Pennsylvania Government

Levels of Government Type of Government Location People involved Federal or National Washington DC. President US Senators US Representatives Governor State Senators State Representative State Harrisburg County Washington PA County Commissioners Local McGuffey School District School board members Local Morris Township, Claysville, Blain, Buffalo, South Franklin, Donegal, East and West Finley Mayor, Supervisors, or Commissioners

What is a Constitution? Our state’s government has been outlined in our state Constitution The word Constitution means “An official Plan of Government” People in our state government work to pass new laws, maintain law and order, provide highways, schools, and health care for the people of our state

Which one came first? Pennsylvania United States Was written before the United Constitution in 1776 Was written 11 years after the Pennsylvania state constitution in 1787

What do the have in Common? The Pennsylvania Constitution influenced the United States Constitution The both use a separation of power and set up three branches of Government. Legislative Branch, Executive Branch, and Judicial Branch

Influences? William Penn- all people Are equal and the idea of the General Assembly, allowing People to participate in the Government Montesquieu- separation of power, so one group or person cannot control the government. The reason why we have three Branches

What is the Job of the Legislative Branch? The Legislative Branch writes the state laws They are made of two groups the house of representatives and the Senate

What is the job of each part of the legislative branch? House of Representatives Senate Write and vote on laws Will serve a two year term We have 203 representatives Write and vote on laws Will serve a four year term We have 50 State Senators Peter Daley East and West Finley , Morris, Donegal, Claysville , Blaine, and Buffalo Jesse White South Franklin State Senator Tim Solobay

Terms for Legislative Branch General Assembly- What the Senate and House of Representatives are called when they meet together. Bills- are written suggestions for laws, they are discussed in the General Assembly. They must be passed by a simple majority in both the House and Senate.

What happens when a bill is passed? When a bill is passed by both parts of the General Assembly, then the Governor can…. Sign the Bill into law Or Veto- or reject the law

What happens when a bill is Vetoed? If a bill is Vetoed it could still become a law This is called overriding the governor’s veto It must be approved by 2/3 of the House and It must be approved by 2/3 of the Senate The bill will then become a law without the governor’s signature.

What is the job of the Executive Branch ? The executive branch must see that laws are carried out

What is their job? The Governor – Tom Corbett Is the leader of the Executive branch Serves a four year term Lieutenant Governor – Jim Cawley Will help the Governor He will also serve as governor if the governor dies or becomes too ill to perform his duties

Has the Lt. Governor ever had to step up as Governor? After 9-11 Pennsylvania’s Governor, Tom Ridge, was chosen by President George Bush to be the director of Home Land Security The Lt. Governor Mark Schweiker had to step in as Governor

Attorney General responsibility for the prosecution of crime prosecuted by the commonwealth included organized crime public corruption consumer protection. Will represent the commonwealth and reviews rules and regulation made by agencies. Kathleen Kane

What is their job? The treasurer manages the money that the state collects in taxes and other sources The auditor general see to it that all the collected money is legally spent Rob McCord Eugene DePasquale

Departments of the Executive Branch Job and Purpose Department of Education Manages Public Education Department of Transportation Driver Licenses Department of Agriculture Farms and farmers Department of Environmental Resources Manage state parks Department of Commerce Business and trade Department of public welfare Provides services for adults, children, and people with disabilities State Police Enforces laws

What is the Job of the Judicial Branch? They will interpret the laws and tell us that the laws mean when they are questioned. They also decide whether someone or some group has broken a law They determine the punishment for ones found guilty They also deal with disagreements between agencies, people, and business involving the state

What is the job of the Supreme Court? Oldest one is the country Supervises all statewide courts Will hear causes involving the interpretation of the state constitution There are no juries, lawyers present their causes to a panel of judges

What is the job of the Supreme Court? The judges are elected for 10 year terms There are only 7 judges A case is won with a simple majority rule

What is the job of the Superior Court? The Superior Court will hear cased that are being appealed from lower courts before they are heard by the Supreme Court. Many cases are settled here and do not make it to the Supreme Court

What is the job of the Commonwealth Court? The Commonwealth court will hear cases against the state government

Judicial Branch at the local level- District Justices District Justices interpret laws at the local level They issue warrants for arrest and also search warrants They can determine if a case goes to the Common Pleas court They can administer and collect fines for illegal acts such as speeding and littering

The Judicial Branch at the local level = Common Pleas Court Common Pleas Court will hear cases involving all types of crime and civil cases An example of a civil case would be a disagreements between two parties such as a contract, property, or insurance claims.

Relate our state Government to the way our school functions Legislative Branch = makes the laws Executive Branch= enforces the law (Governor and State Police) Judiciary Branch= court system School Board = makes the rules The Principal and the teachers The school Superintendent

Comparing and Contrasting State and Federal Government Executive Branch Governor Lieutenant Governor Can Veto or Sign a bill into law Has departments Executive Branch President Vice President Can veto or sign a bill into law Has departments

Comparing and Contrasting State and Federal Government Supreme Court Are the laws constitutional? Cases are won with a simple majority Made up of 7 judges (no jury) Judges are elected Judges have a ten year term Supreme Court Are the laws constitutional? Cases are won with a simple majority Made up of 9 judges (no jury) Judges are appoint by the President and approved by the congress Judges serve for life

Comparing and Contrasting State and Federal Government Legislative Branch House of Representatives Senate Together both General Assembly Can override a veto Legislative Branch House of Representatives Senate Together both are called Congress Can override a veto

Who represents us in the United States Congress? United State Congressman Tim Murphy US. Senator Robert Casey US. Senator Pat Toomey

Sites used http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/index.cfm?CFID=119360139&CFTOKEN=95555901 http://www.patreasury.gov/ http://www.auditorgen.state.pa.us/ http://www.casey.senate.gov/ http://murphy.house.gov/ http://www.pacapitol.com/Main.html http://www.washingtoncourts.us/pages/home.aspx