Unit #5: State and Local Government

Select enumerated, reserved, or concurrent for each power 1.Coining money 2.Enforce laws 3.Establish local governments 4.Maintain army and navy 5.Borrow money

NC State Government

I. The Legislative Branch Called General Assembly – Has a Senate (50) and House of Representatives (120) Members are elected to 2 year terms

II. Executive Branch Governor: Chief Executive of the State – Current NC Governor: Beverly Perdue Lieutenant Governor: Takes place of Governor in case of vacancy

III.Judicial Branch 4 Levels: – District—lowest level, misdemeanors – Superior—felonies – NC Court of Appeals—appeals – NC Supreme Court—highest level, appeals 2 Important State Cases: – State v. Mann (1830) – Leandro v. NC (1997)

Class Starter Classify each power as enumerated, reserved, or concurrent. 1.Declare war 2.Collect taxes 3.Conduct elections 4.Regulate interstate and foreign trade 5.Provide for the general welfare of citizens

Local Government

I. County Government Largest unit of local government Legislative Branch—County Board of Commissioners Executive Branch—County Manager/Sheriff Kenneth Sealy Ricky Harris

II. City Government Set up through the process of incorporation Legislative Branch—City Council Executive Branch—Mayor/City Manager

1.What is the legislative branch of city government? 2.What are ordinances? 3.Explain annexation. 4.Explain the Council-Manager form of government.

State and Local Government Budgets

I. State Budget Governor writes the budget and sends it to General Assembly – Written in odd years, adjusted in even years NC Constitution says budget MUST be balanced

State Expenditures: – Over ½ on Education, Health and Human Services State Revenues: – Intergovernmental Revenue, Sales tax **Pg. 683

II. County and City Budgets Both are proposed by the manager, and approved by the legislature (commissioners or council) NC Constitution says budgets MUST be balanced

County Expenditures: Public school systems, health/human services, public safety County Revenues: Property taxes, intergovernmental revenue, bonds **Pg. 683

City Expenditures: Utilities and public safety City Revenues: Utility user fees, property taxes, intergovernmental revenue, bonds

Supreme Court Cases Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) – Ruled that “separate but equal” laws in the South were constitutional Brown v. Board of Education (1954) – Ruled that “separate but equal” laws in the South were not constitutional Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education (1971) – Ruled that schools can bus students to other schools in the district for integration as a result of the Brown case

1.Who prepares the NC budget? 2.What is the largest source of income (revenues) for state government? 3.What is the largest source of income (revenues ) for local government? 4.What is a pocket veto?

Public Policy

I. Introduction Definition: the course of action the government takes in response to an issue or problem Best way to impact public policy—GO VOTE!

II. Public Education State sets graduation and teacher standards Each county pays for its own school system with county tax $ In response to concerns about public education, NC legislators allowed the creation of charter schools Good: small classes, innovative teaching, less restrictions Bad: takes $ away from other schools, lacks diversity

III. Public Safety City Police (city limits) and Sheriff (county) enforces laws NC Highway Patrol—enforces traffic laws on state highways and all public roads State Bureau of Investigation—Investigates state crimes; helps other law enforcement agencies

IV. Land Use Local governments regulate how land is used to protect property values and protect health/safety City/County Zoning Boards establish zoning laws Laws that determine where certain facilities can be built in a county or city Some local governments give businesses tax breaks to locate to their towns

Supreme Court Cases Regents of the University of California v. Bakke – College admissions quotas based on race are unconstitutional – It’s ok to consider the race of a student, but it can’t be the only factor!