Executive Council of New Hampshire

New Hampshire has an Executive, Legislative and Judicial branch like the other 49 states and U.S Federal Government. New Hampshire is one of the few states which has an Executive Council. All other states have a council which merely advises the governor, however New Hampshire's Executive Council has the ability to check the power of the governor.

Construction

The Executive Council, or commonly referred to as the Governor's Council, is made up of 5 councilors elected every two years by thier respective district. The General Court is able to devide the state into five districts by population, as needed for the public good, with each district containing approximately 247,000 citizens.

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Currently, the Executive Council Districts are #1 (the North Country and large portions of the Lakes Region), #2 (primarily Sullivan, Merrimack, and Strafford Counties.), #3 (Seacoast Region), #4 (Manchester and Western Rockingham County) and #5 (the Monadnock Region and most of Hillsborough County).

Related Topics:
Sullivan - Merrimack - Strafford - Seacoast Region - Manchester - Rockingham County - Monadnock Region - Hillsborough County

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The governor has the sole power and authority to convene the meetings of the council at his discretion. The council does not have the power or authority to convene itself. The governor with, or a majority, of the council "may and shall, from time to time hold a council, for ordering and directing the affairs of the state, according to the laws of the land." ()

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Members of the council may be impeached by the house, and tried by the senate for bribery, corruption, malpractice, or maladministration. ()

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The constitution provides for the governor and council to be compensated for their services, from time to time, by such grants as the general courts shall think reasonable. (Part II. Art. 58) Each councilor is provided a salary $12,354 (FY 2006) and an additional $4000 for each councilor in districts 2-5 ($5800 for District #1) is given to each councilor in lieu of expenses.

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