unit 7 state and local government with comparative politics unit objectives; 31d-evaluate direct...

Unit 7State and Local Government with

Comparative PoliticsUnit Objectives;

31D-evaluate direct democracy by the initiative and referendum process.31E- demonstrate knowledge of the organizations of the 3 branches of state and local government

31F- identify current state and local government officials.

31G- examine the powers of state and local governments, their sources of revenue, the services they provide, and the relationship between state and local governments.

31D- evaluate direct democracy by the initiative and referendum process.

Direct Democracy- when people vote to make decisions directly instead of having a representative vote for them.

A. Initiative – in 17 states voters can propose constitutional amendments through the initiative process.

In 24 states voters can use the initiative to propose ordinary statutes.

Two types of initiatives;

1. Direct Initiative – proposal goes directly to the voters in a general election.

2. Indirect Initiative – proposal goes to legislature first. If it is not approved by legislature, it can go directly to voters.

B. Referendum – process where a legislative measure is referred directly to the State’s voters for final approval or rejection.

3 Types;1. Mandatory Referendum – requires

that a measure be taken directly to the voters for FINAL approval or rejection.

In each state but Delaware, proposed constitutional amendments must be submitted to voters.

Referendums are usually mandatory when they involve borrowing money by government.Ex; Bond Referendums, Constitutional Amendments2. Optional Referendums – when the State Legislatures allow the voters to vote voluntarily. Very rare and usually involve “hot potato” issues because lawmakers do not want to take the responsibility of handling the issue. Ex; Property Tax Hikes, landfills, airports

3. Popular Referendum – when voters demand an issue be brought to them, via a petition, for a vote.

Ex; Alcohol sales, Sunday liquor sales, liquor by the drink, lottery, paramutual gambling, casinos, dog racing, horse racing, etc….

• 31E- demonstrate knowledge of the organizations of the 3 branches of state and local government

• Georgia;

• Governor – Sonny Perdue

• Lt. Governor- Casey Cagle

• Attorney General – Thurbert E. Baker

• Commissioner of Agriculture – Tommy Irvin

• Commissioner of Labor – Michael Thurmond

• Insurance Commissioner – John Oxendine

• Public Service Commissioners – Stan Wise, Bobby Baker, Chuck Eaton, Doug Everett, Angela Speir

• Secretary of State – Karen Handel

• State School Superintendent – Kathy Cox

• Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives – David Ralston

• President Pro Tempore of Georgia Senate - Eric Johnson

• Gwinnett County has a County System with a County Commission System and Cities and Townships.

• County Police, Sheriff as well as City Police Systems.

• Gwinnett County has a court system as do some cities.

• Cities within Gwinnett County;• Berkeley Lake• Buford• Dacula• Duluth• Grayson• Lawrenceville• Lilburn• Norcross• Snellville• Sugar Hill• Suwanee

• Gwinnett County has Commission System;

• Commission Chairman – Charles Bannister

• Commission Members;• District 1 – Shirley Lasseter• District 2 – Bert Nasuti• District 3 – Mike Beaudreau• District 4 – Kevin Kennerly

• Snellville City Government;

• Mayor – Jerry Oberholtzer

• Council Members;

• Post 1- Kelly Kautz

• Post 2 – Tod Warner

• Post 3 – Tom Witts

• Post 4 – Barbara Bender

• Post 5 – Mike Sabbagh

Snellville City Council

• Gwinnett County Board of

• Education;

• Louis Radloff

• District V

• Berkmar

• Meadowcreek

• Parkview

• District 1; Carol Boyce

• Central

• Dacula

• Grayson

Schools located in District I:

Alcova ES

Fort Daniel ES

J.P. McConnell MS

Benefield ES

Freeman's Mill ES

Maxwell HS of Technology

Cedar Hill ES

GIVE Center East

Mulberry ES

Central Gwinnett HS

Grayson ES

Oakland Meadow School

W.J. Cooper ES

Grayson HS

Phoenix HS

Alton C. Crews MS

Harbins ES

J.E. Richards MS

Dacula ES

Hooper Renwick

Simonton ES

Dacula HS

Kanoheda ES

Margaret Winn Holt ES

Dacula MS

Lawrenceville ES

J.G. Dyer ES

Lovin ES

Schools located in District I:

Alcova ES

Fort Daniel ES

J.P. McConnell MS

Benefield ES

Freeman's Mill ES

Maxwell HS of Technology

Cedar Hill ES

GIVE Center East

Mulberry ES

Central Gwinnett HS

Grayson ES

Oakland Meadow School

W.J. Cooper ES

Grayson HS

Phoenix HS

Alton C. Crews MS

Harbins ES

J.E. Richards MS

Dacula ES

Hooper Renwick

Simonton ES

Dacula HS

Kanoheda ES

Margaret Winn Holt ES

Dacula MS

Lawrenceville ES

J.G. Dyer ES

Lovin ES

• District II

• Dan Seckinger

• Mill Creek

• Collins Hill

• North Gwinnett

• Peachtree Ridge

• District III

• Dr. Mary K. Murphy

• Duluth

• Norcross

• District IV

• Dr. Robert McClure

• Brookwood

• South

• Shiloh