Governor of Vermont's ceremonial office, located in the Vermont State House, is used during the legislative session of Vermont's General Assembly.

The Governor of Vermont is the executive magistrate of the U.S. state of Vermont. The governor is elected by direct voting every two years for a term of equal length. The current Governor of Vermont is Jim Douglas. A list of Governors of Vermont details each of Vermont's governors since the founding of the Vermont Republic in 1777, through admission to the federal union in 1791, to the present. The governor's working offices are located in The Pavilion in Montpelier, Vermont. The governor's ceremonial office, used during the legislative session of Vermont's General Assembly, is located in the Vermont State House.

[edit] Constitutional role

The Constitution of Vermont defines the governor's role as follows:

§ 20. Governor; executive power The Governor, and in the Governor's absence, the Lieutenant-Governor, shall have power to commission all officers, and also to appoint officers, except where provision is, or shall be, otherwise made by law or this Frame of Government; and shall supply every vacancy in any office, occasioned by death or otherwise, until the office can be filled in the manner directed by law or this Constitution. The Governor is to correspond with other States, transact business with officers of government, civil and military, and prepare such business as may appear necessary, to lay before the General Assembly. The Governor shall have power to grant pardons and remit fines in all cases whatsoever, except in treason in which the Governor shall have power to grant reprieves, but not to pardon, until after the end of the next session of the General Assembly; and except in cases of impeachment, in which the Governor shall not grant reprieve or pardon, and there shall be no remission, or mitigation of punishment, but by act of legislation. The Governor is also to take care that the laws be faithfully executed. The Governor is to expedite the execution of such measures as may be resolved upon by the General Assembly. And the Governor may draw upon the Treasury for such sums as may be appropriated by the General Assembly. The Governor may also lay embargoes, or prohibit the exportation of any commodity, for any time not exceeding thirty days, in the recess of the General Assembly only. The Governor may grant such licenses as shall be directed by law; and shall have power to call together the General Assembly, when necessary, before the day to which they shall stand adjourned. The Governor shall be Captain-General and Commander-in-Chief of the forces of the State, but shall not command in person, in time of war, or insurrection, unless by the advice and consent of the Senate, and no longer than they shall approve thereof. And the Lieutenant-Governor shall, by virtue of office, be Lieutenant-General of all the forces of the State.