State and Local Government Chapter 9

Shared powers between state and DC Federalism: delegates specific powers to the national government, and other to the state government Shared powers between state and DC Only certain powers are reserved for the states, as per the 10th Amendment (RESERVED POWERS) Examples of specific powers of the National government are coin $, declare war, regulate commerce

Concurrent Powers Shared by the state and national government Example is taxation

State Government 3 branches One per state Each state has its own Constitution (and they are usually more specific than the US Constitution) Headed by a chief executive (Governor) Elected 4 year terms, 2 term max Has veto and line item veto power, makes appointments with approval, but executive staff does not need approval Must meet age/residency requirements per state

Lt. Governor Acts like a VP, assumes Governor’s duties when necessary Presides over State Senate Other appointments include: State Attorney General State Treasurer Secretary of State Civil Service workers

State Legislature Makes laws 49 of 50 states are bicameral (Nebraska is unicameral) Has a House and Senate Must meet age/residency requirements per state Represents people of a District Elected

State Judiciary If you violate state law then you go to state court Judges are appointed or elected (determined by the Bar Association in each state) Deals with issues related to state Constitution

State Finances 53% from taxes (income, sales, exise) License fees, tolls, lotteries…. 22% from federal government funding 23% from insurance trust revenue (for state workers pensions) Much of state $ is spent on education, public assistance, Medicaid, Highways, Public transportation, Corrections facilities

States regulate….. Motor vehicles-age, test, registration, inspection Education-in NJ funded through property tax, graduation requirements, testing, standards Marriage/Divorce, Child Custody Voting-registration, polling places Prisons-Long term/Felony go to state prison

What is a county? Division of a state Provide state services to county residents, assess property values for taxation, maintain voting records Created and regulated by the State

The Home Rule is….. Gives local governments the power to enact and carry out programs on their own without the direct guidance of the state

County Government Governed by a Board or Commission 5-7 members Called either Commissioner, Supervisor or Freeholder Passes laws Monitors people who carry out laws in the County Also have a Sheriff, District Attorney, treasurer, County Clerk

City: Urban center (municipality) Vary in size, population Has its own government Provides services (school, police, hospital, sanitation, rec facilities) Granted a Charter by the state to become incorporated….Gives the city a Constitution (if not incorporated then are governed by the state)

City Government Mayor-Council Mayor is elected citywide, council is elected by District Mayor appoints heads of Administrative Departments Also, a Council-Manager System: city council hires a city manager who operates the government, supervises agencies, given authority by the Council and the Mayor is elected to handle ceremonial duties

City Services Roads, Safety, Schools, Local Jails, Sanitation Zoning: building rules, decided at board hearings Municipal Courts:Housing issues, juveniles, family court, motor vehicles tickets No jury, cases are decided by Judges