Do Now Grab a Textbook Write the Date and Daily Objective Start Chapter 12 vocab in your notebooks

Chapter 12 State Government

Chapter Intro 1 State governments mirror the federal government in their organization. State governments, being closer to the citizens, have a great influence on people’s daily lives and activities.

Section 1 The Federal System

Do you think the federal government should have more power than state governments? A. Yes B. No A B

Constitutional Basis for Federalism Big Idea Section 1: The Federal System Under our federal system, power is shared between the national government and the state governments. Our federal system also establishes a special relationship between the national government and those of the individual states. The U.S. Constitution created a federal system of government in which the central government and the state governments share power.

Constitutional Basis for Federalism (cont.) The Constitution created a federal system that gives the national government certain powers and reserves others for the state.

Constitutional Basis for Federalism (cont.) Constitutional protection of states: Cannot be divided or merged without consent Can maintain National Guard Can make state laws and govern independently

Constitutional Basis for Federalism (cont.) Constitutional limits on states: Cannot declare war Cannot enter a treaty on its own with another country

Constitutional Basis for Federalism (cont.) Constitutional limits on states: Cannot impose taxes on imports from other countries or states Are obligated to guarantee all Americans equal protection

Constitutional Basis for Federalism (cont.) Tenth Amendment and states’ reserved powers: Establish marriage laws Regulate education Hold elections

Constitutional Basis for Federalism (cont.) Organize police forces Build roads and bridges Create local governments

Constitutional Basis for Federalism (cont.) Concurrent powers shared by federal and state governments: Impose taxes Borrow money Supremacy clause grants Congressional laws supreme power over state laws.

Constitutional Basis for Federalism (cont.) States Rights v. Nationalism States should limit federal government “Necessary and proper” clause grants the authority to expand national government Federal/State cooperation: Roads, education, welfare Grant-in-aid awards

Constitutional Basis for Federalism (cont.) Interstate cooperation: “Full faith and credit” clause Maintain “republican form of government” Extradition Sharing responsibilities

Why do you think the founders established a federal system? A. To establish a stronger national government B. To balance state and national interests C. To replace a system that had become problematic D. All the above A B C D

State Constitutions While differing in details, all state constitutions share many characteristics.

State Constitutions (cont.) Each state has its own constitution, or plan of government. Similarities to U.S. Constitution: Separation of powers Bills of rights Organization of government branches Election methods

State Constitutions (cont.) Establish various local governments: Counties Townships Municipalities Special districts Parishes Boroughs

State Constitutions (cont.) Regulate government spending and taxing Establish independent state agencies and boards Cannot include provisions that clash with U.S. Constitution

Section 1 State governments should set up their own local governments because state officials are more familiar with local conditions and needs than is the federal government. A. Agree B. Disagree A B

Section 2 The State Legislative Branch

How Legislatures Function Big Idea Section 2: The State Legislative Branch The Constitution gives the legislative branch—Congress—the power to make laws. State governments, which generally mirror the federal government in organization, address problems closer to citizens. The Constitution gives the legislative branch—Congress—the power to make laws. State legislatures pass the laws that govern the states.

How Legislatures Function (cont.) Organization: Different sizes Bicameral or unicameral Terms of representatives Residency and age requirements Job requirements Legislative leaders

How Legislatures Function (cont.) Legislative functions: Sources of bills Process by which bills become law

How Legislatures Function (cont.) Legislative districts: Based on national census taken every 10 years Districts usually drawn by state legislatures By 1960s, malapportionment in area-based districts leads to court rulings ordering all districts to be apportioned by population

Section 2 The redrawing of legislative districts A. is usually done by state legislatures. B. takes place every ten years. C. can lead to conflicts between political parties. D. all the above A B C D

Problems Facing States Today’s state governments face many difficult challenges.

Problems Facing States (cont.) Many states face budgetary problems: Difficulty in raising tax rates Fewer federal grants Program and service cuts Urban dominance of legislatures

Most Americans object to tax increases because they A. need the money to support themselves and their families. B. think the government will spend the money on programs of which they disapprove. C. believe that current rates would be sufficient if the government eliminated waste, mismanagement, and inefficiency. D. dislike paying for services which they may or may not use. A B C D

Section 3 The State Executive Branch

Executive officers, including governors, should not have the power to pardon convicted criminals. A. Agree B. Disagree A B

Powers and Duties of the Governor Big Idea Section 3: The State Executive Branch The Constitution gives the executive branch the power to execute, or implement, the law. Like the president on the national level, governors are the chief executives of the states. The Constitution gives the executive branch the power to execute, or implement, the law. Governors are the chief executives in all state governments.

Powers and Duties of the Governor (cont.) The heads of state executive branches are called governors. Requirements for office: Citizenship Age Residency Experience

Powers and Duties of the Governor (cont.) Terms of office Typically four years Can be impeached or removed by a “recall” election

Powers and Duties of the Governor (cont.) Governors’ powers and functions: Execute state laws Issue executive orders Prepare budgets Suggest new bills Veto and line-item veto

Powers and Duties of the Governor (cont.) Issue pardons, commute sentences, grant parole Head National Guard Act as party leader for the state

Section 3 The minimum-age requirement of 30 for many gubernatorial candidates is A. too high. B. too low. C. reasonable. D. outdated. A B C D

Executive Departments Top officials in charge of executive departments assist the governor.

Executive Departments (cont.) Every state has a number of executive officials who assist the governor: Secretaries of state manage elections and maintain official records. Attorneys general represent the state in lawsuits and provide legal advice.

Executive Departments (cont.) Treasurers collect taxes and invest state funds. Auditors review record-keeping of state agencies.

Executive Departments (cont.) State executive departments, agencies, boards, and commissions: Departments of agriculture, labor, justice, etc. Boards of health Departments of public works and highways State welfare boards

Section 3 Do you agree that secretaries of state should be elected, not appointed? A. Agree B. Disagree A B

Section 4 The State Judicial Branch

Section 4-Polling Question Do you think that judges who are elected by popular vote are more likely to consider the popularity of a decision before rendering an opinion? A. Yes B. No A B

The State Court System Big Idea Section 4: The State Judicial Branch The judicial branch is charged with interpreting the law. Different levels of state courts administer justice. Most legal matters within a state are handled by the state’s court system. The judicial branch is charged with interpreting the law.

The State Court System (cont.) Most legal matters are settled in state courts. Three-level organization of courts: Minor law violations and lawsuits Serious crimes and large-scale civil cases Appeals

The State Court System (cont.) First-level courts: “Justice courts” in rural areas and small towns Police or magistrate courts in more populated towns and cities Municipal courts in large cities

The State Court System (cont.) “Justice courts”: Justice of the peace Misdemeanors No juries

The State Court System (cont.) Police or magistrate courts in more populous areas: Minor cases Civil cases involving small sums

The State Court System (cont.) Municipal courts are often subdivided by specialty: Juvenile Traffic Small claims (for small-scale civil cases)

The State Court System (cont.) In minor civil cases, plaintiffs and defendants without lawyers speak for themselves before a judge. Second-level courts, or general trial courts, handle felonies and large-scale civil cases: Often held before juries Role of judges in jury trials

The State Court System (cont.) General trial courts may be called district, county, common pleas, circuit, or superior courts. Third-level courts: Intermediate appeals courts Supreme Court

The State Court System (cont.) Appeals courts: Review trial-court decisions No juries Panel of judges decide cases by majority vote

The State Court System (cont.) Supreme Court: Court of last resort Reviews appellate decisions Decides cases by majority vote Interprets state’s constitution and laws Decisions final, except in cases involving the U.S. Constitution or federal law

Section 4 Do you agree that the U.S. Supreme Court should not be allowed to overturn the decisions of state Supreme Courts? A. Agree B. Disagree A B

Selection of Judges State judges can be elected, appointed, or chosen in a way that combines both methods.

Selection of Judges (cont.) States have different methods for selecting judges: Elected by popular vote Appointed by state legislature or governor Combination of appointment and election Election of judges is controversial

Selection of Judges (cont.) Judicial tenure: Longer terms of office (6–12 years) May be removed by impeachment Can also face review by judicial boards with authority to recommend removal by state supreme courts

Section 4 Do you agree that judges who serve longer terms will be more likely to render impartial decisions than judges who serve shorter terms? A. Agree B. Disagree A B

The Federal System We live in a federal system in which there are 50 separate state governments and one federal government. The U.S. Constitution gives a broad range of powers to state governments.

State Constitutions State constitutions are similar in structure to the U.S. Constitution. They include the following: A preamble A bill of rights An outline of the framework of government A listing of state powers and responsibilities A provision for local government The methods of amending the constitution

State Legislative Branch State legislators are chosen by popular vote. The lawmaking machinery in the state legislatures is similar to that used in the U.S. Congress. All state legislatures, except Nebraska’s, are bicameral.

State Executive Branch The governor is the chief executive officer in each of the 50 states. Important executive powers of the governor include appointing and removing officials, administering laws, planning and carrying out the budget, and commanding the National Guard.

State Judicial Branch State courts interpret and apply state and local laws. State judges are selected by the governor, by the legislature, or by the people. Crimes are defined by state statutes, which are laws enacted by state legislatures.