How do state and local governments work in New York? LESSON 9

What is Local Government? Lowest level of government in each state Responsible for the day-to-day running of a ward, district, county or city Local authorities are usually elected Responsibilities often include the provision of public transportation public recreational facilities the monitoring and enforcing of many environmental regulations raising/lowering taxes (especially property taxes)

Purposes of Local Government EDUCATION – school districts are a form of local government with elected boards FIRE PROTECTION – Fire departments are typically operated by local governments LAW ENFORCEMENT – police departments serve the people HEALTH – local health departments oversee immunization & disease control RECORDS – keepers of deeds, marriage licenses, motor vehicle/boating licensing SANITATION – provide trash and snow removal, water & sewer services; road & park maintenance

How do state and local governments fit into the federal system? SIMILARITIES IN LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT Democratic form Popular, competitive elections Staffed by both appointed and elected officials Separation of powers Written constitutions Bicameral legislatures (except Nebraska) Revenue through taxation Court systems

How do state and local governments fit into the federal system? DIFFERENCES FOUND IN STATE AND LOCAL SYSTEMS People vote for officials and on major issues (ex: budgets) Direct election for executive branch officials  indirect election for President/Vice President on federal level Party leaders have great influence over key legislative positions Direct election for judges

Dean Skelos & Jeff Klein Who are the key leaders in our state and local governments? Look up the answers: GOVERNOR Andrew Cuomo LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR Bob Duffy ATTORNEY GENERAL Eric Schneiderman COMPTROLLER Thomas DiNapoli SPEAKER OF ASSEMBLY Sheldon Silver SENATE MAJORITY COALITION Dean Skelos & Jeff Klein YOUR ASSEMBLYMAN Tom McKevitt YOUR STATE SENATOR Kemp Hannon

New York State Governor: Andrew Cuomo

Town Governments Supervisor Town Board (Council Members) Town Clerk Receiver of Taxes

New York State 3 branches of government Executive Branch Governor Cuomo Comptroller Attorney Geneneral

Who can become the Chief Executive of New York State? GOVERNOR: The Chief Executive of a State Must meet specific age, citizenship, and residency requirements Most live in residences provided to them by the state or a state foundation Chosen by popular vote Only a plurality is needed for an election  except in Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi (50% or more) GEORGE CLINTON New York’s First Governor (1777-1795) GOVERNORS HELD LITTLE POWER IN THE BEGINNING-THE ACTIONS OF THE ROYAL GOVERNORS INSPIRED MUCH OF THE RESENTMENT THAT FUELED THE REVOLUTION. THAT ATTITUDE WAS CARRIED OVER INTO THE FIRST STATE CONSTITUTIONS. THE STATE GOVERNORS USED TO BE CHOSEN BY THE LEGISLATURE AND FOR ONLY ONE YEAR. AGE- USUALLY 25-30 YEARS OF AGE. MUST LIVE IN THE STATE FOR AT LEATS FIVE YEARS. NEW YORK STATE REQUIREMENTS 30 years of age United States citizen Resident for 5 years preceding election

Who can become the Chief Executive of their state? GOVERNOR’S ADMINISTRATION: Consists of several other elected officials LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR: Bob Duffy ATTORNEY GENERAL: Eric Schneiderman COMPTROLLER: Thomas DiNapoli LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR EXISTS IN 44 STATES AND IS FILLED BY VOTERS AZ, ME, NH, NJ, OR, WY THE OFFICES DOES NOT EXIST. LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IS THAT DEMANDING OF A JOB. HE/SHE SUCCEEDS THE GOVERNORSHIP IF A VACANCY OCCURS, AND PRESIDES OVER THE SENATE INHALF THE STATES. SECRETARY OF STATE- OFFICE EXISTS EVERYWHERE BUT ALASKA HAWAII, AND UTAH. SERVES AS THE STATE CHIEF CLERK AND RECORD KEEPER. DEALS WITH PUBLIC DOCUMENTS, RECORDS THE OFFICIAL ACTS OF THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE, AND USUALLY ADMINISTERS THE ELECTION LAWS. SECRETARY OF STATE- Each of these are elected positions

What does the Governor do, anyway? POWERS OF THE GOVERNOR Issue executive orders Make appointments to other state offices Prepare the state budget Veto legislation and exercise item veto over particular items in bills Command the state national guard Grant pardons or reduce a criminal’s jail sentence Help establish the legislature’s agenda STATE CONSTITUTIONS SO DIVIDE THE EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY THAT THE GOVERNOR CAN BEST BE DESCRIBED AS “FIRST AMONG EQUALS” JUST LIKE OUR FEDERAL GOV’T THE STATE SENATE MUST APPROVE ALL APPOINTMENTS THE GOVERNOR MAKES. MOST STATES ALSO REQUIRE THAT THE PERSON BEING NOMINATED ALSO BE QUALIFIED TO DO THE JOB I.E. REALTOR TO WORK THE REAL ESTATE BOARD. THE LEGISLATURE MAY MAKE CHANGES TO THE BUDGETSTILL THE GOVERNORS BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS CARRY A GREAT DEAL OF WEIGHT. THE GOVERNOR MAY VETO ONE OR MORE ITEMS IN A BILL WITHOUT REJECTING THE ENTIRE MEASURE USUALLY IT IS RESTRICTED TO APPORTION BILLS. IN ORDER TO OVERRIDE THE GOVERNORS VETO THERE MUST BE 2/3 OF THE FULL MEMBERSHIP IN EACH HOUSE. LESS THAN 5 PERCENT OF ALL MEASURES PASSED BY THE LEGISLATURES ARE REJCTED BY THE GOVERNOR. MILITARY POWERS- THE NATIONAL GUARD IS THE ORGANIZED PART OF THE STATE MILITIA IN A STATE OF EMERGENCY THE NATIONAL GUARD MAYBE CALLED UP AND ORDERED INTO FEDERAL SERVICE BY THE PRESIDENT. THE GUARD IS SOMETIMES CALLED IN FOR PRISON RIOTS, FOREST FIRES, AID IN RELIEF AND EVACUATION PARDONS-A PARDON MAY BE FULL OR CONDITIONAL AND IT CAN BE GRANTED ONLY AFTER A CONVICTION POWERS OF COMMUTATION, A GOVERNOR MAY REDUCE THE SENTENCE IMPOSED BY A COURT THUS A DEATH SENTENCE MAY BE COMMUTED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT. THE PROGRAM IS GIVEN TO THE LAWMAKERS AT THE ANNUAL STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS. GOVERNORS GET THEIR “MESSAGE ACROSS BY SOMETIMES APPEALING TO THE PEOPLE OR USING OTHE RINFORMAL TACTICS.

New York’s Legislature NYS SENATE: “Upper House” 62 Legislative Districts 2-year terms 25-years-old minimum Legislative Branch New York State Senate   Senator Kemp Hannon - District 6 New York State Assembly Tom McKevitt - 17th District New York State Congressional Delegation Pete King, 3rd District NYS ASSEMBLY: “Lower House” 150 Legislative Districts 2-year terms 21-years-old minimum

Judicial Branch New York State Unified Court System Court of Appeals