State & Local Government

State Government State Governments are essential to idea of Federalism The 10 th Amendment makes possible the concept of Federalism Original Intent = Each “state” was a sovereign “country” “The United States are a wonderful place to visit.”

The 10 th Amendment ?v=duu6OBaFHG8 ?v=duu6OBaFHG8

10 th Amendment Enumerated = specifically written Implied = powers needed to carry out enumerated powers “But Mr. McCreary, how can the Feds tell the states to follow federal education or gun policies?”

“Necessary and proper clause” “general welfare clause” “commerce clause” Intent vs reality

The Constitution cannot defend itself It is only a piece of paper

100 PA Senators

203 PA House Reps

18 PA Reps in US Congress 2 US Senators

PA State Capital - Harrisburg, PA

General Assembly: Basic Information: –Legislature & Senate Elections are held every 2 years. –Half of the Senators. –All of the Representatives.

Powers of the Legislature US Constitution, 10 th Amendment: –Provides the basis for State Powers. A.K.A.: ‘The Reserved Powers’.

Powers 1. Tax

Powers 2. Define Crimes and Punishments

Powers 3. Provide Gov’t Services –(schools, etc....)

Powers 4. Make Rules about the Operation of State Gov’t.

Powers 5. Regulate Business Activities.

Powers 6. Delegate Authority to Local Gov’ts.

Powers 7.Confirm Governor's Appointments. PA Gov. Tom Wolf

Powers 8. Remove Governor and other Elected Officials. House of Representatives Impeachment Senate Conviction

Organization Bicameral legislature  2 Houses.... Every State Legislature in the US is Bicameral, except Nebraska... it is Unicameral. Each house is run by someone called a Presiding Officer. They are voted in by majority party members.

County Government:

Counties Largest unit of Local Governments. PA divided into 66 Counties.

Counties also provide 4 KEY elements of government! Counties:

(1) Provide Services Public facilities: –Hospitals, Parks, Libraries, Community Colleges, Historical Sites. Health + Safety Services: –Health inspections, tracking local diseases.

(1) Provide Services Assistance –Elderly. Disabled, Poor/Homeless, Drug Clinics Mass Transportation Systems –SEPTA Regional Planning –Land Management Planning –Zoning Laws Administer welfare programs –Helps PA State Gov’t.

ZONING LAWS

Zoning Laws (def.) Laws issued by local governments to regulate the size, type, structure, and use of land or building in designated areas. –Residential Homes –Commercial Establishments –Industrial Plants

(2) Administering Justice Although courts are maintained by the State Court System, Counties maintain the day-to-day administration and funding of the Courts and County Jails. –Only judges are paid by the State. –All other court employees are paid by the COUNTY.

(3) Administer Elections 1) Register Voters. 5) Publicize Elections. 2) Set up Election locations. 6) Provide staffing to run the elections. 3) Process Candidate Applications. 7) Count the Votes. 4) Maintain voting machines and equipment. 8) Declare winners, and maintain voting records.

(4) Keeping Vital Records Birth Certificates. Marriage Certificates. Property Ownership. Appraisals. –Property Value ~ tax purposes Death Certificates.

County Seat Each county has a city designated as its ‘Seat’. Kind of like the capital of the county. –Usually, the most populous part of each county. –Guess what the county seat of Montgomery County is.... NORRISTOWN

Townships

NPSD = 7 municipalities

Lansdale Borough

Hatfield Borough

North Wales Borough

Towamencin Township

Hatfield Township

Montgomery Township

Upper Gwynedd Township

Township Government Township is one of three (1/3) forms of MUNICIPALITY in Pennsylvania. ONLY three LEGAL forms of municipality exist in PA – Cities, Boroughs, and Townships. Municipality: (def.) a political unit.

Historical Background King Charles II… – “[I grant Penn the power to divide] the County and Islands into Townes, Hundreds and Counties, and to erect and incorporate Townes into Boroughs and Boroughs into Cities.”

Traditionally… Townships referred to as unfortified towns. As opposed to Boroughs: fortified towns. Governments (Municipalities) were put in place to maintain roads.

Townes = Unfortified [ townships ] Boroughs = Fortified

Township Government – (2) Forms First Class Townships. Second Class Townships.

First Class Townships Governed by a Board of Commissioners –Taxed at higher rate. –Provide more services

Second Class Townships Governed by a Board of Supervisors.

Real Estate Tax Main source of revenue for township governments.

Wrap-up: Towamencin has a Board of Supervisors: »Second Class Hatfield has a Board of Commissioners: »First Class Montgomery has a Board of Supervisors: »Second Class Upper Gwynedd has a Board of Commissioners: »First Class

School Districts

Constitutional Mandate Article III, section 14: –“The General Assembly shall provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of public education to serve the needs of the Commonwealth.”

School Districts (def.) districts are units of local government created by the state of Pennsylvania in order to provide education services to the children of each community.

Consolidation There are currently 501 school districts in Pennsylvania. There used to be over 2600 school systems statewide before. CONSOLIDATION – –(def.) the process of combining school systems into larger school districts to make them more economical and more efficient.

What is a School Board? (def.) A school board is a legislative body of citizens called school directors, who are elected locally by their fellow citizens and who serve as agents of the state legislature.

State Law School Directors cannot be paid. It is a voluntary position.

Board Organization President Vice President Treasurer Secretary Lawyer ~ not required by law. –This practice is universal, because competent advice on school law is imperative if the board is to operate effectively.

Elections + Term of Office Each board consists of nine members who serve four-year terms of office.

Legal Requirements: …to be eligible to serve on a school board (1) at least 18 years of age.

Legal Requirements: (2) be a citizen of Pennsylvania.

Legal Requirements: (3) have resided for at least one year in the school district you’re seeking to serve.

Legal Requirements: (4) have good moral character.

Legal Requirements: (5) you cannot be a teacher within that same school district that you’re seeking to serve (but you can be a teacher in any other school district).

School Board Responsibility (1) Planning Required to engage in long-range planning. Appropriate reports of the results of such planning must be filed with the Department of Education. Deal with enrollment projections, staffing needs, building usage, budget requirements.

School Board Responsibility (2) Setting policy The central responsibility is to be the policy- forming body. Policies governing the operation of schools are to be formed in response to local needs and desires. “Policy” means actions that set written goals and objectives for the school.

School Board Responsibility (3) Evaluating results Evaluation leads inevitably to more planning. Evaluation occurs all the time, both formally and informally. –Formally - Review the previous year and plan short-term goals and long-term objectives. –Informally - Receive information at meetings and in writing to keep up-to-date on opinions

Superintendent = Senior Administrator of the district

Superintendent Supervises the day-to-day operations of individual districts.