1. Ohio State Government Unit 4, Lesson 2

2. Ohio’s Constitution Elected officials in Ohio promise to support the state’s constitution Ohio has 2 constitutions – First approved in 1803 – Second approved in 1851 Today, Ohio’s state government runs according to the 1851 constitution

3. Ohio’s Constitution OH Constitution has been amended over the years – Some amendments protect the hours, pay, and working conditions of Ohio’s workers – Others guarantee civil rights to citizens of the state

4. Ohio’s Constitution Ohio’s 1851 constitution required that every 20 years voters must be asked if they want to change their state constitution. Meetings to make changes in the constitution were held in 1873 and 1912. In 2011, Ohio’s will be asked again.

5. Ohio’s Bill of Rights First article of the OH Constitution Lists the rights and freedoms promised to Ohio citizens – Guarantees the freedoms of religion and speech, freedom of assembly (gather in groups), trial by jury Jury  group of citizens who hear and decide a case in court

6. State Government OH Constitution divides the state government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches Leaders of state government meet in Columbus

7. Ohio’s Legislative Branch Ohio’s legislative branch is called the General Assembly Makes state laws Two parts – senate and house of representatives – Ohio Senate = 33 senators – Ohio House = 99 members Members of each house can present bills, or plans for new laws – Each house works on bill by itself – Bills that are passed by one house are sent to the other for approval

8. A Look at State Government

9. Lincoln Address General Assembly 1861

10. Ohio Statehouse 1900s

11. Ohio’s State Capitol Building in Columbus, OH

12. Ohio’s Executive Branch Sees that state laws are carried out Governor is leader of executive branch Ohio’s voters elect the governor to serve a four-year term – Creates a yearly budget (written plan for how to spend state’s money) Budget sent to General Assembly for approval – Reviews bills suggested by G.A. Approved  becomes a law Veto (reject) bill – Legislature can still pass a vetoed bill if 3/5 of G.A. vote to make it a law – Runs many state departments and agencies

13. Ohio’s Governor, John Kasich

14. Governor’s Office 1800s

15. Ohio’s Judicial Branch Decides if laws agree with the state constitution Made up of all the state courts All justices in the state are elected

16. Ohio’s Judicial Branch Ohio Supreme Court is the state’s highest court – 1 chief justice – 6 elected justices who serve six-year terms 1922 = Florence Ellinwood Allen first woman elected to OH Supreme Court

17. Ohio’s Judicial Branch Ohio has a system of lower courts – District court of appeals – County and city courts – Courts of common pleas – Mayors’ courts

18. Ohio Supreme Court

19. Ohio’s Government and Economy OH state government words to bring businesses to the state Collects taxes from citizens to provide services

20. Encouraging Businesses Department of Development encourages people in OH to start new businesses – Helps businesses from other states and countries move to the state – These efforts bring jobs to OH Department provides info about the state’s people, resources, and laws – Helps businesses train new workers – Can also show businesses how to use energy sources wisely

21. Taxes and Services OH collects taxes from citizens OH General Assembly decides how to spend the taxes State taxes pay for costs of running the state gov. – Pay for building and repairing state roads, highways, and ports – Keeping state parks safe and clean

22. Taxes and Services State tax money is also spent on public schools and state universities – Almost 4,000 public elementary, middle, and high schools – Around 1,845,000 students attend these schools – More than 60 public universities and colleges The Ohio State University in Columbus is the 3 rd largest university in the USA

23. The Ohio State University

24. Taxes and Services Many officials and offices in OH work together to collect and spend state money State treasurer and state auditor – Treasurer manages the state’s money Jennette B. Bradley was the first African American woman elected to this office in the USA – Auditor makes sure that state money is spent correctly Betty Montgomery was the first woman to hold this office in OH

25. Ohio State Seal Used on all official state papers Features the Scioto River flowing across its center – Separates a farm’s field from Mount Logan 13 rays of sun shine over the mountain – Represent the 13 original American states At the front a bundle of 17 arrows stands for OH as the 17 th state to join the union

26. Ohio State Seal