State and Local Governments

Unit 2

GPS Standard:• SSCG17 The student will demonstrate

knowledge of the organization and powers of state and local government described in the Georgia Constitution.

A. Examine the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

B. Examine the structure of local governments with emphasis on county, city, and town.

C. Identify current state and local officials.D. Analyze the relationship among state and local

governments.E. Evaluate direct democracy by the initiative,

referendum, and recall processes.

GPS Standard:

• SSCG18 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the powers of Georgia’s state and local governments.

A. Examine the powers of state and local government.

B. Examine the sources of revenue received by each level of government.

C. Analyze the services provided by state and local government.

Essential Question of the day!

• How does the relationship between state & local governments compare with the relationship between the national & state governments?

State Constitutions• What do state constitutions do?

– create state governments & explain roles of legislative, executive, & judicial branches for that state.

– Set up local governments. – Control how state & local governments can raise &

spend money.

State Constitutions

• A state’s constitution is supreme law of that state.

• Its laws cannot be enforced in other states & cannot conflict with Constitution of United States.

• All state constitutions have a bill of rights.

Amendments and Changes• State constitutions allow four different ways

of suggesting amendments.

– Suggesting of amendments by the state legislatures.

– the people propose amendments by popular initiative.

– a state constitutional convention suggests amendments.

– a constitutional commission suggests amendments.

Important terms• Initiative – a method where citizens

propose a constitutional amendment or new law.

• Referendum – a special election. When voters rather than the legislature vote on an issue, it is called a referendum.

• Recall process – system that allows citizens to remove & replace a public official before the end of a term of office. 

State Legislatures• Members elected from districts.

• Qualifications are outlined in state constitutions.

• Most state legislatures:1. are bicameral (Georgia’s is)

2. hold annual sessions

3. conduct business through committees

• Georgia’s Legislature is called the Georgia General Assembly.

State Legislatures

• State Senator

• Bill Cowsert

But, seriously…

State Legislatures

• Georgia State Representative

• Jon Burns

The real Jon Burns

State Legislatures

• Georgia State Representative

• Anne Purcell

The Executive Branch• Governor vetoes or signs passed bills.

• Governor heads executive branch of state government.

• State constitutions outline qualifications of governor.

• A governor usually must be nominated by a political party & win general election.

• Most governors serve four-year terms.

The Executive Branch• The governor signs laws, represents the

state to foreign businesses, is his or her party’s state leader, and works to obtain federal grants.

• Most governors prepare the state budget and are commander in chief of the state National Guard.

• Most states elect other members of the executive branch, such as the Lieutenant Governor.

The Executive Branch

• Georgia Governor

• Nathan Deal.

• Republican.

• His first term began in January 2011.

Nathan Deal, for real…

The Executive Branch

• Georgia Lieutenant Governor

• Casey Cagle• Leads the

State Senate.

Casey Cagle, though…

Did You Know?Seven governors have later become president:

Rutherford B. Hayes (Ohio)

Grover Cleveland (Ohio)

William McKinley (Ohio)

Woodrow Wilson (New Jersey)

Franklin Roosevelt (New York)

Bill Clinton (Arkansas)

George W. Bush (Texas).

The Judicial Branch• State courts interpret & apply state &

local laws to civil & criminal cases.

• The justice court performs marriages and handles minor civil & criminal cases.

• State courts handle the majority of all criminal cases in the United States.

Providing Education, Health, and Welfare

• State governments provide about 45 % of revenues for local public schools. They set the standards for educational achievement.

• State agencies provide programs of public welfare, health and human services.

• With federal assistance, states help people with special needs.

• With Medicaid assistance, states help low-income people pay medical bills.

Did You Know?• States today raise large amounts of

money from state lotteries. • The largest prize ever won was $363

million. Both winners chose to receive cash payments of about $90 million as their share of the jackpot.

• Of course, they still had to pay income tax to both the state and federal governments.

State Tax Revenue• Sales tax

• Individual income taxes

• Corporate income taxes

• Property/Estate taxes

Other Sources of Revenue

• In addition to raising money from state lotteries…

• The federal government provides about 20% of all state revenues, usually in the form of grants, & dictates how they may be used.

Bye, Felicia!

• For your closer, answer the EQ on your own sheet of paper:

• How does the relationship between state & local governments compare with the relationship between the national & state governments

Day 2

State & local government

Created by the State• States create local governments. (county,

city, town)

• Local governments have no independence; each is dependent on its state government.

• State constitutions set forth the powers and duties of local governments. • SO WHAT WOULD THOSE POWERS BE

CALLED?

Types of Local Government• There are 4 basic types of local governments:

– The County– The Township– The Municipality– The Special District

• The county is normally the largest territorial and political subdivision of the state.

Local Government Services• Local school districts provide most of the money &

make most decisions about how public schools will operate.

• Police and fire protection make up a large part of the local budget.

• Local governments make decisions about road maintenance, water service, & sewage disposal & treatment.

• Many local governments provide recreation & cultural programs for their residents.

Financing Local Government• Local governments finance services by

imposing taxes, such as property taxes. • Most Americans view property taxes

as unfair: they place a heavier burden on those with low incomes.

• Income sources for local governments include income taxes, sales taxes, fines & fees, government-owned businesses, bonds, and state grants.

Athens-Clarke Co.

• County Seat

• Mayor: Acting Mayor Nancy Denson

Did You Know?

• In the 1990s one of the most significant shifts in population was from large cities and suburbs to small towns.

• There were many reasons for this population shift.

• Some families moved to escape the social problems of the cities. Some were attracted by the lower taxes, more affordable housing, and the slower pace of small town life.

Chapter Summary