North Carolina Government Roots of Government NC State Government Local Government and Finances

Roots of NC Government First in Freedom 1663 King Charles II grants allies territory south of Virginia Officially became 2 territories in 1729

Roots of NC Government Independence NC held congress in Wilmington to elect representatives to attend the Continental Congress The Mecklenburg Declaration Declared NC government was only lawful government in colony The Halifax Resolves 1st Colonial government to call for total independence from GB Constitutional Convention meets to create US Constitution  Creates a Federal System NC fears strong federal government  call for Bill of Rights

Roots of NC Government Constitution of NC Preamble - similar to US Constitution Declaration of Rights - civil liberties and basic rights Basic Principles: Popular Sovereignty - Ultimate power lies with people Separation of Powers - Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches Checks and Balances

Roots of NC Government Changes to the Constitution Constitution of 1776 Met in Halifax to create state constitution Two house legislature (General Assembly); Executive branch with governor and Council of State; Court system Constitution of 1835 voters gain power to elect the governor and approve or reject constitutional amendments; voting rights taken from African Americans and Native Americans Constitution of 1868 New constitution must be written after Civil War Abolished slavery & males over 21 could vote Constitution of 1971 lowered voting age from 21 to 18; governor serves 2 four year terms; governor can veto legislation

NC State Government The Legislative Branch The General Assembly Makes 2 kinds of laws General statutes that apply statewide Enact local/special laws to specific counties or cities General Assembly examines government operations  oversight allows legislatures to learn how well current laws are working General Assembly elects members to sit on University of NC Board of Governors

NC State Government Organization of General Assembly Bi-cameral  NC Senate (50 members) and NC House of Representatives (120 members) Members are elected from districts, whose lines are redrawn after every census Senate and house members are elected for 2 years, with no limit on terms Member of General Assembly rules: House  21 years old, live in the district for a year before election Senate  25 years old, live in district for a year before election Speaker of the House & Lieutenant Governor are leaders of the House and Senate; Senate also elects president pro-tempore

NC House Districts

NC Senate Districts

North Carolina State Government The Executive Branch The Governor is NC’s Chief of State & Chief Executive Governors roles: leader of state agencies administers state budget grants pardons to criminals or commutes (reduces) sentences Governor serves for 4 years, 2 consecutive term limit, can serve more than 2 nonconsecutive terms 30 years old US citizen for at least 5 years Must live in NC for 2 years Lieutenant Governor is like VP  President of Senate Governor and Lt. Governor run for office on separate tickets

NC State Government Executive Officers Governor appoints 10 department chairs to head various administrations  cabinet Some officers are appointed by Governor, other officers are elected by voters  Council of State ( Attorney General) Council of State operates independently of governor

Local Government and Finances Municipal Government Two basic types of local government: Counties: largest territorial and political subdivision 100 Counties  governing body is board of commissioners Voters elect county commissioner Commissioners set public policy, hire administrators (ex. social services) County hires a professional to run day to day operations  county manager Manager hires/fires for various departments & drafts budget

Local Government and Finances Municipality: cities, towns, villages Every county/municipality has a legislative and executive branch, sometimes judicial Local gov’t does not decide cases involving ordinances, state courts do that. Municipalities provide services to meet needs of its citizens Each has been incorporated (officially given a charter)  basic rules for government Cities can expand by annexation  bringing unincorporated land into an existing municipality All municipalities elect their own governing board  city/town council Most towns use “at-large” elections (all voters can vote), but some vote by district (ward) Citizens elect a major, but city council hires a “professional” to run the city  council-manager form of government