1. Chapter 8 State Government
American Civics
Chapter 8 State Government
Section 1: The States
Section 2: State Legislatures
Section 3: The State Executive Branch
Section 4: State Courts

2. Section 1: The States The Main Idea
In the United States, all 50 independent states fit together to form one country. The federal system allows state governments to serve the needs of the their citizens while cooperating as a united country.
Reading Focus
What powers do state governments have?
How do states work together with other states and with the national government in our federal system?

3. State Powers Section 1: The States Public building programs
Election oversight
Education
Police protection
Public building programs
Health and safety
Highways
Concurrent powers, like taxation, are exercised by both state and federal governments.

4. Components of a state constitution:
Section 1: The States
Components of a state constitution:
Preamble—states the ideals of the government
Bill of rights—list of rights guaranteed to citizens
Outline of government organization—duties of the government’s branches are spelled out
Provisions for elections
Provisions for managing state affairs, such as education, law and order, highways, and taxation
Methods of amending the state’s constitution and list of approved amendments

5. Cooperation of states with each other and the federal government:
Section 1: The States
Cooperation of states with each other and the federal government:
The full faith and credit clause of the U.S. Constitution ensures states will respect court decisions of other states.
Fugitives from one state are subject to extradition if found in another state.
States work together to reduce pollution and maintain mutual public interests.

6. Section 1: The States
Cooperation of states with each other and the federal government: (continued)
The U.S. Constitution guarantees a “republican government” to each state.
The federal government must help put down “domestic violence” in the states.
Governments work together to conserve resources, assist the unemployed, build highways, and offer job training.

7. Powers Reserved for the States
SECTION 1
Question: What types of powers are reserved for the states?
Powers Reserved for the States
State
concurrent
Federal

8. Section 2: State Legislatures
The Main Idea
The process of passing state laws is similar to the process used in the U.S. Congress. In some states, citizens can take a direct role in making the state's laws.
Reading Focus
How are state legislatures organized to equally represent the citizens of the their state?
How are state laws passed?
How do citizens participate in making state laws?

9. Populations in state election districts:
Section 2: State Legislatures
Populations in state election districts:
1964—Reynolds v. Sims: all state election districts must be as equal as possible
Equally populated districts ensure the principle of “one person, one vote.”

10. Section 2: State Legislatures
Many states require similar qualifications and terms of office for state legislators:
Must be U.S. citizens and residents of the district they represent
Senators must be at least 25 years of age, and representatives must be at least 21.
Two- to four-year terms
Salaries and benefits tend to be low.

11. Choosing presiding officers and carrying out legislation:
Section 2: State Legislatures
Choosing presiding officers and carrying out legislation:
Either the lieutenant governor or a selected official presides over the Senate.
Speakers are chosen in the lower houses.
Committees are appointed.
Seniority determines many of the appointments.

12. Choosing presiding officers and carrying out legislation: (continued)
Section 2: State Legislatures
Choosing presiding officers and carrying out legislation: (continued)
State bills follow a path similar to that of federal bills before they can become laws.
Some states require referendums before certain bills become laws.

13. SECTION 2 HELP WANTED L E G I S L A T O R
Question: What are the qualifications and terms of office for a state legislator?
HELP WANTED
L E G I S L A T O R
Job qualifications include:
Terms of Office:

14. Section 3: The State Executive Branch
The Main Idea
A state’s executive branch carries out laws made by the state’s legislative branch. Governors are the chief executives of state government.
Reading Focus
Who is the state’s chief executive, and what are his or her powers and duties?
Who are the other officials of state executive branches?

15. Most governors Section 3: The State Executive Branch
Must be U.S. citizens who have lived in the state for a certain number of years.
Must be at least 30 years old.
Serve four-year terms with limits of one to two terms.

16. Duties and powers of governors include
Section 3: The State Executive Branch
Duties and powers of governors include
Proposing laws and programs to the legislature; approving or vetoing bills.
Developing state budgets.
Controlling state police and militia.
Appointing officials and supervising executive branch.

17. Other officials of the state executive branch, in most states:
Section 3: The State Executive Branch
Other officials of the state executive branch, in most states:
Lieutenant governor—succeeds governor; presides over the Senate
Secretary of state—keeps state records and supervises elections
Attorney general—in charge of legal business
State treasurer—supervises all state funds

18. Section 3: The State Executive Branch
Other officials of the state executive branch, in most states: (continued)
State auditor (comptroller)—supervises the state’s financial records
Superintendent of public instruction—governs local school districts and distributes state funds

19. State Executive Agencies and Officials
Section 3: The State Executive Branch
State Executive Agencies and Officials
Help the governor carry out the laws
Have specific areas of responsibility such as agriculture, justice, labor, public safety, public works, or transportation
Officials of agencies are usually appointed by the governor.
Some jobs are filled through patronage.

20. Powers and Duties of the Governor
SECTION 3
Question: What are the powers and duties of the governor?
Powers and Duties of the Governor
1. Chief Legislator
2. Chief Executive
Political Party
Leader
4. Other Powers

21. Section 4: State Courts
The Main Idea
State court systems include lower courts, general trial courts, appeals courts, and state supreme courts.
Reading Focus
What kinds of cases do state courts handle?
How is the state court system organized?
How are state judges selected?

22. State courts handle Section 4: State Courts
Criminal cases, which deal with violations of the law that harm individuals or society.
Civil cases, which deal with disputes between individuals or business and generally involve money or property.

23. Four types of state courts and their responsibilities:
Section 4: State Courts
Four types of state courts and their responsibilities:
Lower courts—handle minor civil cases and misdemeanors; traffic cases, family-relations cases, and small claims
General trial courts—handle major criminal and civil cases

24. Four types of state courts and their responsibilities: (continued)
Section 4: State Courts
Four types of state courts and their responsibilities: (continued)
Appeals courts—handle appealed cases from the lower courts
State supreme court—handles appealed cases from the appeals court

25. Overcrowding in the courts causes problems.
Section 4: State Courts
Overcrowding in the courts causes problems.
Calendars are often a year or more behind.
People wait years for settlements.
Jails are overcrowded with accused persons awaiting trial.
Crowding thwarts constitutional guarantee of a speedy trial.

26. SECTION 4
Question: What are the responsibilities of each of the four types of state courts?
General Trial Courts:
These courts hear major civil and criminal cases. Most involve a jury with a judge presiding.
State Courts
Lower Courts:
These courts hear minor cases, including misdemeanors and civil cases involving small amounts of money. They may also handle traffic violations, family disputes, and juvenile cases.
Appeals Courts:
These courts hear cases on appeal, deciding if the lower court handled the trial properly and gave the accused the rights guaranteed under the Constitution.
State Supreme Courts:
These courts are the highest court in most states hearing cases on appeal.

27. Chapter 8 Wrap-Up
1. What is the term for the powers granted to state governments, and what are some examples?
2. How are the rules of state governments organized, and under what rule did they agree to cooperate with each other?
3. What conditions must be met in order for someone to serve as a state lawmaker?
4. How can citizens take direct action in legislation and state government?
5. Who heads the state executive branch, and what does the job require?
6. Who helps the governor run the state government?
7. What types of courts exist in most states, and what does each do?
8. How does the appeals process work?