State and Local Government

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1 State and Local Government

2 What is a State? In the US A State is a political entity for a specific region/territory, shares sovereignty with the Federal Government (Federalism) You are a citizen of both the US and the specific state you reside in You can change residency to a different state freely without any government interference States can vary significantly in size, all are guaranteed representation in the Federal government with 2 senators, and at least 1 representative (varies by population) in the Federal Congress Wyoming is the smallest state in population with 600,000 total people smallest in size is Rhode Island California is the largest state in population with 39 million - largest in size is Alaska 4 states, including Pennsylvania, consider themselves officially a commonwealth but do not have any different status from other states in the US other than it being their official name Commonwealth based on English tradition meaning a government led by the people

Similarities All States feature an executive, legislative, and judicial branch and utilize republican principals similar to that of the United States All States oversee local government within the

3 Similarities All States feature an executive, legislative, and judicial branch and utilize republican principals similar to that of the United States All States oversee local government within the state, all state governments include: A county structure across the state regional government providing local services (called parishes in Louisiana) Incorporated Local Government cities, towns, townships, boroughs, villages, etc. provide local services You will hear these sometimes referred to as municipalities Unincorporated Areas areas without a local municipality and is instead overseen by state/county govt. All States have the ability to create interstate compacts, or agreements between two states All States are required by US Constitution to extradite, or to send criminals who are captured/caught back to the state they are being charged

4 Click on Luzerne County to see local governments in Luzerne County

few notable differences Executive, Legislative, and

6 Pennsylvania s Government Pennsylvania has a very similar government system to our federal government A few notable differences Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches are main three branches in PA Government

The Pennsylvania Executive Branch Much like US Executive Branch the PA Executive Branch runs the state s day to day business The Governor is the lead executive of the state enforces laws of the state

7 The Pennsylvania Executive Branch Much like US Executive Branch the PA Executive Branch runs the state s day to day business The Governor is the lead executive of the state enforces laws of the state Must be 30 and have lived in PA for at least 7 years Also maintains a cabinet, much like the President Other Major Executive Branch positions include the: Lieutenant Governor President of the State Senate, will take over for Governor when needed Attorney General oversees all law enforcement/prosecution in the state Auditor General oversees all financial spending in the state government, makes sure it is proper State Treasurer manages all money and property of the Commonwealth More information on Pennsylvania Executive Branch

8 State Departments Governor s Cabinet Which are similar, and which are different from the Federal Departments? Department of Aging Department of Health Department of Agriculture Department of Insurance Department of Banking Department of Labor/Industry Department of Community and Economic Development Department of Conservation of Natural Resources Department of Corrections Department of Military/Veterans Affairs Department of Education Department of Public Welfare Department of Emergency Management Department of Revenue Department of Environmental Protection Department of State Department of General Services Department of Transportation (PennDot)

Pennsylvania General Assembly Much like the US Federal Government, PA has a bicameral legislature (not many states have this, most have a unicameral legislature) PA General Assembly also uses system

9 Pennsylvania General Assembly Much like the US Federal Government, PA has a bicameral legislature (not many states have this, most have a unicameral legislature) PA General Assembly also uses system of committees similar to Federal Govt. The Senate PA Senate consists of 50 senators, each representing a senatorial district of the state Senators must be US citizen, 25 and have lived in PA for 4 years, and their district for a year Lieutenant Governor serves as President of Senate and can break a tie A President Pro-Tempore serves as the substitute President of Senate, and is chosen by a majority vote

10 PA State Senate Districts

PA House of Representatives 203 Representatives represent 203 districts across Pennsylvania Representatives must be 21 years old and have lived in their district for 1 year Speaker of the House is

11 PA House of Representatives 203 Representatives represent 203 districts across Pennsylvania Representatives must be 21 years old and have lived in their district for 1 year Speaker of the House is the elected leader of the House of Representatives Speaker Pro-Tempore substitutes for Speaker of the House when absent Committee system includes standing committees, select committees, and conference committees

12 Who are your Legislators? Use this online tool to find out who your state legislator and state senator is! State ID Law Controversy

13 Pennsylvania Court System

14 So what are some of these so called Reserved Powers? Well check out the PA website to see the different services, agencies, and other major parts of our state government! You will find some similar agencies that we have in our federal government, but also some that are unique to the reserved powers of the state

15 Case Study Department of Education Education = Reserved Power is a state power How is Pennsylvania Law Administered? General Assembly passes all elements of PA School Code Elements of School Code signed into law by Governor Governor assigns enforcement of school code to Department of Education School Districts are regional government entity formed that strictly follow school code work w/ State Dept. of Education State Standards In PA these are recommended standards, school districts/schools have authority on their own curriculum and what is taught within framework of the state Public Schools are subject to Keystone Exams which are required for graduation

Direct Democracy and State Government Many state governments incorporate elements of direct democracy into their Constitution Initiative: voters directly propose amendments to the State Constitution

16 Direct Democracy and State Government Many state governments incorporate elements of direct democracy into their Constitution Initiative: voters directly propose amendments to the State Constitution or to create a new law or statute Need to gain a minimum number of signatures to get initiative proposed officially Direct Initiative the proposed initiative is directly voted on by the people in the general election What ancient government does this sound similar to? Indirect Initiative the proposed initiative is voted on by the state legislator, if it fails it then goes to the people to vote on directly Pennsylvania does not use the initiative at the state level An Initiative Process is allowed in the Constitution in Philadelphia and Alleghany Counties (Pittsburgh)

The Referendum A Referendum is when a legislature gains final approval for a law/amendment directly from the general electorate (voters) of the state Mandatory Referendum this is required to be

17 The Referendum A Referendum is when a legislature gains final approval for a law/amendment directly from the general electorate (voters) of the state Mandatory Referendum this is required to be submitted for approval by voters Optional Referendum this is when the legislature voluntarily refers the bill/law to the voters Why would a legislature do this? Let the people decide! Popular Referendum A popular referendum is demanded by the citizens of a state through a petition with a minimum number of signatures. Pennsylvania utilizes a mandatory referendum for amendments to the State Constitution (all state constitutions besides Delaware mandate this) and an optional referendum, they can also exist at the local level of government

The Recall Recall the democratic removal of

completion of their term It is different from

the people Usually require people to gain a

recall the official Famous Recall California

18 The Recall Recall the democratic removal of an elected official from office before the completion of their term It is different from an impeachment an impeachment is done by state legislator over ethical issues 19 states allow for the recall of a governor by the people Usually require people to gain a minimum number of signatures on a petition to recall the official Famous Recall California in PA does NOT allow recalls at state or local level

19 Simulation Ideas for initiatives to Wilkes-Barre city? Need at least 10 signatures to propose the initiative on the ballot Direct Initiative need at least Referendum A new bill proposed by the legislature that will make Kit Kats the official chocolate of Mr. Port s classroom Need a majority to pass referendum

In PA, as in all states, the Governor is the executive commander of the state militia The State Militia is the state s organized units of the National Guard The State Militia

service, National Guard Units serve at the discretion of the governor, usually used for emergencies such as prison riots, forest fires, aid in evacuation/relief after

20 In PA, as in all states, the Governor is the executive commander of the state militia The State Militia is the state s organized units of the National Guard The State Militia units were nationalized in 1940 with the onset of World War II The President has the right to call National Guard units into action with foreign conflicts When not in federal service, National Guard Units serve at the discretion of the governor, usually used for emergencies such as prison riots, forest fires, aid in evacuation/relief after catastrophes, prevent looting, etc. Citizen Soldiers most National Guardsmen are part time and have full time jobs they go full time when activated by the Governor or the President The State Militia

Magruder s American Government

Presentation Pro Magruder s American Government C H A P T E R 24 Governing the States 2001 by Prentice Hall, Inc. C H A P T E R 24 Governing the States SECTION 1 State Constitutions SECTION 2 State Legislatures