The Constitution of Maine is the guardian of the
Government of Maine as the government is structured and established by the State Constitution of Maine. Maine became the 23rd state of US on March 15, 1820
[1]. The State Constitution of Maine divides the powers of the government into three distinct departments— the legislative, the executive and the judicial.
Executive Branch of Maine
The Maine Executive Branch is a well functioning body of the state government. Several state government departments work under the executive branch for the smooth functioning of the government. The Governor of Maine leads the executive branch of the government as the supreme executive head.
Governor of Maine
The Governor of Maine is the supreme executive head of the government. It is the duty of the Governor to see that
laws are executed faithfully. The Governor is also the commander in chief of the army and navy of the State, and of the militia. Qualifications required for the Governor are the Governor shall be not less than 30 years of age, he shall be a citizen of the United States for at least 15 years. The Governor is elected by the qualified electors and holds office for 4 years.
Contact DetailsOffice of the Governor
1 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0001
Phone: 207-287-3531
Fax: 207-287-1034
Website:
http://www.maine.gov/governor/lepage/
Secretary of State
The Secretary of State is chosen biennially at the first session of the Legislature, by Representatives in convention and joint ballot of the Senators. The records of the State are kept in the office of the Secretary. The Secretary of State keeps and preserves the records of all the official acts and proceedings of the Governor, House of Representatives and Senate and lays the same before either branch of the Legislature when required.
Contact DetailsOffice of the Secretary
148 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-0148
Phone: 207-626-8400
Fax: 207-287-8598
Website:
http://www1.maine.gov/sos/
State Treasurer
The Treasurer is chosen biennially by joint ballot of the Senators, and Representatives in convention, at the first session of the Legislature. The office provides state agencies with efficient banking and financial services, including revenue collection, reconciliation, payment issuance and trust management.
Contact DetailsOffice of the State Treasurer
39 State House Station
Burton M. Cross Office Building, 3rd floor
111 Sewall Street
Augusta, Maine 04333-0039
Phone: 207-624-7477
Website:
http://www.maine.gov/treasurer/
Legislative Branch of Maine
The Maine Legislature is the law making and supervising body of the state government of Maine. The Legislative power is vested in the legislature consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
House of Representatives
The Maine House of Representatives is the lower house of the Maine Legislature. The House of Representatives consists of 151 members, elected by the qualified electors and hold their office for 2 years. The qualified member of the House of Representatives shall be 5 years a citizen of the United States, shall be 21 years, and shall be a resident of the State. The House of Representatives choose the speaker who presides over the House of Representatives.
Contact DetailsMaine House of Representatives
2 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
Phone: (207) 287-1400
Maine Speaker29 Acorn Street
North Berwick, ME 03906
Phone: (207) 287-1300
Website:
http://www.speakereves.com/Read more on
House of Representatives
Senate
The Maine Senate is the upper house of the Maine Legislature. The Senate consists of an odd number of Senators, not less than 31 not more than 35, and are elected for a two year term. A qualified Senator should be 25 years of age and in all other respects their qualifications is same as those of the Representatives. The Senate chooses President who presides over the Senate workings. The Senate meets at the Maine State House in Augusta.
Contact DetailsMaine State Senate
3 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333
Phone: (207) 287-1540
Fax Line: (207) 287-1900
Office of the President of the Senate3 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333
Phone: (207) 287-1500
Fax: (207) 287-5862
Website:
mainesenatepresident.comRead more on
Maine SenateRead more on
Maine Legislature
Judicial Branch of Maine
The Judiciary is the system that employs and applies law and regulates any disputes ensuring justice in the state. The Judiciary has the authority to review the legislative and the executive actions. The judicial power of the state of Maine is vested in the Supreme Judicial Court and such other courts.
Supreme Court
The Supreme Judicial Court is Maine's highest court and the court of final appeal. The Supreme Court has 7 justices, led by the Chief Justice. The Court decides appeals on questions of law that arise in civil actions and criminal trials. The court is the procedural rule making authority for all of the state's courts.
Contact DetailsMaine Supreme Judicial Court Clerk's Office
205 Newbury Street
Room 139
Portland, Maine
Phone: (207) 822-4146
Website:
http://www.courts.maine.gov/maine_courts/supreme/index.shtml
Superior Court
The Superior hears any kind of civil or criminal case that may be brought to trial. The Superior Court consists of 17 justices. The Superior Court hears all murder and Class A, B, and C criminal cases, Class D and E cases in which the defendant asks for a jury trial.
Contact Details205 Newbury Street
Portland, ME 04101
Phone: (207) 822-4200
Website:
http://www.courts.maine.gov/maine_courts/superior/index.shtml
District Court
The District Court hears civil, criminal and family matters and always sits without a jury. The District Court has 36 judges.
Contact DetailsDistrict Court
205 Newbury Street
Portland, ME 04101
Phone: (207) 822-4200
Website:
http://www.courts.maine.gov/maine_courts/district/index.shtml
Business and Consumer Court
The Business and Consumer Court is a statewide docket that comprises of selected actions involving business and consumer disputes. It is managed by two judges from either trial court designated by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court.
Contact DetailsBusiness and Consumer Court Clerk's Office
205 Newbury Street, Ground Floor
Portland, Maine 04101
Phone: (207) 822-3220
Website:
http://www.courts.maine.gov/maine_courts/business/index.shtmlKnow more about
Maine Judicial Branch
Maine Taxation
The Maine Revenue Services manages and administers a standard tax laws in the state. The department's goal is to ensure efficient administration of tax laws and provide quality taxpayer assistance. Tax laws include entire laws and taxes on income, sales, property, excise and estate. They are:
Maine State Departments
In Maine various state departments work dedicatedly with the executive branch of the state government. The departments render their services in various sectors for the proper and smooth functioning of the state as a whole. Some of the important state departments in Maine are:
Maine Department of Health and Human Services
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services provides health care and social service support to the citizens of the state. The Department protects the lives of the people, strives to control and prevent disease and oversees all hospitals, nursing homes and other health care entities in the state.
Contact DetailsDepartment of Health and Human Services
221 State Street
Augusta, ME 04333
Phone: 207-287-3707
Fax: 207-287-3005
Website:
http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/
Maine Department of Education
The Maine Department of Education
supervises and manages the workings of all schools, and higher education
systems in the state. The department’s mission is to provide world
class education and best values to the students to ensure overall
progress and success. The department provides technical assistance,
resources and guidance for school districts to implement
proficiency-based education to promote student learning.
Contact DetailsMaine DOE
23 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0023
Phone: (207) 624-6600
Fax: (207) 624-6700
Website:
http://www.maine.gov/doe/
Maine Department of Transportation
The Maine Department of Transportation overviews the entire transportation network of the state and ensure safe and easy commuting of people and goods. The Maine DOT provides safe and secure mobility and travel options for the residents of the state and provide for a transportation system and services that are well maintained, reliable and efficient. The department strives to achieve transportation excellence in the state and develops plans and programs relating to the system of highways, roads, railways and
airways and waterways in Maine.
Contact DetailsMaine Department of Transportation
Child Street
16 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0016
Phone: (207) 624-3000
Fax: (207) 624-3001
Website:
http://www.maine.gov/mdot/
Office of the State Treasurer
The Office of the State Treasurer provides state agencies with efficient banking and financial services, including revenue collection, reconciliation, payment issuance and trust management.
Contact DetailsOffice of the State Treasurer
39 State House Station
Burton M. Cross Office Building, 3rd floor
111 Sewall Street
Augusta, Maine 04333-0039
Phone: 207-624-7477
Website:
http://www.maine.gov/treasurer/
Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry is the State's support center for natural resource, land-based interests and manages the state's agriculture, outdoor recreation forests, and public-access.
Contact DetailsMaine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
22 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0022
Phone: (207) 287-3200
Fax: (207) 287-2400
Website:
http://www.maine.gov/dacf/
References:
- Maine Statehood
