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United States and State Government
What is Government?
• The organization people set up to protect the community and enforce its rules
Powers of Government
• Legislative: Power to make laws
• Executive: Power to carry out laws
• Judicial: Power to interpret laws
What is a Law?
• Official rules and regulations, generally found in the constitution
• Used to govern a society and control the behavior of its members
Kinds of Government
• Monarchy: kings and queens are rulers– King George III
• Dictatorship: government with one ruler– Cuba
• Democracy: people have power– U.S. Government
• Political system
• Rule by the people
• People have basic freedom
• Representative Democracy
Democracy
The Mayflower Compact• Mayflower carried
Pilgrims from England to Massachusetts
• Before they left the ship, the passengers wrote a document called the Mayflower Compact
• Promised to pass only laws that were fair to everyone and good for the whole community
The Declaration of Independence
• British raised colonists taxes
• Colonist protested• Fighting began• Committee chosen to
write the document – Benjamin Franklin– John Adams– Thomas Jefferson
• Laid the foundation
for the nation’s future system of government
• Approved on July 4, 1776
• 56 people signed• John Hancock
signed first
Articles of Confederation
• First Constitution of the United States
• Adopted November 15, 1777
• A preamble and 13 articles• State governments had
most of the power • Little power given to the
central government
The Constitution of the United States
• Document that tells basic rules and explain rights of a US citizen
• Written 200 years ago
• Written to unite all the 13 colonies
Constitution
• 57 men helped write it in 1787
• Ratified by the states in 1788
• It has 7 sections called Articles telling how the government works
Three Separate Branches
• Each branch has power to check the others
• Legislative: Power to make laws
• Executive: Power to carry out laws
• Judicial: Power to interpret laws
The Bill of Rights• First 10 amendments
• It guaranteed certain freedoms and rights
• Added after the Constitution
• Freedom of Speech
• Freedom of Religion
• Freedom to Assemble
Amendments
• Amendments change the Constitution
• 2/3 of both the Senate and House of Representative must approve
• 3/4 of all states must approve
Federal Government
• Federal government deals with matters that affect the whole country– Defense– Transportation– Postal Delivery– Federal Taxes
Federal GovernmentExecutive Branch
• Executive Branch carries out national laws• The President is head of the Executive Branch • Commander in Chief of nation’s army • Elected to a four year term• Approves the laws that
congress makes• Proposed national budget• Can veto a bill
Federal GovernmentLegislative Branch
• Legislative branch makes laws for the nation
• Two parts of the Legislative Branch– U.S. Senate – U.S. House of
Representatives
Federal GovernmentLegislative Branch
House ofHouse of RepresentativeRepresentative
• Number according to size of state’s population
• Representative must live in the state they represent
• 25 years or older• US Citizen for 7 years• Elected to 2 year term
SenateSenate• Each state has 2• Senators must live
in the state they represent
• 30 years or older• Citizen of the U.S.
for 9 years• Elected to 6 year
term
Federal Government Judicial Branch
• Judicial Branch interprets and applies national laws
• Make up of the court system• Highest is the Supreme Court
- appointed for life terms• Lowest levels are
Justice of Peace • Gets its powers from
Article III of the Constitution
Georgia’s ConstitutionGeorgia’s ConstitutionGeorgia’s Constitution• The state constitution is the highest body of laws in the state.The state constitution is the highest body of laws in the state.• GA has had 10 rewritten state constitutions. The 1GA has had 10 rewritten state constitutions. The 1stst was was
written in 1777 and the last in 1983.written in 1777 and the last in 1983.• Based on the Based on the U.S. ConstitutionU.S. Constitution with a bill of Rights (limit with a bill of Rights (limit
govt. powers) with elections by popular sovereignty(vote for govt. powers) with elections by popular sovereignty(vote for leader). leader).
Georgia’s Constitution
Separation of PowersSeparation of Powers• Divides power between three branches (Legislative, Divides power between three branches (Legislative,
Executive and Judicial)Executive and Judicial)• Each has their own specific powers (make laws, enforce Each has their own specific powers (make laws, enforce
laws, interpret laws) laws, interpret laws)
Checks and BalancesChecks and Balances• Each branch has the power to “check” or control the other Each branch has the power to “check” or control the other
braches so they do not become too powerful.braches so they do not become too powerful.
State Government
• State Government deals with matters within their own state– Schools– State Roads– State Taxes– State Police
The Branches of Georgia’s Government
Executive, Legislative, Judicial• Three branches of government: • System ensures no individual branch holds too much power
- checks and balances
State GovernmentExecutive Branch
Carries out laws of the state
Governor; is chief officer- proposes budgets, vetoes, appoints board members- represents state to federal and other state governments- elected by voters for four-year terms
State GovernmentExecutive Branch
National vs. GA Government:The Executive Branch
President Barrack Obama
Governor Sonny Perdue
Lt. Governor Casey Cagle
Vice President Joe Biden
•Georgia’s Executive Branch is headed by the Governor, who carries out and enforces laws made by the Georgia General Assembly.
GA Government:The Executive Branch
Secretary of State Brain P.
Kemp
Treasurer Frank Caprio
Auditor Russell W. Hinton
Attorney General Thurbert E. Baker
Legislative Branch
Makes the laws
QualificationsQualifications TermTerm ElectionElection DutiesDuties OrganizationOrganization
Of General Of General AssemblyAssembly
--SenatorsSenators
-be at least -be at least 25yrs. old & U.S. 25yrs. old & U.S. citizenscitizens
-Resident of -Resident of area they area they representrepresent
-Live in GA for 2 -Live in GA for 2 yrs.yrs.
RepresentativesRepresentatives
-min. 21 yrs old-min. 21 yrs old
-resident of area -resident of area served & GA for served & GA for 2yrs.2yrs.
-No Military-No Military
2 yrs. 2 yrs.
2 yrs.2 yrs.
Elections Elections occur on occur on even yrs.even yrs.
for bothfor both
Regular SessionRegular Session
-Meet second Monday of Meet second Monday of January for approx 2 January for approx 2 monthsmonths
-Special Sessions & Special Sessions & CommitteesCommittees
-Make up the rest of their Make up the rest of their time of duty for the yeartime of duty for the year
-Primary DutyPrimary Duty
-1-1-Making state laws-Making state laws and and -2- -2-passing the passing the budgetbudget
-Changes to State -Changes to State Constitution must pass Constitution must pass 2/3 vote in 2/3 vote in GeneralGeneral AssemblyAssembly
Much of the work takes place in Committees that are led by members of the majority party
( political party that has the larger number of members in the General Assembly)
Legislative BranchLegislative Branch
Legislative BranchBillsBills• Bills that will Bills that will tax tax have to start in the have to start in the House of House of
RepresentativesRepresentatives. . • All other bills can start in either the All other bills can start in either the House of House of
RepresentativesRepresentatives or the or the SenateSenate..
TAX HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESTAX HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
OTHER BILLS HOUSE or SENATE OTHER BILLS HOUSE or SENATE
Legislative Branch
House of Representatives
speaker of the House – elected by majority vote in the House
(usually comes from the majority party)
Legislative Branch
House of Representatives (continued)
Speaker of the House
- assign representatives to committees
- decide on topic of debate
- chooses who will lead, chair, each committee
Legislative Branch
House of Representatives (continued)
• Committees chaired by someone from majority party – Majority Leader
(makes sure ideas and interests of majority party are heard in House)
• Minority Leader – head of minority party; attempts to get minority ideas and interests heard in House
Legislative Branch
GA Senate– leader of the Senate: president of the Senate (l.t.
governor)• President of the Senate may be of the majority party or not
– president pro tempro• Leader of Senate’s majority party
(president of the Senate and the president pro tempro may be from different parties – balance of power is sometimes one-sided)
Legislative BranchHow a Bill Becomes a LawHow a Bill Becomes a Law
1.1. DraftingDrafting –Legislators write the bill –Legislators write the bill
2.2. IntroductionIntroduction- Bill is introduced to the members of either - Bill is introduced to the members of either House or SenateHouse or Senate
3.3. Committee ConsiderationCommittee Consideration - Bill is assigned to a committee - Bill is assigned to a committee who may revise it, choose pass or not to who may revise it, choose pass or not to
pass pass it, do nothing (kills the bill), pass by it, do nothing (kills the bill), pass by substitute (write a new one in place substitute (write a new one in place
of)of)
4.4. FloorFloor ConsiderationConsideration – Read aloud to the Senate or House, – Read aloud to the Senate or House, voted on by majority, passed to next body voted on by majority, passed to next body
who votes by majority, if passed on who votes by majority, if passed on to the to the governorgovernor
5.5. GovernorGovernor ConsiderationConsideration - Passes, vetoes (kills it), or - Passes, vetoes (kills it), or does nothing and it passes. Vetoes does nothing and it passes. Vetoes
can be can be overturned by a 2/3 vote in both overturned by a 2/3 vote in both houses. houses.
State GovernmentJudicial Branch
Interprets and applies state laws
The Judicial BranchThe Judicial Branch
Georgia’s Court SystemGeorgia’s Court System•• has different court levelshas different court levels
•• superior courts, juvenile courts, state courtssuperior courts, juvenile courts, state courts
civil casescivil cases: :
settle disputes between two or more partiessettle disputes between two or more parties
criminal casescriminal cases: :
state takes legal action against accused criminalsstate takes legal action against accused criminals
Court of appeals, Supreme Court review fairness of trial court Court of appeals, Supreme Court review fairness of trial court casescases
-- Supreme CourtSupreme Court is Georgia’s highest court, does not hear trials is Georgia’s highest court, does not hear trials
Juvenile court systemJuvenile court system
((for people below 17; up to 21 if minor offensefor people below 17; up to 21 if minor offense))
Two juvenile court case categories:Two juvenile court case categories:1) 1) delinquentdelinquent —committing acts considered criminal—committing acts considered criminal
--help them work out problems, become law-abiding youthshelp them work out problems, become law-abiding youths2) 2) unrulyunruly juvenilejuvenile — considered unmanageable by parents — considered unmanageable by parents
••Superior courts may try juveniles as adults for serious crimes Superior courts may try juveniles as adults for serious crimes
Juvenile violence rises in recent yearsJuvenile violence rises in recent years more tried as adultsmore tried as adults
--juveniles are juveniles are detaineddetained, not arrested;, not arrested; put in put in custodycustody, not imprisoned, not imprisoned
Juvenile CasesJuvenile Cases
Probable cause hearingProbable cause hearing -- decides if further action is -- decides if further action is necessarynecessary
PetitionPetition -- file of charges if child is delinquent-- file of charges if child is delinquent
AdjudicatoryAdjudicatory hearinghearing -- decides if charges are true or -- decides if charges are true or notnot
DispositionalDispositional hearinghearing -- judge decides consequences-- judge decides consequences
continued The Juvenile Court System
GA Government:The Judicial Branch
•Headed by the GA Supreme Court, which interprets and applies the state laws.
The Supreme Court is made up of Six Justices and One Chief Justice.CAROL W. HUNSTEIN, Chief JusticeGEORGE H. CARLEY, Presiding JusticeROBERT BENHAM, JusticeHUGH P. THOMPSON, JusticeP. HARRIS HINES, JusticeHAROLD D. MELTON, JusticeDAVID E. NAHMIAS, Justice
Other Kinds of Government
• County Government– GA has 159 counties
• City Government– controls an area with
large population
• Town Government• Village Government
The People
Provide Public Service
Protect the Safety of their
Citizens
Provide a System of
Justice
Protect the Rights of
Individuals
Promote the Well Being of their Citizens
Purpose of State & Local Governments
Establish local fire
departments
Patrol state highways
Build Roads
Sanitation facilities
Provide state funds for schools
Maintain state prison system
Pass local fair housing laws
• Citizens “fourth branch” of government • Voting is a responsibility of citizenship
- voters must be 18 and legal resident of the state and county• Must pay taxes to keep government running
CitizenshipCitizenship
Role of the Citizen• Rights & Responsibilities of the CitizensRights & Responsibilities of the Citizens
• Citizens rights are stated in the GA Constitution (Article 1)Citizens rights are stated in the GA Constitution (Article 1)
• The The responsibilities of the citizenship responsibilities of the citizenship include:include:
--obeying lawsobeying laws
--votingvoting
--serving on juryserving on jury
--expressing public opinionexpressing public opinion
Citizen’s Rights (further defined)• Countries protect their citizens and
give them rights • Naturalized and Native-born
citizens have the same rights, except one
• Naturalized citizens can’t run for president
• Citizens can vote• Freedom of Religion• Freedom of Speech• Freedom of the Press
What is a Citizen?• Two kinds of citizens• Native-born citizens
– Born here– Children of American citizens born while visiting
other countries
• Naturalized citizens– Have to be at least 18– From other countries– Lived here 5 years to qualify– 3 years if they’re married to an American citizen
Role of the CitizenVoting RequirementsVoting Requirements• Voting is a citizen’s means of expressing their opinion.Voting is a citizen’s means of expressing their opinion.• To be able to vote a citizen must:To be able to vote a citizen must:
-Register to vote-Register to vote
-Be at least 18yrs. old-Be at least 18yrs. old
-Be a citizen of the United States-Be a citizen of the United States
-Legal resident of GA -Legal resident of GA (and county in which they vote)(and county in which they vote)
-Non felony based prisoner-Non felony based prisoner
-Not court ordered mentally incompetent-Not court ordered mentally incompetent
Citizen’s Responsibilities
• Duty to obey the law• Vote in elections• To pay taxes• If the country is at
war, citizens may be called to serve in the armed forces
• Serve on a jury if called
Role of Political Parties in GA• The two dominant political parties in GA are the The two dominant political parties in GA are the Republican Republican
PartyParty and the and the Democratic PartyDemocratic Party..• Political partiesPolitical parties
* nominate candidates for office* nominate candidates for office
* establish party platforms (programs * establish party platforms (programs
& policies they support)& policies they support)
• The The Democratic PartyDemocratic Party dominated GA politics for over dominated GA politics for over 100yrs.100yrs.
• The current Governor, Lt. Governor and The current Governor, Lt. Governor and
most of its legislators are Republicansmost of its legislators are Republicans
Georgia’s Local GovernmentsGeorgia’s Local Governments
City and County Government
Local FocusLocal Focus•• Local government provides many day-to-day servicesLocal government provides many day-to-day services
-- police, fire protection, road maintenance, building inspectorspolice, fire protection, road maintenance, building inspectorsMunicipalitiesMunicipalities
cities and townscities and townshold regular electionshold regular electionshave at least 6 official meetings per yearhave at least 6 official meetings per year
CountyCounty probate court, magistrate court, juvenile courtprobate court, magistrate court, juvenile courtbuild and maintain roads, licenses for vehiclesbuild and maintain roads, licenses for vehicles
*Created by the State to provide services at a local level.*Created by the State to provide services at a local level.
City GovernmentCity Government
weak mayorweak mayor –elected by the people –elected by the people- no real power- no real power- just representative of the city- just representative of the city- decided heads of departments- decided heads of departments- runs the budget - runs the budget
strong mayorstrong mayor -elected by the people -elected by the people- can veto legislation- can veto legislation- can appoint committees- can appoint committees- makes decisions and budgets- makes decisions and budgets
council-managecouncil-managerr is a legislator is a legislator-appointed by council, lacks power to veto-appointed by council, lacks power to veto
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