American Government

State & Local Governments

ObjectivesExplain how federalism gives

power to the State government.Compare and contrast State

governments with the national government.

Identify the powers of the governor.

Federalism• Federalism is the separation of government powers

between State and the national government.– According to Amendment IV in the Constitution “States may

exercise all powers not given to the national government or denied to the States”.

– Marriage/Divorce, education, conduct elections, police, regulate business within their borders, organize local governments.

• The federal and State government cooperate and take care of each other. (ex. Federal government protects the States and the States run national elections)

• States also cooperate with one another. – Ex. If you have a driver’s license in one State it is recognized

in every State.

State Constitutions• The United States Constitution is the

“Supreme Law of the Land”, everything in it must be followed by the States.

• However, each State has its own Constitution.– As long as the State has a republican form of

government, they can set up their government how they see fit.

– Although most States’ systems of government resemble the National government. (3 branches, amendments, etc.)

The State Executive BranchThe Governor = the

State executiveThe governors of each

State are elected directly; no electoral college.

In Wisconsin, the governor serves for four years, unless he/she is recalled.

Like the presidency, there is also a list of people that take over if he/she cannot perform their job. (WI=lieutenant governor)

The State Executive (cont.)• Powers of the governor:

– Chief executive: executes the laws (signs or vetoes)

– Chief legislator: suggests laws to be passed.– Commander in Chief: controls the National Guard– Party Leader– Ceremonial leader: represents everyone living in

their State.– Judicial leader: grants pardons and reprieves

• Like the National government, each State also has executive departments and agencies (ex. Education, agriculture, labor, etc.)

The State Legislature• Each State is divided into legislative districts (WI=

33)– Each district elects representatives to the State

legislature.

• The legislative process is usually similar to the process at the national level.– One difference is the line item veto, which gives the

governor the power to cross out certain things that he/she does not like in the bill.

• Besides passing laws, the other main function of the legislature is to pass a biennial (two-year) budget.

The State JudiciaryThe State Judiciary is

organized the same way as the national judiciary.District Appellate

Courts State Supreme Court

The State Supreme Court only hears cases that involve its State Constitution, not the U.S. Constitution.

Local GovernmentAccording to the

Census, there are around 89,527 governments within the U.S.

Local governments get all of their power from the State in which they reside.State governments can

grant as much or as little power as they wish to city governments.

CountiesStates are further

divided into counties.Counties usually serve as

judicial districts and aid in making State government more efficient.

Counties are then divided further into towns, villages and cities.There are no size

requirements for a county.The number in States range

from 0 (Connecticut) to 254 (Texas).

County Government Structure The county is frequently run

by an elected board.Milwaukee county is run by a

board of supervisors.The county executive is the

head of the board.The current Milwaukee

county executive is Chris Abele.

County government’s most important function is to deal with the budget.

County boards make and enforce laws and administrate other government functions like roads and jail system.

Chris Abele

Forms of City GovernmentMayor-Council Government:

Both the mayor and council are elected.Can either be strong-mayor or weak-mayor governments.

Commission:Made up of usually five elected officials that individually

head the various city departments.Police, fire, finance, parks & recreation, and public works

Council-Manager:Consists of a strong elected council (usually 5-7

members), a weak mayor chosen by voters, and a manager appointed by the council to carry out laws.

Responsibilities of Local GovernmentPolice and FireBuild and maintain infrastructure (roads,

bridges, etc.)Parks and RecreationEducationLibrariesAirportsSanitationDisease preventionRegulate traffic and behavior

Who Represents You?Mayor: Tom Barrett

Democrat Elected in 2004Was re-elected in

2012 winning 70% of the vote!

Has ran for governor twice and lost both times.