Welcome to North Carolina

The Tar Heel State

Our State…..

Your Objectives for this week: 3.01 Identify the principles in the North Carolina

Constitution and local charters. 3.02 Explain how the North Carolina Constitution

and local charters define the framework, organization, and structure of government at the state and local level.

3.03 Explain how the state constitution grants and limits the authority of public officials and government agencies.

3.04 Describe how the state constitution and local charters may be changed, and analyze the impact of specific changes.

Coming Attractions for the Week: We will look at:

– The Declaration of Rights– The General Assembly– North Carolina’s Judicial System– Robeson County– Lumberton’s City Government– Services provided by the State

Declaration of Rights Made Easy

Section 1:– All men are created equal and are given rights such as

the freedom of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Section 2:– The power lies within the people and is subject to the

will of the people

Section 3:– The people have the power to regulate their internal

government.

Declaration of Rights Made Easy

Section 4:– Secession from the United States is illegal.

Section 5:– All citizens owe their allegiance to the United

States

Section 6:– Separation of Powers between the legislative,

judicial, and executive branches.

Declaration of Rights Continued

Section 7:– Laws can not be suspended without the

approval of government Representatives.

Section 8:– People cannot be taxed without their consent or

the consent of the General Assembly.

Section 9:– The state shall have frequent elections

Declaration of Rights Made Easy Section 10:

– All elections shall be free. Section 11:

– Property can not affect the political rights and privileges of people.

Section 12:– People have a right to assemble and petition.

Section 13:– People have the freedom to worship whomever they

choose.

Other Rights in the Declaration of Rights Freedom of Speech and Petition (Section

14) Education (Section 15) The Right to Bear Arms (Section 30)

Where can I find more information? http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Legislation/

constitution/article1.html

General Assembly

• Recall from Friday our discussion on the General Assembly.• The General Assembly is divided into two

houses*The State Senate

• The House of Representatives

• Members of the General Assembly are elected for two year terms.

State Senate

Our State Senate has 50 members.– Each member on average covers 2 or more

Counties. Their coverage area is also known as a Senatorial District.

– Our State Senator is:• David F. Weinstein

– Like the US Senate, our State Senate has standing committees

The House of Representatives

Our House of Representatives has 120 members.

The house also has standing committees. Robeson County’s Representatives are:

– Garland E. Pierce (District 48) – Ronnie Sutton (District 47) – Douglas Y. Yongue (District 46)

State Agencies:

North Carolina has several state agencies that are responsible for the execution of laws by the legislature.

The heads of these agencies are elected or appointed by the governor.

They carry out and implement state policy.

State Agencies

The largest is the Department of Health and Human Services– Annual Budget is over 20% of the state’s total

budget. – The department is divided into 24 divisions and

offices including• Aging• Child Development• Mental Health• Social Services

The Division of Parks and Recreation: Part of the Department of Environmental

Health and Natural Resources– Runs and preserves the State Parks and

Recreation Areas.

The D.O.T. The Department of Transportation

– Maintains Roads– Constructs Roads– Plans Roads

• The DOT also manages transportation such as • Ferries• Buses• Railroads• Highways

The DOT Continued

The DOT also runs the Drivers License Offices or the DMV

They also register motor vehicles.