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