federalism part 1 state governments & pa’s state government
Post on 18-Dec-2015
229 Views
Preview:
TRANSCRIPT
Federalism
Part 1 State Governments &PA’s State Government
Unitary Government Systems
Strong national government with no (or weak) local governments
Examples – France, Great Britain, Italy, Sweden.
Federalist Government System
Division of power between a nat’l and regional (state) gov’ts, with both levels retaining significant powers.
Examples – US, Canada, Australia, India, Germany, Switzerland
Effects of Federalism
* Decentralizes power (separation of power)
* Citizens living in different parts of the country will be treated differently (different state rules)
* More opportunities for people to participate in gov’t (multiple levels)
* Tension exists between national, state and local levels about roles in serving the citizens.
Thousands gather inside Madison Wisconsin's Capitol rotunda to protest Governor Walker's
proposed bill.
State Governments
- Power of states are called “reserved powers” or “police powers”. (10th amendment)
- States generally have control over:
elections
police
education
highways/driving laws
healthcare
licenses (professional, hunting, fishing, driver’s, etc)
- local governments exist at the pleasure of the states and states have control over local gov’ts- Ex- Norristown’s take over by state after corruption
charges
State Governments
All states have a governor, state legislature, separate state court systems, and state constitutions.
State governments primarily get money from
State income tax (in PA around 3%)
Sales tax (in PA 6%)
Federal grants ( increased due to amendment 16)
Various other taxes on businesses, estates, and consumers (gas, cigarettes, tolls, etc)
State Constitutions
Explain how state government will work and protect rights of citizens in that state.
May allow: Initiatives – citizens propose laws that get voted on by the public
ex- Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act
Referendums – legislatures put questions to the public for approval- often involve spending
ex- Open Space Initiative, improving infrastructure such as roads bridges, sewers
Recalls – people vote to remove someone from office earlier than their term ends; different than impeachment
ex- Cal. Gov recalled; replaced with Arnold Swarz.
PA only has referendums
Recent State Ballot Measures from 2010Legalization of Marijuana (CA) , or medical marijuana (AZ, and
SD)
Change state law so a fetus is entitled to legal rights. (CO)
Add “right to hunt and fish” into state constitutions. (AZ, AR, SC, TN)
Term limit questions for state employees (NM, OK)
PA State Government - Executive
Governor
Current – Tom Corbett (R)
Began first term in Jan. 2011
Former PA Attorney General
Cabinet
Selected by Gov. to head state’s departments
Example – Sec. of Education, Sec. of State
PA State capital is _________.
http://www.governor.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/cabinet_officials/2995
Governor Tom Corbett
shrink state government eliminate the state liquor monopoly (private companies will sell
alcohol- not state stores) reduce business taxes institute school vouchers for public schools pass lawsuit reform (medical) restructure public welfare reform the state legislature less money to local governments and school districts but also lessen
mandates they have to follow
Governor Elect Tom Wolf
Marriage Equality Anti-Discrimination Law Progressive Income Tax Minimum Wage Increase Expanding Sick Leave Protecting Voting Rights Increase Women & Minority owned Businesses Strengthening the States Equal Pay law
PA Legislature –General Assembly House of Representatives
203 members from 203 districts
2 year terms
Current majority party is Rep
Local PA House members Daylin Leach (D)
Mike Vereb (R)
Senate 50 senators elected from 50 districts
throughout the state
4 year terms
Current majority party is Republican
Local State Senator John Rafferty (R)
What do PA State House Members and Senator get? 2nd largest full-time, 2nd most expensive state legislature in the
country.- PA spends about 312 million on its legislature. ($25 per person) California’s is most expensive New York’s is largest (including support staff) Only 9 states have full-time legislatures
Salaries- average around $78,000 Benefits:
Health insurance benefits (doctor and prescript.) around $17,000/yr Lawmakers only pay %1 of cost out of salaries (compared to 10-30% in
general public)
Office expense - $20,000- $25,000/yr Full-time staff (average is about 9 people)
Other part-time legislatures may only have one staff member per elected official
Car $7,800/yr Per diem costs of $143/day Pensions
top related