Lawmaking Chapter 2

Bell-Ringer 11/12 ► Copy and explain this quote. ► “Even when laws have been written down, they ought not always remain unaltered.”  Aristotle

What are some laws that have been challenged or changed over time? ► What changes do you see happening currently? ► Who makes these changes? ► What roles to citizens play in making sure our laws reflect our values?

Objectives: ► Roles of federal, state, and local lawmaking. ► Laws made at different levels. ► Define: ordinance, statute, bill, legislative intent. ► Purpose of Supremacy Clause ► Identify rules that judges use to determine intent. ► Interpret the intent of a law ► Five guidelines for drafting laws.

Role-play ► A proposal has been made to change the way that the Local School Council is chosen. ► “All students over the age of 14 should be able to vote for members of the school board.”

“All students over the age of 14 should be able to vote for all members of the Local School Council (LSC).” ► Perspectives  Students  Principal  Teachers  Parents  Community

Bell-Ringer 11/14 ► “All students over the age of 14 should be able to vote for all members of the Local School Council (LSC).” ► How might the principal of the school react to this proposal?

Lawmaking pages ► Where do laws come from? ► Laws come from many places  Legislators  Voters  Administrative agencies  Courts ► Legislatures  Power divided ► Federal vs. state  laws for all or some  Congress ► 2 houses ► Senate 100 members ► House of Reps. 435 mbrs.

Lawmaking pages ► Questions ► Notes

Lawmaking pages ► Questions ► Notes

Homework 11/12 ► The Unclear Law – Problem 2.2 (Handout) In small group, discuss whether each vehicle should be allowed in the park. (10 minutes)

Review Quiz ► What do legislatures do? ► Make laws  U.S. Congress  Illinois General Assembly  Chicago City Council  Bicameral – two houses  Unicameral – one house

Legislative Powers ► FederalSharedStates

Problem 2.1 ► Parking laws ► School Law ► Bank Robbery ► Vendor’s permit ► Discrimination in workplace ► Interstate Travel ► Immigration?

Bell-Ringer 11/17 Copy and fill in the blanks. ► Laws are the _______and regulations made and enforced by __________ that regulate the ___________ of__________ in a society.

► The Unclear Law – Problem 2.2 (Handout) In small group, discuss whether each vehicle should be allowed in the park. (10 minutes)

Rewrite the Law ► Homework: ► After your discussion, rewrite the regulation in problem 2.2 to better address the “intent” of the law.

Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4 A No, not safe, not for time savings No, speeding, dangerous No, not necessary B Yes, clean park Yes, public service/job No, too loud Yes, clean place, air C No, speeding is dangerous Yes, catch criminal /sirens No, dangerous D No, might make more injury Yes, save lives Yes, save lives/sirens Yes, life and death E Yes, stroller not a vehicle Yes, not dangerous Yes, not disruptive, not a vehicle Yes, no pollution. F Yes, not disruptive Yes, harmless Yes, harmless. No, dangerous. Tyler stinks. G Yes, wheelchair is necessary Yes, needs it. Yes, no harm Yes, discrimination

► Legislative intent  What is the purpose of a law? ► What do you want to happen? ► The Unclear Law  Intent ► Safety of people ► Preserve the environment

Problem 2.3: Drafting a Law ► A. Problem? ► B. Legislative Intent ► C. Details to be addressed ► D. Draft Proposal ► E. Guidelines (Check?) ► Guidelines?  Clear Language  Understandable  Effective date  Contradictions  Enforceable  Penalties

Period 8 Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4 A No, not safe No, pollution No exceptions No, not an emergency No, not necessary route B No, dirty, pollute environment No, too big, dangerous No, should find another way Yes, needed to keep things clean C No, cause accident No, safety Yes, dangerous criminal No, danger to citizens D No, cause accident No, safety Yes, save a life Yes, save a life. Emergency E Yes, not a vehicle. Yes, not dangerous, only a baby Yes, no harm. Yes, safe. F No, dangerous to children No, kids might hurt themselves No, damage the grass G

Tuesday Bell-Ringer 11/18 ► What was the legislative intent of putting up this sign in the park? No Vehicles in the Park

Agencies ► Administrative agencies authorized by legislative action. ► Agencies develop rules and regulations  Make laws more specific ► Example: OHSA Occupational Safety Health Administration  Congress empowered to improve working conditions  Handicap ramps, guardrails, cleanliness, air quality

Agencies ► EPA – Environmental Protection Agency  Enforce environmental laws ► Department of Homeland Security  Formed after September 11, 2001  Protect, defend against terrorism ► TSA – Transportation Security Admin.  Protect roads, airports, trains  Part of the Department of Transportation

Local Agencies ► Most affect on you…  Building codes  Business licenses  Local School Council ► Agencies are “hidden” lawmakers.  Hold Public Hearings to inform and gauge opinions  Congress – “Printed in Federal Register”

Wednesday - Bell-Ringer 11/19 ► No man's life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session. – ► Mark Twain (1866) Mark Twain Mark Twain ► Explain Twain’s quote.

Bell-Ringer 11/20 Why do you think former President Ronald Reagan would have said this? “Government is not a solution to our problems, government is the problem."

Courts ► Trials  Defendant can appeal  Appeals/Appellate Court  Precedent ► A written opinion ► Establishes a traditional interpretation of law.

Legal Precedent ► Case: Brown vs. Board of Education ► Brown's daughter Linda, a third grader, had to walk six blocks to her school bus stop to ride to Monroe Elementary, her segregated black school one mile away, while Sumner Elementary, a white school, was only seven blocks from her house. Monroe Elementary Monroe Elementary ► Ruling by the court…  “Education…is a right which must be made available to all on equal terms.”

International Lawmaking ► Applies to conduct of countries  Treaties – a contract among countries ► Regulate International  Trade  Refugees  Borders  Ownership rights  Copyrights and patents  United Nations 1945 ► New York – 200 countries meet ► U.N. Charter, World Trade Organization, UNESCO ► Heavily funded by U.S. / Not always followed by U.S. ► World Court  European Union (EU) 2003 ► Countries of Europe Unite ► Laws, currency, parliament

Assignment 11/20 ► Problem 2.5: United Nations Action ► Binder Check – Monday ► Test on Monday