State Legislatures Chapter 11 Section 2

Key Terms  Apportioned  Initiative  Referendum  Recall  Revenue  Sales tax  Excise tax  Income tax  Bonds

Who are State Legislatures  Early years the were little demands of the state  Legislators would only meet a few weeks a year  As country grew so did the demand on the legislatures

 Difficult to balance their job and the duties of legislator  Today most are full time  Most have studied political science or law  Some have spent time in government service  Most plan a lifelong career in politics

Organization of State Legislatures  All states except Nebraska are bicameral  Upper House is called the Senate  Lower House is know as the House of Representatives  Some states it is called the Assembly or General Assembly

Sessions  Divide legislative terms into two session  Most states hold annual sessions  A few meet every other year  Most sessions are 20 days up to 6 months  Governor can call special session

Representatives  Seats are apportioned- divided among districts on the basis of equal representation  Representatives have district of almost equal population  Apportioned on a geographical basis

Representatives  Reynolds v Sims (1964)Supreme court ruled that apportionment of both houses of state legislatures must be based on population  Most states do this every ten years after the census

Making Laws  Primary function of State legislature  Bills are introduced and discussed through committee  Both houses must agree  Governor must sign it  State citizen feel they have more voice

Initiative  Initiative- is the process by which citizens can propose laws  Citizens meet and gather signatures for a petition (5-10% of voters)  Put to a state wide vote  If majority approves it becomes a law

Referendum  Referendum-the process by which a law is referred to voters to accept or reject  Almost all states use this for constitutional amendments  Both initiatives and referendums is how citizens take the law into their own hands

Recall  Recall-a process for removing elected officials from office  Usually begun by citizens who feel the official is not doing a good job  Gather signatures on a petition  If majority agrees the person must leave office

The California Recall  25 states have the recall option  Used infrequently  2003 in California they recalled the Governor –State was facing an economic crisis –100 people ran for the office  Arnold Schwarzenegger won, only the second time it has happened

Checking the Other Branches  State legislatures have the power to –Oversee and check judicial and executive branches –Approve judges and officials appointed by the governor –How agencies are doing their job –Impeach legislators

Checking the Other Branches –Can determine the guilt or innocence of those impeached –Process similar to that of the federal government

Financing State Government  Taxes-revenue or income  Sales tax-or charges made on purchases of goods and services  A percentage of the purchased item  Almost all good in most states

Financing State Governments  Excise tax-a charge on certain goods, such as alcoholic beverages, gasoline and tobacco  Income tax-a tax on earnings of individuals and businesses  Income tax is a percentage of the money an individual or business makes

Financing State Governments  Bonds-certificates people buy from the government  These are sold because the state needs to borrow money  Government agrees to pay back plus interest –Funds schools to build convention centers

Financing State Governments  Federal funds  States have been increasingly dependent on them  Comes in two forms –Block grants –Categorical grants

Financing State Government  Categorical Grants are given for specific purposes –Job training –Highway construction  Come with strings attached  Conditions must be met before the state can use the funds  Block grants are more general and state can decide how to spend them