1. State and Local Government
What YOU NEED to Know!

2. Legislative Branch NC General Assembly is similar to Congress
Lawmaking ability
Made up of a House of Representatives and a Senate
Representation is based upon districts

3. Executive Branch Governor is similar to the President
Job is to enforce laws
Can exercise veto power
Governor has power President does not have called Line Item Veto (Gov. can cross out/veto a part of a law but does not have to veto the entire thing)
Have an appointed cabinet to help advise them
Governor also has a group of elected department heads to advise him
Council of State
Elected by citizens in the general election

4. State and Local Laws A State Law is a Statute
Enforced by state law enforcement such as SBI or Highway Patrol
Also enforced by county sheriffs and city police
A Local Law is an Ordinance
Enforced by county sheriff and/or city police
Sheriffs are the primary law enforcement for a county
City police are the primary law enforcement for cities

5. The Sheriff
Sheriff is an elected executive branch position (enforces laws)
In charge of County Jails
In charge of Schools
Chief law enforcement officer for a county

6. Annexation
Taking county land and incorporating it into an existing city
To make city bigger (area and population)
Increase tax base for city
Citizens often oppose because it raises their taxes (they now have to pay city taxes, too)
People can move if they are too opposed

7. Incorporation Creating a brand new city
The plan for a new city is called a charter
The charter for incorporation must be approved by the General Assembly
A new city is usually created to have organization and to provide services to citizens, such as sewer lines, garbage service, and emergency services

8. Zoning Rules for land use
City Council either acts as the Zoning Board or appoints a Zoning Board
Types of Zoning
Residential: only houses
Commercial: only businesses (Stores/Restaurants)
Industrial: factories and warehouses
You do not want a factory in the middle of your neighborhood
Zoning ensures that does not happen

9. Leandro v. State of North Carolina
Counties and Schools do not receive equal funding
A group of parents and schools sued the state saying that it was not fair (students could not get an equal education with less money)
State Supreme Court ruled that a citizen is entitled to an adequate, but not equal education
Adequate education is measured by EOC scores
Students must score at least a Level III to be receiving an “adequate education”

10. State of NC v. Mann
Man beat and shot his slave (he lived) and was charged with assault and fined $5
NC State Supreme Court ruled that Mann could not be punished for beating his own “property”
NC Declaration of Rights states that “no man shall be deprived of his property”
Determined that NC Constitution is Supreme Law of NC and he could not be convicted of assaulting property