1. Organization of Local Government

2. The Concept of Federalism
State Government
Executive:
Governor, Lt. Governor, Executive Departments
Legislative:
State Legislature ( 49=Bicameral):
State Senate
State House
NEBRASKA: UNICAMERAL (1934)
Judicial:
Lower Courts: Hears minor trials
General Trial Court: Major Cases
Appellate Court: reviews cases
State Supreme Court: reviews cases.
Federal Government
Executive:
President, Vice President, Executive Departments
Legislative:
Congress (Bicameral)
Senate &
House of Representatives.
Vice President is President of Senate.
Judicial:
District Court (96 in U.S)
Appeals Court (13 in US)
Supreme Court “Top Dog”

3. Local Governments
Established by and get their power from state government.
Charter: a basic plan for local governments that defines its powers, responsibilities & organization.
Municipalities: local government units that are incorporated by the state and have a large degree of self-government.
Local government includes:
City government (ex: Lincoln)
County government (ex: Lancaster)

4. City Government
City government receive charters from state legislatures.
Home rule: Cities can write and amend its own municipal charter.
Main purpose of local government is to provide services for citizens.
Services provided:
Roads & Sidewalks
Water & Sewage
Trash collection/Landfill
Snow removal
Public Transportation (Star Tran)

5. City Government Executive: Legislative: Mayor-Council Commission Plan
Weak Mayor
Strong Mayor
Commission Plan
Council-Manager
Legislative:
City Council
City governments can create ordinances.
“Ordinances”:laws that only apply to the community
Must not conflict with state/federal laws.

6. County Government
County government is the largest unit of local government.
Chief Official: Sheriff
Purpose of county governments:
Help state government:
collect various state taxes,
supervise elections
enforce state laws.
Serve county residents:
providing health & welfare services,
law enforcement,
libraries, roads & schools.
Serve as boundaries for court districts in many states.

7. Cooperation between state & local governments
supervise the election process.
citizens with places to go and vote.
enforces state laws concerning weights/measures.
makes sure that state laws are being enforced.

8. Why should governments work together?
Cooperation makes it easier to get things done!
It’s more cost effective!
Road
Education
Law Enforcement
Business