Welcome to New York!!! Empire State of Mind

Excelsior Ever Upward

Quick Facts Population History NYS Government Site

State Government State Government deals with matters within their own state –Schools –State Roads –State Taxes –State Police

State Government Executive Branch Headed by the governor Elected to 4 year term Carries out laws of the state Proposes state budget Commander of the state militia Can veto bills

State Government Legislative Branch Makes state laws New York Senate has 61 members - 4 year terms New York assembly has year terms Chief Officer assembly speaker Legislature convenes in January Bill Becoming a law NYS Site

State Government Judicial Branch Interprets and applies state laws New York Court of Appeals - appointed for 14 years State Supreme Court - elected for a 14 year term

Other Kinds of Government County Government –NY has 62 counties City Government –controls an area with large population Town Government Village Government The People

Provide Public Service Protect the Safety of their Citizens Provide a System of Justice Protect the Rights of Individuals Promote the Well Being of their Citizens Purpose of State & Local Governments Establish local fire departments Patrol state highways Build Roads Sanitation facilities & Provide state funds for schools Maintain state prison system Pass local fair housing laws

What is a Citizen? Two kinds of citizens Native-born citizens –Born here –Children of American citizens born while visiting other countries Naturalized citizens –Have to be at least 18 –From other countries –Lived here 5 years to qualify –3 years if they’re married to an American citizen

Citizen’s Rights Countries protect their citizens and give them rights Naturalized and Native-born citizens have the same rights, except one Naturalized citizens can’t run for president Citizens can vote Freedom of Religion Freedom of Speech Freedom of the Press