1. State and Local Governments
SSCG17: Student will demonstrate knowledge of the organization and powers of state and local government described in the Georgia Constitution.

2. State constitution
Georgia’s government is set up through a constitution or a written plan of government
The US has a Constitution and what is not covered in that constitution is covered by Georgia’s constitution
Georgia’s constitution is set up with a preamble or beginning.
After that, it has several articles
The articles address voting, establishing the three branches of government, deal with taxes, education, and outlines the functions of local governments

3. Georgia’s branches of government
Legislative Branch
Georgia General Assembly
Executive Branch
Georgia’s governor
Judicial Branch
Georgia’s Supreme Court and other state courts

4. Georgia’s Branches of Government
Georgia’s three branches are the legislative branch, which makes the laws, the executive branch, which enforces the laws, and the judicial branch, which interprets the law.
These branches have separation of powers, which means that they each have a list of responsibilities that they need to preform.
They also have checks and balances, meaning that each branch has limit, or a check, on the other one that keeps one branch from taking over the other two.
This ensures that each branch is equal!

5. Rights and Responsibilities
Georgia’s citizens are given many rights and responsibilities. Some of these rights given to Georgians are basic American rights – The right to bear arms, the right to freedom of speech, the right to life, liberty and property.
In Georgia, you have these rights – but you also have responsibilities.
You cannot violate (or break) the law without punishment
You are expected (though not required) to vote
You need to pay taxes
You might be required to serve in the military

6. Georgia’s political parties
Georgia’s two political parties are:
Republican
Democratic
Today, Georgia’s political ideologies are majority Republican
Historically, Georgia’s political ideologies have been majority Democratic from after the Civil War up until the s.

7. Georgia Voting Requirements
To vote in Georgia, you need to be 18 years old
You have to vote in the same county you live in
Convicted felons are not allowed to vote in the state of Georgia

8. Georgia’s Legislative Branch

9. Georgia’s Legislature Qualifications

10. Organization of the House
The house leader is the Speaker of the House
This person comes from the majority party (the political party with the most representatives)
The speaker assigns members of the House to committees
Committees are groups that research issues to determine if laws need to be written
Usually most House members are on three committees

11. Organization of the Senate
The leader of the Senate is the Lt. Governor, who serves as the president of the Senate
Because the Lt. Governor is elected, he/she may not be of the majority party
Assigns members of the Senate to committees to research bills
The president pro tempore is the majority leader of the Senate

12. How does a bill become a law?

13. Georgia’s Legislative Process
The Senate and the House of Representatives are both responsible for creating bills. These bills are researched in committees that senator and house members have been assigned to. Sometimes, the bills die before they reach the Senate/House floor. If the bill “lives” for the vote, however, it is voted on in the chamber that has been researching it. Sometimes changes are made to the bills on the floor Then, the bill moves to the other chamber, where the process begins again The Senate and House have to both agree on the same version of a bill before it is sent to the governor

14. Georgia’s Legislative Process
Initiative- a method where citizens propose a constitutional amendment or new law.
GA example:
Referendum- a special election.
When voters rather than the legislature vote on an issue
GA example: SPLOST, Alcohol sales
Recall- voters can remove an elected official from office through a direct vote
The state of Georgia does not allow statewide initiatives or referendums.

15. Georgia’s executive Branch
The executive branch of Georgia’s government consist of the governor and lieutenant governor
The executive branch also consist of state agencies
The executive branch enforces the law in the state through state agencies
These agencies make sure that Georgia’s constitution is followed
Example: Georgia State Patrol is under the executive branch and makes people follow the law
Governor: Nathan Deal
Lt. Governor: Casey Cagle

16. Georgia’s Executive Branch Qualifications

17. Georgia’s State Agencies
The governor is the head of many state agencies. Sometimes, he appoints the heads to these agencies, other times these people are elected. Some of these major areas are:
Education – The governor oversees education in the state of GA and funding for public schools.
Human Resources – This consist of the Department of Labor and also deals with the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance. The human resource department handles state employee payments/benefits.
Public Safety – The governor is the head of the Georgia State Patrol, and organization that ensures public safety.

18. Georgia’s state Agencies
Transportation – The governor can oversee highway/railroad development projects, and is in charge of the Georgia Department of Transportation
Economic Development – The governor works to bring in new business to Georgia. He/she meets with business leaders and promotes industries (such as the film industry) in our state
Natural Resources - Through Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources, the governor ensures that the state’s wildlife, forests, and state parks are protected

19. Governor appointments
The governor appoints some of the heads of these agencies, other heads are elected.
Since these agencies fall within the executive branch, it makes this branch the largest in our state and give Georgia’s governor a wide range of power!

20. Judicial Branch

21. Georgia’s court System
Georgia’s court system has two different types of court:
Trial Courts deal with trials – where the law is examined according to the actions of a person. Some trial courts have juries. Trial courts are state court, superior court, probate court, magistrate court, and juvenile courts.
Appellate courts deal with appeals – appeals are cases that are looked over to determine if they followed the law correctly (if they are constitutional). There are only two appellate courts in Georgia – the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals.
Judges in Georgia are chosen in different ways. Most of them are elected (in non-partisan elections – meaning they do not run as a Republican or Democrat), although other judges choose juvenile court judges

22. Georgia’s Justice System
In the adult justice system, all adults are given the right to a fair trial under the law and due process of law
The crime you commit (felony or misdemeanor can depend on the court you are sent to and sentenced in
Felony: law provides for imprisonment for longer than a year
Misdemeanor: punishable by a fine or incarceration in a local jail

23. Georgia’s Justice System
Superior Court is the highest court in the state of Georgia, while regular state courts deal with more minor crimes
Jurisdiction also applies. Jurisdiction in the area the law can cover
Example: the Georgia Supreme Court does not have South Carolina in its jurisdiction.
Some courts cover certain counties and districts

24. Georgia’s Current Supreme Court Justices
information/biographies/

25. Georgia’s Court System
The job of the court system in Georgia is to make sure that the laws are interpreted correctly
All court cases can be appealed, although the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals may or may not choose to listen to the appeal

26. Local government

27. City and county Government
City and county governments are very similar!
Both provide services to people within their jurisdiction (the area they cover)
Both city and county governments function differently
Counties are headed up by commissioners, and cities are governed by either a mayor, or a city council, or a city manager

28. Forms of City Governments
County –normally the largest territorial and political subdivision of the state. Began in the south where the population was more sparse than in the north. In the metropolitan areas, the county government has been growing more powerful. In most counties, a county board has both executive and legislative powers. Board officials are usually elected by voters
Township – exist in less than half the state, and their powers and duties vary from state to state.

29. Forms of City governments
Municipality – is an urban unit of government that has legal rights granted to it by the state. May be formed when people in a community ask the state legislature to permit their community to incorporate
Special District – a unit of local government that deals with specific function such as education and transportation

30. Special Purpose Government
Also known as a special-purpose district
Part of the government that is self-sufficient and preforms a certain, special purpose
Example: MARTA is an Atlanta special-purpose district. School systems are special purpose districtics too!

31. State and Local Governments
Local governments ALWAYS have to work with the state to make sure laws are enforced.
Example:
School systems have to work with the state to make sure they meet state guidelines
Police departments have to make sure that state laws are followed/updated
The local government follows state/national rules at all times

32. State Government Gaining Revenue
State constitutions limit state taxing powers, as does the U.S. Constitution
Most state government have some type of sales tax, which accounts for half of the local tax revenue of state governments
Most states also have individual income taxes and corporate income taxes, which account for more than 30% of all state tax revenue
States today raise large amounts of revenue from state lotteries. Remember they make money off of the purchase of the ticket and the sales tax that must be paid!

33. Local Government Gaining Revenue
Local governments finance services by levying taxes
Example: Property tax
Revenue sources for local governments include local income tax, sales taxes, fines and fee, government-owned business, bonds and state grants

34. Four Types of Municipal governments
Council-Manager – City council oversees the general administration, makes policy, sets budget. Appoints a professional city manager to carry out day-to-day administrative operations. Often the mayor is chosen form among the council on a rotating basis.
Mayor-Council – Mayor is elected separately from the council, is often full-time and paid, with significant administrative and budgetary authority. Depending on the municipal charter, the mayor could have weak or strong power. Council is elected and maintains legislative powers. Some cities appoint a professional manager who maintains limited administrative authority.

35. Four types of municipal governments
Commission – voters elect individual commissioners to a small governing board. Each commissioner is responsible for one specific aspect, such as fire, police, public works, health, finance, etc. One commissioner is designated as chairman or mayor, who resides over meetings. The commission has both legislative and executive functions.
Town Meeting – all voters meet to decide basic policy and elect officials to carry out those policies.

36. Powers of the State Government
Set the standards for educational achievement.
Set the standards for marriage laws.
Licenses doctors and dentist, regulates the sale of medicines, and requires vaccinations for school admission.
State agencies proved programs for public welfare, health and human services.
With federal assistance, states help people with special needs.
With Medicaid assistance, states help low-income people pay medical bills.

37. Powers of the Local Government
Local school districts provide money and make most of the decisions regarding the operation of public schools.
Local governments use zoning to regulate the way land and buildings are used.
Police and fire protection are paid by the local budget.
Make vital decisions regarding road maintenance, water service, and sewage disposal and treatment.
Offer important services to citizens who have special needs and provide recreation and cultural programs for their residents.

38. Henry county Population: 221,768 (July 2016)
Land Area: Square Miles
County Seat: McDonough
Governed by: Board of Commissioners
Mayor: Billy Copland
Fun Facts: Geranium City, named after Patrick Henry who is famous for saying, “Give me liberty, or give me death,” during the Revolutionary War

39. Locust Grove Population: 5,790 (2015) Land Area: 2.2 Square Miles
Mayor: Robert Price
Fun Facts: Named from a beautiful grove of locust trees that could be seen throughout the town. Served as a major rail distribution center for cotton, peaches, and other farm products.

40. Georgia Capital: Atlanta State Bird: Brown Thrasher
State Flower: Cherokee Rose
Colony: 13th British Colony and 4th state to join the Union
Nickname: Peach state
Population: 10,310,371 (July 2016)