1. State and Local Government
Federalism in Action

2. Federalism – Why share power?
National government shares power with the states.
This gives Americans freedom to provide for their own needs.
The main reason to do this? Sectional differences.
Types of powers – Do you remember??
Enumerated
Reserved
Concurrent

3. Federal Aid to the States
Spending is roughly related to population of the state (from census numbers)
Additional demographic questions to find out where children are located (education), minorities (grants for minorities), and population density (highways)

4. Types of Aid
Categorical Grants – funds for some specific closely defined purpose.
Money for school lunches
Usually have strings attached
Block Grants – funds for much more broadly defined purposes
Fewer strings attached, more freedom for state/local to decide how to spend money
Project Grants – funds for specific organizations or governmental bodies
For research, job training programs, etc.

5. Fiscal Federalism
Most interactions between national and state government involve monetary considerations
Fiscal Federalism
Carrot and Stick Approach – using rewards and punishment. Carrot - the federal $ needed by the state. Stick – regulation & compliance w/federal mandates to receive the money – minimum wage, speed limits, handicap accessibility
Unfunded Mandates – Federal govt. requires a state agency to perform functions but they don’t have the funds.
Coercive Federalism – Federal govt. tells the state what they have to do in order to receive funds.
South Dakota v. Dole – state drinking ages must conform to federal policy.

6. Understanding Federalism
Advantages for Democracy
Increases access to government
Local problems can be solved locally
Hard for political parties or interest groups to dominate all politics
Disadvantages for Democracy
States have different levels of service
Local interest can counteract national interests
Too many levels of government and too much money

7. New Federalism
Recently shift of some programs/authority for decision-making on the implementation of the programs back to the state and local governments.
Started with President Nixon and continued with President Reagan

8. Summary of Federalism
Federalism is a governmental system in which power is shared between central government and the 50 state governments.
The US has moved from dual (clearly defined terms) to cooperative federalism (states and federal gov’ts collaborate on policy); fiscal federalism to new federalism.
Federalism leads to both advantages and disadvantages to democracy.
Most interactions today have a monetary component.
There are still struggles and conflicts over power sharing in this relationship.

9. Vocabulary chapters 12-14
Statute
Civil Case
Defendant
County
County seat
Incorporate
At-large election
Special districts
Annexation
Municipality

10. North Carolina History “First in Freedom”
First Provincial Congress (Aug 1974) – Elected people to the Continental Congress
Mecklenburg Declaration (May 1975) – Citizens of Mecklenburg County stated that the only lawful gov’t was the provincial gov’t – not the British
Halifax Resolves (April 12, 1776) – NC was the first state to call for complete independence from Britain.
Sent 3 delegates to the 2nd Continental Congress
Did not ratify Constitution until 1789 when Bill of Right added

11. Three Constitutions in NC’s history
Very small number compared to other states
1st – Constitution of Very similar to the US Constitution
1835 Changes - Voters now allowed to elect governor, approve or reject constitutional amendments. Took away rights of free men of African and Indian decent
2nd – Constitution of All Confederate states had to create new Constitution after Civil War Slavery abolished, all men over 21 could vote
3rd – Constitution of All elections free, freedom of speech, equal protection of laws

12. Suffrage in North Carolina
After Civil War, next 2 decades African Americans got to vote. Hiram Revels – 1st African American to vote
By 1900, General Assembly (State legislative branch) set up discrimination tests to keep minorities (Blacks and Indians) from voting
Women fought for suffrage (voting) in NC, but do no succeed until the 19th amendment in 1920
Voting Requirements:
Citizen
18 years old by the next General Election
Registered to vote
Lived in voting precinct for 30 days
Not serving felony sentence

13. State Governments Each state has its own constitution.
All states have three branches of government.
Voters ratify amendments in all states except for Delaware.
All states have bicameral legislatures except for Nebraska.
Each state must accept the validity of all other state laws and contracts (Full faith and Credit).
Extradition: Governor orders a suspect to be returned to the state where the crime was committed.

14. Legislative Branch
The Legislative Branch of North Carolina’s state government is called the General Assembly
Makes two types of laws:
Statutes – apply to everyone in the state
Local or Specific laws – just to certain areas in the state
Major power deals with finances. How much to spend and how much to tax?
Legislative Oversight – review of government operations

15. The NC General Assembly
SENATE
50 Members
Presiding Officer: Lieutenant Governor - Dan Forest (R)
Elected Chamber Leader: President Pro Tempore - Sarah Stevens (R)
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
120 Members
Presiding Officer: Speaker of the House -
Tim Moore (R)
Elected Chamber Leader: Speaker of the House

16. Legislative Branch
State is divided into districts - Reynolds vs. Sims (1964): All election districts must be equal in population. “Each person one vote”.
Apportionment – Distribution of seats according to population
Legislators must be US citizens, live in the district, and meet an age requirement Fairly low pay.
Legislative process is the same as the national level.

17. Executive Branch Led by a governor.
In most states a person must be 30 years old, US citizen, and a resident of the state for five years.
Serve a four year term, 2 consecutive – can come back for another 2 terms after 4 years
Recall: An election where voters can remove state officials.
Lieutenant Governor: Takes over for the governor and is head of the state senate.
Roy Cooper Governor- Dem
Dan Forest - ( (R) Lieutenant Gov

18. Powers of the Governor
Chief Executive, Chief Legislator, Judicial Leader, Commander in Chief, Party leader, Ceremonial leader.
As judicial leader a governor can:
Commute: Reduce a sentence.
Parole: Early release from prison.
Can offer pardons and reprieves.
Most executive officials are elected by voters.
There are many different departments led by a secretary.

19. Superintendent of Public Instruction Commissioner of Insurance
Governor
Roy Cooper
Lieutenant Governor
Dan Forest
Elected Officials
Comm. Of Agriculture
State Treasurer
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Secretary of State
Attorney General
Secretary of Labor
Commissioner of Insurance
State Auditor

20. Do you think the governor should have the power to pardon, or commute a sentence? Why or why not?

21. Superior Court District Court
Supreme Court
Other
Court
Officials
Court of
Appeals
Superior Court
District Court

22. Judicial Branch
Trial courts: Use juries. Judge decides punishment. Appellate courts: Panel of judges. Appellate jurisdiction State Supreme Court: Highest level. Misdemeanors – minor crimes handled by lower courts Felonies – serious rimes handled by higher courts Plea Bargain: Defendant pleads guilty for a reduced sentence.
The Superior Court is the trial court of general jurisdiction in North Carolina. It hears all felony cases and certain misdemeanor cases. In civil matters, superior courts have original jurisdiction over civil disputes with an amount in controversy exceeding $25,000.
The district court hears a range of cases, including civil claims, and criminal cases. It also has a residual jurisdiction over some matters involving compensation for work injuries; and hears cases about offences committed under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011

23. State governors are basically the president of their state and some people consider the governorship excellent preparation for the presidency. Answer the following questions in at least 3 paragraphs.
In what ways do you think being governor would prepare someone for the presidency?
In what ways do you think it wouldn’t?
Why or why not?

24. County Government
Local governments are established by state governments.
Charter: Plan that explains the power of a local government.
All counties provide services for their citizens - Provide law enforcement, set up hospitals, improve transportation, and set up public libraries
County board has legislative powers.
Ordinance: Law passed by a county board.
Collect revenue through property tax and sales tax.
Have executive power to enforce laws (Inspectors).

25. County Officials
Sheriff: Law enforcement. Keeps peace and manages the jail.
District attorney: Investigates crime and prosecutes in court.
Coroner: Establishes the cause of death.
County clerk: Keeps official records.
Assessor: Determines the value of property for tax purposes.

26. Town governments Some counties are divided into towns.
In the northeast, town gov’t is more important than county.
Town gov’t began in New England as a form of direct democracy.
Other northern states divided into smaller units called townships.
In the Midwest, townships were established during expansion by Congress. (NW Ordinance)

27. City government Must get a charter from the state government.
Home rule: Allows cities to write their own charters.
Crime, medical problems, drug abuse, and homelessness are problems.
Ward: Voting district in a city.

28. Organization of City Governments
Mayor: Executive leader. Presides over city council meetings. There are strong and weak mayor plans
City Council: Legislative branch of the city. Voter elected
City Manager: Helps makes decisions on city projects – runs the city. Appointed by the city council
There are strong and weak mayor plans .

29. Commission Government
Began in Galveston, Texas in 1901 after a natural disaster.
Separate departments led by a commissioner.
The commission has executive and legislative powers.

30. Community problems
Public Policy: Decision that effect people. They can come from lawmakers, citizens, interest groups, and the media.
Must plan for the future - involves educated guessing.
Short term: Decisions effecting the next few years.
Long term: Decisions effecting the next fifty years.
Must have priorities and evaluate resources.
Communities develop a master plan of goals.

31. Zoning Financing Taxes: Sales, property and income.
A zoning board decides what land will be used for.
Different zones for residential, business, and public land.
Provides a map for the community.
Financing
Taxes: Sales, property and income.
User fees: Fares paid for the use of services.
Bond: Borrow the money and pay it back later.

32. Education and Housing
Education is the most expensive service provided by state and local governments.
Magnet school: Students focus on a particular field of study.
Vouchers: Help parents send children to private schools.
Urban renewal: Re-building old neighborhoods.
The government provides low income housing.

33. Shortages and Pollution
Many places have shortages on power and water.
Conservation: Using less of our resources.
Disposing of garbage is a problem (landfills).
Recycling: Using old materials to produce new ones.