1. NC Government Terms, Organization, and Constitution

2. NC Government Vocabulary
Federal System- government that divides powers between the national government and the states
Popular Sovereignty- People are the ultimate source of any power given to the government
Suffrage- the right to vote
Civil Rights- protections granted in the Constitution; recognize all citizens must be treated equally
Statute- General laws that apply statewide

3. NC Government Vocabulary continued…
Commute- to reduce a criminal’s sentence
County Seat- center of county government
Ordinance- local laws
Incorporated- the state has declared that a specific geographic area is a municipality (city, town, or village) and has been given a charter

4. Roots of NC Government
King Charles II grants territory south of VA, 1663; separates into North and South in 1729
NC insists of representative gov’t; the General Assembly passes laws & levies taxes
NC legislature bicameral- governor & council is the upper house; elected reps is the lower house

5. Roots of NC Government continued…
NC Seeks Independence
French and Indian War had created huge debt for Great Britain- levy taxes on colonists to pay war debts
NC held congress in Wilmington to elect reps to attend the Continental Congress

6. Roots of NC Government continued…
The Mecklenburg Declaration
All Great Britain's offices vacant; the NC government was only lawful government in the colony
The Halifax Resolves
First Colonial gov’t to call for total independence from Great Britain

7. Roots of NC Government continued…
Constitution of 1776
Two house legislature called General Assembly; Executive branch with governor and Council of State; NC Court system
In 1835 voters gain power to elect the governor and approve or reject constitutional amendments
Constitution of 1868
New constitution must be written after Civil War; Abolish slavery, males over 21 could vote
Constitution of 1971
lower voting age from 21 to 18; governor serves 2 four year terms; governor can veto legislation

8. NC State Government The Legislative Branch- The General Assembly
Makes laws or General statutes that apply statewide; Enact local laws to specific areas
General Assembly elects members to sit on University of NC Board of Governors

9. NC State Government continued…
Organization of General Assembly
Bi-cameral- senate (50 members) and house of reps (120 members)
Senate and house members are elected for 2 years, with no term limits
Member of General Assembly rules
House21 years old, Live in the district for a year before election
Senate 25 years old, live in district for a year before election
Speaker of the House leads house
Lieutenant Governor leads senate

10. NC State Government continued…
The Executive Branch
The Governor is NC’s chief of state and chief executive
Governors roles include-
leader of state agencies
administers state budget
grants pardons to criminals or commutes (reduces) sentences
Gov. serves for 4 years, 2 consecutive term limit
30 years old
US citizens for at least 5 years
live in NC for 2 years
Lieutenant Governor is like VP- president of senate

11. NC State Government continued…
Executive Officers
Governor appoints 10 department chairs to head various administrations- called cabinet
Some appointed by Governor, other officers are elected by voters- Council of State
Council of State operates independently of governor

12. NC State Government continued…
Magistrates

13. NC State Government continued…
Magistrates – a civil officer or lay judge who administers the law
2 year term
have original jurisdiction in certain misdemeanor cases usually when there is an admission of guilt
can issue warrants; set bail
NC District Courts– There is at least one district court located in each of the 100 counties
judges elected for 4 year terms
Original jurisdiction in all misdemeanor cases
NO JURY

14. NC State Government continued…
NC Superior Court- Major cases
Judges elected for 8 years
Original jurisdiction; takes appeals from District Court
felony criminal cases
Trial by 12 member jury
The NC Court of Appeals- 15 judges hear appeals
Judges elected for 8 year term
decides on cases appealed from District and Superior Courts

15. NC State Government continued…
The NC Supreme Court– 7 Justices (1 Chief and 6 Associates)
Judges elected for 8 year terms
decides civil and criminal cases appealed from lower courts
no witnesses or juries

16. Local Government and Finances
Municipality- cities, towns, villages
Municipalities provide services to meet needs of its citizens
Each has been incorporated- officially given a charter basic rules for gov’t
Cities can expand by annexation- bringing unincorporated land into an existing municipality (Midway, Davidson County)
All municipalities elect their own governing board- city/town council
Citizens elect a mayor, but city council hires a “professional” to run the city- council-manager form of gov’t

17. Local Government and Finances continued…
Government Finances
Two parts to budget- revenues and expenditures
Fiscal budget year begins July 1 for state as well as for local gov’t
Budgeting begins in governor’s office- must present a balanced budget
General Assembly studies and revises budget proposed by governor
Most money for state gov’t from state taxes

18. Local Government and Finances continued…
Municipal and County Budgets
Most expenditures from cities go to utilities water, sewage, and schools
Revenue comes from utility user fees and property taxes