1. State and Local Government and the NC Constitution
Goal 3
State and Local Government and the NC Constitution

2. The NC Constitution
First state constitution in 1776 created by constitutional convention in NC (2/3 of delegates voted for it)
Any proposed changes to the constitution are done by referendum (go to the people for a vote)
Amendments pass with 3/5 vote by the state legislators in NC General Assembly

3. Historical Background of NC Constitution
1776 – First draft
1835 – Governors are popularly elected
1862 – Secession from the union
1868 – New Constitution drafted during Reconstruction (rejoining the union)
1971 – New Constitution updating things

4. Principles of the NC Constitution
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances through 3 branches
1) General Assembly – Congress
2) Governor and Council of State
3) NC Supreme Court

5. Structure – Articles in NC Constitution
I – Declaration of Rights
II – Legislative Branch
III – Executive Branch
IV – Judicial Branch
V – Finance
VI – Suffrage and Eligibility
VII – Local Government
VIII – Corporations
IX – Education
X – Homesteads and Exemptions
XI – Punishments, Corrections
XII – Military Forces
XIII – Convention, Amendments, Revisions
XIV – Miscellaneous
Know the first 4 Articles mostly

6. State Government Legislative Branch General Assembly
- Consists of a House and Senate
- Makes laws (statutes)
Executive Branch
- Governor can veto, line-item veto, command national guard, prepares state budget, etc.
- Council of State (including Lt. Gov) elected by people
- Cabinet appointed by the Governor

7. Judicial Branch in State Government
Consists of District (misdemeanor case), Superior (felonies), Court of Appeals (appellate jurisdiction), and NC Supreme (highest in state) Courts
State v. Mann – state constitution is ultimate authority and says power of master is absolute
Leandro Case – state government is obligated to give all students a quality education

8. Controversies in State Government
Annexation – city takes over outlying areas
Money – state must have balanced budget
Education – charter schools and public schools, as well as school busing
Disaster Relief – who should provide it?
Political Corruption – includes gerrymandering and other practices

9. State Revenue and Expenditures
Taxes include: Income, Corporate, Property, Inheritance, Estate, Sales, Excise
Other revenue includes permits, licenses (driving), user and disposal (waste) fees, fines, municipal bonds, and intergovernmental revenue (comes from national government through grants-in-aid)

10. Local Government
County – commissioners (representatives), manager (head), sheriff (law head)
Special District (education for example)
Towns, Townships have town councils
Cities – pass ordinances (laws)
1) Mayor-Council (mayor and city council with aldermen)
2) Council-Manager (manager appointed by city council, mayor is ceremonial role)