Unit 6: State and Local Government American Government and Citizenship

State Constitutions State constitutions: create state governments and establish the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. establish local governments. regulate how state and local governments can raise and spend money. establish independent state agencies, boards, and commissions.

Georgia’s Constitution Newest version: 1983 Shorter than earlier versions Basic framework of Georgia’s government. Supreme state law in Georgia (takes precedence over all other local laws and ordinances) 89 pages in length (as opposed to 6 pages)

Amending the Constitution Amendment proposed by the General Assembly or constitutional convention House of Representativ es and Senate must approve with 2/3s vote People vote in the next general election; if the majority favors the amendment becomes a part of the Constitution The ratified amendment takes effect the following January 1 As of 2008 there were 70 amendments in the Georgia’s Constitution

Comparing Constitutions Georgia’s Constitution U.S. Constitution Article I Bill of Rights Legislative Branch Article II Voting and Elections Executive Branch Article III Legislative Power Judicial Branch Article IV Constitutional Boards and Commissions State Boundaries and Protection Article V Amending the Constitution Article VI National Supremacy Article VII Taxation and Finance Ratification of the Constitution Article VIII Education Amendments 1-10 Article IX County and Municiple Organizations Amendments 11-20 Other Amendments Article X Amendments to the Constitution Article XI Miscellaneous Provisions

Methods of the Amendment Process 1st Method: Amendment must be proposed by 2/3 of each house and ratified by ¾ of the state legislatures (38 states) 2nd Method: Amendment may be proposed by Congress and ratified by convention in ¾ of the States 3rd Method: Amendment may be proposed by a national convention, called by Congress by the request of 2/3 (34 states) of the State legislatures 4th Method: Amendment my be proposed by a national convention and ratified by conventions in ¾ of the States

Summary How is Georgia’s Constitution different from/ similar to the U.S. Constitution?

How is the state government of Georgia organized?

State Legislatures Members are elected from districts. Qualifications for members are outlined in state constitutions. Many work part-time in other fields. Most state legislatures: are bicameral hold annual sessions conduct business through committees Georgia’s Legislature is called the Georgia General Assembly.

General Assembly Senate Districts Douglas County has 4 Representatives House of Representatives Districts Senate Districts Douglas County has 4 Representatives DC has 2 Senate seats

Representatives of Douglas County District 64- Kimberly Alexander District 67 Micah Gravley

Representatives of Douglas County District 61- Roger Bruce District 62- LaDawn Jones

Representatives of Douglas County District 65 Sharon Beasley-Teague District 66 Dustin Hightower

Senators Senate District 35 Senate District 30 Donzilla James Bill Hamrick

Primary Functions Pass state budget Establish spending priorities (education) Setting tax rates Create laws Consider proposed amendments Reapportionment of legislative lines (State and Federal)

House of Representatives 180 Districts (1 rep. for each 30,000 voters) Qualifications: Must be 21 years old lived for a least 1 year in the district lived for a least 2 years in Georgia. 36 standing committees Speaker of the House rules the House. Elected by the majority party. Appoints all committee chairs. Schedules debates and votes Other Key offices Floor Leader Majority/ Minority Leader

Senate 56 Districts Qualifications: Must be 25 years old lived for a least 1 year in the district lived for a least 2 years in Georgia. 26 Standing Committees Lieutenant Governor Elected by the people

The Executive Branch The governor vetoes or signs passed bills. The governor heads the executive branch of the state government. State constitutions outline qualifications of the governor. A governor generally must be nominated by a political party and win the general election. Most governors serve four-year terms. In 18 states, governors and other officials can be removed from office by a recall.

The Executive Branch The governor signs laws, represents the state to foreign businesses, is his or her party’s state leader, and works to obtain federal grants. Most governors prepare the state budget and are commander in chief of the state National Guard. Most states elect other members of the executive branch, such as the Lieutenant Governor.

The Executive Branch Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue. Two term Governor. Former State Senator and Veterinarian. Republican. 63 years old.

The Executive Branch Georgia Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle Presides over the State Senate. First Republican Lieutenant Governor in state history. Former businessman.

The Judicial Branch State courts interpret and apply state and local laws to civil and criminal cases. The justice court performs marriages and handles minor civil and criminal cases. State and local governments are responsible for protecting life and property, and for establishing a criminal code and a system of punishment. State courts handle the majority of all criminal cases in the United States.

State Regulation of Business Business corporations must have a charter issued by a state government. Federal and state governments regulate giant corporations. State governments provide workers’ compensation. State governments try to attract new business and industry.

Providing Education, Health, and Welfare State governments provide about 45 percent of revenues for local public schools. They set the standards for educational achievement. States set the standards for marriage laws. The state licenses doctors and dentists, regulates the sale of medicines, and requires vaccinations for schoolchildren. State agencies provide programs of public welfare, health and human services. With federal assistance, states help people with special needs. With Medicaid assistance, states help low-income people pay medical bills.

State Tax Revenue State constitutions limit state taxing powers, as does the Constitution of the U.S. Today, most state governments have some type of sales tax, which accounts for about half of the total tax revenue of state governments. Most states now also have individual income taxes and corporate income taxes, which account for more than 30% of all state tax revenues.

State Tax Revenues States require license fees for various businesses and professions, as well as for operating motor vehicles. States impose taxes for removing natural resources from state land or water. Many states also have less well-known taxes, such as a state property tax and estate taxes.

Other Sources of Revenue Nearly three-fourths of the states run public lotteries to raise revenue. The federal government provides about 20% of all state revenues, much in the form of grants, and stipulates how they may be used.

Georgia Information Atlanta is Georgia’s Capital. The State bird is the Brown Thrasher. The State flower is the Cherokee Rose. 13th British Colony, 4th State to join the Union Known as the “Peach State.” State Moto: “Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation.” http://www.theus50.com/georgia/information.shtml