Bell Ringer What were positive aspects of the Mock Supreme Court

activity and how can the activity be improved?

List at least one for each!

State and Local GovernmentsLAST UNIT EVER!

State Constitutions Today

State Constitution Principles

Same basic principles

Protections of civil rights

Governmental structure

Governmental powers and processes

Constitutional change

Miscellaneous provisions

State Legislative Branch

What is the Structure? Basic function of legislature is to translate the public will into public policy

Most State legislatures are bicameral

An ideal size: not too many and not so few◦ Idaho: 35 Senators and 70 Representatives (2 for

each district)

Legislators elected from districts drawn by the legislature every 10 years on the basis of population equality

Who can be a Legislator?

State constitutions define legislator requirements◦ IDAHO: 21, U.S. citizen & live in district 1 year

Two or four-year terms

The typically low compensation keeps many qualified people from running for these offices◦ Idaho: $16,438 per/year

Annual legislative sessions, and special sessions ◦ Idaho: Closest date to Jan. 9th

What are the Powers? Can pass any law that does not conflict with federal law or with the State constitution

Legislatures have the powers to:◦ Tax, spend & borrow $$$◦ Regulate commerce◦ Establish courts & define crimes and punishments◦ Maintain public schools

How are they Organized?

PRESIDING OFFICER

Lower House: Speaker Senate: Either lieutenant governor or a member chosen by the senate

Job of Presiding Officer:◦ Refer bills to committee◦ Appoints committee

members◦ Recognizes members to

speak on the floor and interprets

◦ Applies procedural rules

Scott Bedke (R)

Brent Hill (R)

How are they Organized?

COMMITTEE SYSTEM

Committees are set up by subject

Committee members determine which bills reach the floor

They amend and rewrite bills introduced by members of the legislature

Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee (JFAC)

Idaho budget and appropriations◦ Most streamlined and efficient state budget

systems

Reviews executive budget and budget requests from departments

Submits report of each session about legislative activities

Main Sources of Revenue

•Property Taxes

•Income Taxes

•Sales Tax

•School Bonds

•Levies

•Fees

Revenue Sources

Expenditures

Top three priorities

Education

Healthcare

Transportation

The Legislative Process

Bills introduced by Legislator:◦ Written by:

◦ Officers and agencies ◦ Interest groups◦ Lobbyists◦ Private individuals

Direct Legislation:◦ Initiative:

◦ Voters propose amendments or propose statutes◦ Involves submitting signed petitions

◦ Referendum:◦ Legislative measure decided by the State’s voters for final approval or

rejection

State Executive Branch

The Governorship

Governor: Chief Executive of State

◦ Governor = State’s President

◦ Lieutenant Gov. = State’s V.P.

Idaho Qualifications:◦ 30 years old◦ U.S. Citizen◦ Resident for 2 years

Term: 4 years Brad Little

C.L. “Butch” Otter

State Judicial Branch

The Jury System•Jury Duty – “Duty and Honor”

•The Grand Jury• Determines if evidence against a person is sufficient to

indict• 6 to 23 persons• Secret meetings• Majority opinion

•The Petit Jury• Hears the evidence in a case• 12 jurors• Unanimous or by a large majority

Local Government Structure

State governments organized by:◦ Counties, towns,

and school districts

Small groups and citizens have larger power in voting

Typical County Government Structure

MERIDIAN

Commission Government Structure

Council-Manager Government Structure

Local Government Structure

Mayor: Chief Executive of City

Mayor-Council:◦ Oldest and most widely

used type of city governmentBOISE MERIDIAN

Tammy de WeerdDave Bieter