1. North Carolina Government
Roots of Government
NC State Government
Local Government and Finances

2. Roots of NC Government First in Freedom
1663 King Charles II grants allies territory south of Virginia
Officially became 2 territories in 1729

3. Roots of NC Government Independence
NC held congress in Wilmington to elect representatives to attend the Continental Congress
The Mecklenburg Declaration
Declared NC government was only lawful government in colony
The Halifax Resolves
1st Colonial government to call for total independence from GB
Constitutional Convention meets to create US Constitution  Creates a Federal System
NC fears strong federal government  call for Bill of Rights

5. Roots of NC Government Constitution of NC
Preamble - similar to US Constitution
Declaration of Rights - civil liberties and basic rights
Basic Principles:
Popular Sovereignty - Ultimate power lies with people
Separation of Powers - Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches
Checks and Balances

6. Roots of NC Government Changes to the Constitution
Constitution of 1776
Met in Halifax to create state constitution
Two house legislature (General Assembly); Executive branch with governor and Council of State; Court system
Constitution of 1835
voters gain power to elect the governor and approve or reject constitutional amendments; voting rights taken from African Americans and Native Americans
Constitution of 1868
New constitution must be written after Civil War
Abolished slavery & males over 21 could vote
Constitution of 1971
lowered voting age from 21 to 18; governor serves 2 four year terms; governor can veto legislation

7. NC State Government The Legislative Branch The General Assembly
Makes 2 kinds of laws
General statutes that apply statewide
Enact local/special laws to specific counties or cities
General Assembly examines government operations  oversight
allows legislatures to learn how well current laws are working
General Assembly elects members to sit on University of NC Board of Governors

8. NC State Government Organization of General Assembly
Bi-cameral  NC Senate (50 members) and NC House of Representatives (120 members)
Members are elected from districts, whose lines are redrawn after every census
Senate and house members are elected for 2 years, with no limit on terms
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 & Lieutenant Governor are leaders of the House and Senate; Senate also elects president pro-tempore

9. NC House Districts

10. NC Senate Districts

12. North Carolina State Government
The Executive Branch
The Governor is NC’s Chief of State & Chief Executive
Governors roles:
leader of state agencies
administers state budget
grants pardons to criminals or commutes (reduces) sentences
Governor serves for 4 years, 2 consecutive term limit, can serve more than 2 nonconsecutive terms
30 years old
US citizen for at least 5 years
Must live in NC for 2 years
Lieutenant Governor is like VP  President of Senate
Governor and Lt. Governor run for office on separate tickets

13. NC State Government Executive Officers
Governor appoints 10 department chairs to head various administrations  cabinet
Some officers are appointed by Governor, other officers are elected by voters  Council of State ( Attorney General)
Council of State operates independently of governor

16. Local Government and Finances
Municipal Government
Two basic types of local government:
Counties: largest territorial and political subdivision
100 Counties  governing body is board of commissioners
Voters elect county commissioner
Commissioners set public policy, hire administrators (ex. social services)
County hires a professional to run day to day operations  county manager
Manager hires/fires for various departments & drafts budget

17. Local Government and Finances
Municipality: cities, towns, villages
Every county/municipality has a legislative and executive branch, sometimes judicial
Local gov’t does not decide cases involving ordinances, state courts do that.
Municipalities provide services to meet needs of its citizens
Each has been incorporated (officially given a charter)  basic rules for government
Cities can expand by annexation  bringing unincorporated land into an existing municipality
All municipalities elect their own governing board  city/town council
Most towns use “at-large” elections (all voters can vote), but some vote by district (ward)
Citizens elect a major, but city council hires a “professional” to run the city  council-manager form of government