State Government

The Structure and Purpose of State Government

The State Capitol in Sacramento

Supreme Court of California in San FranciscoThe legislative branchPrimary duties:Pass laws on important mattersThe power to tax and spend moneyBasic structure:Bicameral w/ Senate and House of Representatives Legislative sessions:Most meet once a year for several months

Legislative branch cont.Organization of Legislatures:Lower house around 100 members, Senate around 40 membersSpeaker of the House is picked by the majority partyLieutenant governor presides over SenateThe Course of Legislation:Member of the state legislature introduces billBill is sent to a committee, which will hold a hearingMust pass through both houses with a majorityLast stop is the governor

John PerezHouse Speaker

Gavin NewsomLieutenant GovernorThe Road to legislatureElected from districts of equal populationFormal and Informal Qualifications:Resident from district they wish to representMust be 25 to serve as senator, 21 to serve in lower houseMost are lawyers, work part time and underpaidTerms of Office:Senators serve 4 year termsLower house members serve 2 year terms

The Executive branchHistorically given very little powerQualifications: 30 yrs old, resident for five years, American citizen, served in state and local govt, of them are lawyersElection: win a nomination from their political party, win the popular vote in the general electionSalary ranges from $65,000 to $200,000

Governors Mansion State Historic ParkRole of the governorProposes and signs legislation, proposes a budget, appoints top officialsPlays are large role in the political party he/she belongs to Commander in chief of California National Guard Negotiates grants from the national governmentWorks cooperatively with neighboring statesWorks with national and foreign businessesAbility to grant pardons, shorten sentences, release prisoners on parole

Judicial branchInterpret state and local laws, decide most cases of murder, assault, reckless drivingTypes of cases:Civil Case: between two or more individuals or organizationsCriminal Case: state brings charges against a citizen for violating a lawTypes of courts:Minor courts: justice, small claims, juvenile, domestic relations, traffic General Trial CourtAppellate CourtSupreme Court

State government policy: Regulating BusinessSet insurance rates, interest rates for loans, administer licensing examsProtect consumers: false advertising, landlord tenant regulations, interest rates on credit cards, estimates for automobile repairsProtect workers: regulations for minors, workers and unemployment compensation

State government policy cont.Environment: environmental impact statements, permits for water/air pollutionProtect life and property: laws to deal w/ crimes, organize state police force, sentencing and criminal correctionEducation: contribute to public school funds, competency requirements, minimum requirements for graduationPublic Health: licensing, regulate sale of drugs, require vaccinations, provide a wide range of health servicesPublic Welfare: grants given to states to administer welfare programsQuick facts about governor jerry brownBorn in S.F., graduate of UCB and Yale Law School76 years oldServed as governor for two terms 1975-1983Served as mayor of Oakland 1999-2007Reelected for a third term and was inaugurated Jan 3 2011(no term limits prior to 1990)Running for a 4th term this yearHigh approval rating 6 out of 10 Californians support himCurrently lives in a downtown loft in Sacramento with his wife (former CEO of GAP)

Governor Brown interview Jan 2013http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-nevd6gt3IAnswer the following questions in your notebook:What are Governor Browns priorities while he is in office? From his point of view, in what ways has he helped California?What points do the panelists make about Browns policies?