Federalism: Legislative Branch. EQ: How do the legislative branches of government compare at the various levels?

Transcription

1 Federalism: Legislative Branch EQ: How do the legislative branches of government compare at the various levels?

2 Town of Fuquay Read the excerpt on FV town government and fill in the chart.

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4 Wake County Wake County is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners, elected at large to serve four-year terms. Terms are staggered so that, every two years, three or four commissioner seats are up for election. The Board enacts policies such as establishment of the property tax rate, regulation of land use and zoning outside municipal jurisdictions, and adoption of the annual budget.

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6 NC General Assembly--Article II NC Constitution Laws of North Carolina, known as statutes, are made by the General Assembly. The North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA) is made of two bodies or houses; the Senate, which has 50 members; and the House of Representatives, which consists of 120 members. Each legislator represents either a Senatorial District or a House District. The General Assembly meets in regular session beginning in January of each odd-numbered year, and adjourns to reconvene the following evennumbered year for a shorter session.

7 NC General Assembly The Senate and the House of Representatives meet in their respective chambers on Monday evenings and during the day on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The members return to their homes to take care of their affairs and be available to their constituents during the weekend. During the week, committee meetings are held in the morning and late afternoon. A great deal of the legislative work is done in the committee meetings. The House of Representatives is presided over by a Speaker, elected from its membership. The presiding officer of the Senate (called the President of the Senate) is the Lieutenant Governor of the State. She/he has no vote in the Senate except to break a tie. The Senate and House also elect other officers from their respective memberships including a President Pro Tempore in the Senate. At the beginning of each session, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives appoint members to serve on the standing committees of each body. There will be a dozen or more committees for each body, and their work is very important, as every bill introduced will be studied by at least one committee in the Senate and in the House of Representatives. Every legislator serves on several committees.

8 But How much $ do they Make? State Representatives make very little compared to their federal counterparts:. US Reps: $174,000 NC Reps: $13, /mo

9 Reserved powers pass laws examine gov. operations (legislative oversight) elect members of UNC board of gov/state community college system impeach judges/exec. officials (including Council of State) Set budget!

10 Brief History of NC

11 Brief History of NC Constitution Step 1: Declare Independence (Mecklenburg Resolves and Halifax Resolves) Step 2: Constitution of GOODBYE BRITAIN! Step 3: Constitution of GOODBYE SLAVERY, hello racism (Jim Crow Laws) *Rewrite required by the U.S. Congress Step 4: Constitution of GOODBYE JIM CROW--changes in voting (no poll tax, lower voting age) Overall the basic framework of government has remained the same

12 Powers of the General Assembly pass laws examine gov. operations (legislative oversight) elect members of UNC board of gov/state community college system impeach judges/exec. officials (including Council of State) Set budget!

13 Committees in the Leglislative Branch House and Senate have committees The majority of work done in the Legislative branch occurs in committee. Different types of committees Standing committee (always there) Select committee (created to do a special job for a limited time) Joint committee (members from House and Senate) Conference committee (temporary committee that helps the House and Senate agree on details of proposed laws)

14 Powers of Congress Congress also has implied powers. These are powers allowed by the elastic clause. Which says Congress can make any laws that are deemed necessary and proper. Ex: Creating an Air Force Most Powers of Congress relate to law making.

15 Powers of Congress-- Non legislative Checks on other branches Example: Approve Presidential appointments Power to remove officials= Impeachment Limitations on Congressional Powers Cannot make laws that restrict freedom of speech or ban freedom of religion Cannot favor one state over another, tax interstate commerce or exports Cannot suspend the writ of habeas corpus-- explain to someone why they are being held in jail Cannot pass bills of attainder--laws to punish a person without a jury trial Cannot pass ex post facto laws-make an act a crime after the act has been committed.