Georgia State Government
Georgia s Constitution Structure: Preamble/Introduction Eleven Articles: 1. Bill of Rights 2. Separation of Powers 3. Establishment of lower government & taxes
Responsibilities 1. Pay taxes 2. Participate in Government Voting Holding political office 3. Defend Nation 4. Serve on a jury
Voting qualifications Citizens of the United States 18 years old Legal resident of Georgia and the county where the person wants to vote Voter cannot currently be serving jail time for a felony offense or ruled to be mentally incompetent
Elections in Georgia Primary: when you elect a member within your political party
Elections in Georgia General: an elections where the winners from the primaries compete for office. These elections are held in November.
Elections in Georgia Special: an election that is used to present a special issue to voters to fill a vacancy
Political parties Two-Party System Role of political parties is for a group of like minded individuals who share common beliefs and ideas to work together to elect other like minded individuals.
Essential Questions How do political parties serve the purposes of voters with different opinions?
Crisis
Essential Questions How do political parties serve the purposes of voters with different opinions?
Voter Scenarios
Voter Scenarios Tammy has just moved to Atlanta from Houston, TX. It is the day before the election and she has decided that she wants to vote in this year s presidential election. Can she vote in this year s election? Why or why not?
Voter Scenarios Adam has lived in Conyers for a year and a half and loves getting involved in local politics. He has proof of residency proving that he is a legal resident of Georgia. However, Adam never changed his driver s license from his home state of New York. The election is next week. Can he vote in the election? Why or why not?
Voter Scenarios Sam has just been released from prison for robbery a felony crime. He is not on probation and is anxious to find a job and get on with his life. His friends are encouraging him to vote for Senator Barack Obama for president. Sam is hesitant because he doesn t know if he is eligible to vote. Can he vote in the election? Why or why not?
Voter Scenarios Tasha just received a speeding ticket in DeKalb county. She s never been in trouble with the law before and is nervous that this speeding ticket will go on her record. Can she vote in the election? Why or why not?
Voter Scenarios Jake s 18 th birthday is on Friday. The Friday before the election. He really likes John McCain and wants to help him win the presidency. Can he vote in the election? Why or why not?
Voter Scenarios Renee currently lives in Covington, GA (Newton County), but she is still registered to vote in Cobb County. The election is three weeks away. Can she vote in the election? Why or why not?
Voter Scenarios Tony has suffered from many mental disabilities most of his adult life. He works at the local grocery store and owns his own home. The neighborhood kids even call him the crazy man because he sits on his front porch and whispers to himself. He is registered to vote. Can he vote in the election? Why or why not?
Voter Scenarios Dr. Smith is what some call a mad scientist. He is a genius in the sciences and has even come close to discovering a cure for cancer. He is a celebrated doctor and scientist. Unfortunately, last year Dr. Smith was committed to a mental institution by a judge due to mental distress he suffered after the death of his cat. Can he vote in the election? Why or why not?
Foundations of Georgia s Government Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, Citizens Rights and Responsibilities
Georgia s Government What is the Georgia state constitution? It is the governing document that explains the laws, governmental offices, and citizens rights and responsibilities in the state of Georgia.
Georgia s Government What is the basic structure of the Georgia state constitution? Structure of the Georgia state constitution: Preamble (Introduction) Articles (11 main articles) Sections Paragraphs
Georgia s Government What is the basic structure of the Georgia state constitution? Article I: Bill of Rights Article II: Voting & Elections Article III: Legislative Branch Article IV: Constitutional Boards & Commissions Article V: Executive Branch Article VI: Judicial Branch Article VII: Taxation & Finance Article VIII: Education Article IX: Counties & Municipal Corporations Article X: Amendments to the Constitution Article XI: Miscellaneous Provisions
Georgia s Government What are the three branches of government? The three branches of government are the: Executive Branch: Carries out laws Legislative Branch: Makes laws Judicial Branch: Evaluates or reviews laws
Structure of U.S. Government
Structure of Georgia Government State Capital Governor s Mansion State Supreme Court General Assembly Governor Lieutenant Governor
Structure of Georgia Government Executive Branch Legislative Branch Judicial Branch Carries out the laws. Makes the laws. Evaluates or reviews the laws. Governor: Nathan Deal (Republican) 82 nd Governor Lieutenant Governor: Casey Cagle (Republican) Also includes the head officials of these departments: Department of Agriculture, Attorney General, GA Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner, Public Service Commission, Secretary of State, and State School Superintendent. General Assembly House of Representatives: 180 members representing the citizens of Georgia. Senate: 56 members representing the citizens of Georgia. Courts at the state, county and city levels. Supreme Court Juvenile Courts Court of Appeals Superior Courts Probate Courts Magistrate Courts
Georgia s Government How do the separate branches of government ensure equal power among the branches? When the U.S. Constitution was written, the writers wanted to separate the powers of the branches of government so no one branch would have all or most of the power. They also included a system of checks and balances to keep the branches of government accountable to one another. The Georgia constitution was modeled after the U.S. Constitution.
Checks and Balances EXECUTIVE BRANCH LEGISLATIVE BRANCH JUDICIAL BRANCH
Checks and Balances EXECUTIVE BRANCH Determines whether laws are constitutional Can propose constitutional changes; Impeach officials LEGISLATIVE BRANCH JUDICIAL BRANCH
The Legislative Branch 1777: unicameral legislature 1789: bicameral legislature called the General Assembly
The General Assembly Propose and pass bills Both houses must approve bills All legislatures are elected by popular vote 2 year terms with no limit
Legislative Sessions 40 day sessions starting 2 nd Monday in January End mid- March
The General Assembly Georgia Senate Georgia House of Representatives Lieutenant Governor Passes laws on taxes, education, contracts, property, etc Speaker of the House
The Georgia House of Representatives 180 members Presiding Officer: Speaker of the House Must be 21 year old Writes Appropriations 36 Standing Committees
The Georgia Senate 56 members Presiding Officer: Lieutenant Governor Confirms appointments 26 Standing Committees Must be 25 year old
The Presiding Officer Determines the order of business Controls debate Rules out proposed Amendments to bills Enforces rules of procedure for the General Assembly Tells committees when to meet Roll call for vote on any issue Specific Requirements
Georgia s Population 2010 Census
Reapportionment Every 10 years, the legislature redraws the voting lines into districts House Senate
Legislative Committees Allow the legislature to look at bills more closely Standing Committees permanent from one session to another Ways and Means: bills involving taxes Appropriations: budget bills Judiciary: laws and court system
Legislative Committees Interim Committee: Works on assigned issues between sessions Joint Committee: Has people from both houses that are brought together to work on assigned bill Conference Committee: When the House and Senate have different version of bill; takes two bills to make one
So How Does a Bill Become a Law??
New Bill A proposal is written in legal language by the clerks office The bill is given a name and number Copies are made for all of the legislators
Assigned to a Committee Committee discusses good and bad points Public meetings may be held Committee can: A. Hold Bill B. Pass Bill C. Change Bill D. Kill Bill
House of Representatives A bill is sent to the full house for discussion It can be amended at this point A majority is needed to pass the bill
Certified Carried by messenger to Senate
Senate Assigned to a committee where the bill is discussed A. Hold Bill B. Pass Bill C. Change Bill
Governor Passed on to Governor if both houses agree on the same bill Governor can: A. Pass B. Hold C. Veto
Your Turn! What kind of bill would you like to see passed in the Georgia General Assembly? Taxes Education Contracts Real/Personal property Inheritances Mortgages Corporations Marriage/Divorce Fines Imprisonment Public Regulations
The Executive Branch How does the Governor of Georgia get elected? By majority of the popular vote S/he is elected to a 4 year term
The Executive Branch Are there any restrictions on how many terms the Governor can serve? Yes, 2 consecutive terms for a total of 8 years. They must then wait 4 years before running again. Georgia Governor's Mansion 391 West Paces Ferry Rd NW Atlanta, Georgia 30305
The Executive Branch What are the qualifications to become Governor? 30 years old Citizen of the U.S. for 15 years Resident of the state for at least 6 years
The Executive Branch Who takes over if the Governor dies or resigns? The Lieutenant Governor takes control until the next general election Nathan Deal Casey Cagle
The Executive Branch Who is the Lieutenant Governor? How is s/he elected? o 2 nd in command to the Governor o Elected by popular vote at the same time as the Governor o Presiding Officer of the State Senate
The Executive Branch How are the Governor and Lieutenant Governor different? o Can serve unlimited terms o Presiding officer of Senate Nathan Deal 16 years Casey Cagle
Powers of the Governor What exactly does it mean to be Governor?
Formal Powers Executive o Appoint officials o Enforce civil and criminal law
Formal Powers Legislative Powers o Signing bills into law o Vetoing bills o Calling special sessions of the General Assembly
Formal Powers Judicial o Pardon criminals o Appoint justices
Formal Powers What kind of power am I? Include being able to pardon persons convicted of crimes and appoint state justices to fill unexpired terms Judicial
Formal Powers What kind of power am I? Include being able to appoint state officials and making sure that criminal and civil laws are enforced Executive
Formal Powers What kind of power am I? Include sending requests and messages to the legislature and being able to veto a bill so it does not become law Legislative
Informal Powers Look at your notes- how are the informal powers of the Governor just as significant as the formal powers?
Elected Officials The people of Georgia elect officials to various roles within the executive branch. Let s look at some of those roles now.
Elected Officials Lieutenant Governor Presiding officer of the Senate, acting Governor when Governor is not present
Elected Officials State School Superintendent
Elected Officials Public Service Commission
Elected Officials Secretary of State
Elected Officials Attorney General
Elected Officials Commissioner of Insurance
Elected Officials Commissioner of Agriculture
Elected Officials Commissioner of Labor
Non-Elected Officials The Governor s most influential power is appointed officials.
Non-Elected Officials Department of Public Safety
Non-Elected Officials Georgia Department of Transportation
Non- Elected Officials Department of Natural Resources
Non-Elected Officials Department of Economic Development
Elected Officials Get your phones out! www.kahoot.it
Judicial Branch
Types of Cases Civil Disputes between two or more persons or groups Criminal Cases involving violations of the law
Judicial Branch The role of the Judicial Branch is to: o interpret the state constitution o protect the legal rights of citizens o enforce the laws of the state
Due Process The US Constitution says no state can deprive any citizen of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN!?!
Due Process This means: You have the right to an attorney You have the right to a speedy trial You have the right for it to be in front of a fair judge You may plead the fifth
Adult Justice System o Divided between Civil and criminal law o Serious offenses are given trial by jury o Categorized as misdemeanor & felony
Adult Justice System Felonies: o Serious crimes such as arson o No less than 1 year jail sentence o Punishable by death in some cases 1. Murder 2. Kidnapping with bodily injury 3. Aircraft high jacking 4. Treason
Adult Justice System Misdemeanors: o Less serious o Punishable with less than 1 year sentence o Examples include, but are not limited to: 1. Assault 2. Battery 3. Cruelty to animals 4. Shoplifting 5. trespassing
Adult Justice System Pretrial: 1. arrest: enough evidence that someone has committed a crime 2. booking: officially processed 3. initial appearance: explained charges by a judge 4. preliminary hearing: magistrate judge decides if there is enough evidence for a trial
The Jury System Grand Jury: determines whether or not persons accused of crimes should be indicted and required to stand trial If there is enough evidence, the grand jury then issues an indictment
Adult Justice System Assignments before Superior Court: the suspect states that they are guilty of not guilty 1. Not guilty: case goes to trial 2. Guilty: case goes directly to sentencing
The Jury System Trial Jury: is a group of citizens who are charged with judging a person charged with a crime
Adult Justice System Trial: 1. Selecting a jury: 12 jurors of peers are selected by the lawyers 2. Opening Statements 3. Presentation of Evidence 4. Closing Statements
Adult Justice System 5. Jury Deliberations and verdict: jury decides if the defendant is guilty or not. If found not guilty, the suspect is released. 6. Sentencing: if found guilty, judge sentences defendant according to the law. It is up to the judge to determine how long the accused will spend in jail.) 7. Appeal: reviewed by a higher court
Juvenile Justice System Delinquent Act: an act committed by a juvenile that would be a criminal act by adult standards. If the act is serious enough, the juvenile can be tried as an adult.
Juvenile Justice System Status Offense: only against the law because of a person s age aka an unruly offense
Juvenile Justice System Juvenile Rights: 1. Right to parent/guardian before being questioned by authorities 2. Names/photographs are not to be made public 3. Two phone calls: parents and attorney 4. Right to not self-incriminate 5. Right to not be placed with adult offenders 6. Right to parents being contacted immediately
Juvenile Justice System Juvenile Steps: 1. Intake Officer 2. Released or Detained 3. Informal Adjustment 4. Adjudicatory Hearing: judge decides juveniles guilt or innocence there is no jury for juvenile cases
Juvenile Justice System Juvenile Steps cont: 5. Disposition Hearing: judge hears witnesses to determine sentencing 5. Sentencing: rules on punishment 7. Appeal
Georgia Court System State Court 70 Courts 105 Justices Juvenile Court 159 Courts 120 Judges & Associate Judges Supreme Court 7 Justices Court of Appeals 12 Judges 4 Divisions Superior Court 188 Judges 49 Circuits Probate Court 159 Courts 159 Justices Magistrate Court 159 Courts 159 Chief Magistrates 346 Chief Magistrates
Appellate Courts Supreme Court 7 Justices Appellate Jurisdiction: exclusive in cases involving constitutional issues, treaties, contested elections, capital felonies, titles to land, wills, equity, divorces, and alimony Court of Appeals 12 Judges 4 Divisions Appellate jurisdiction: in cases not reserved to Supreme Court Superior Court 188 Judges 49 Circuits General Jurisdictional: exclusive in cases of felonies, divorces, titles to land, and equity cases. Appellant Jurisdiction: over probate, magistrate, and municipal courts
Trial Courts State Court 70 Courts 105 Justices Limited Jurisdiction: misdemeanors, felony pretrial proceedings, traffic offenses, and most civil cases Probate Court 159 Courts 159 Justices Limited Jurisdiction: probating wills, administering estates, appointing guardians, and involuntary hospitalization of incapacitated individuals Juvenile Court 159 Courts 120 Judges Limited Jurisdiction: children under 17 years old said to be delinquent, unruly, or charged with traffic offenses; under 18 said to be deprived Magistrate Court 159 Courts 159 Chief Magistrates 346 Chief Magistrates Limited Jurisdiction: Criminal: pretrial proceedings, warrants, bail; county ordinance, traffic and bad check violations; miscellaneous misdemeanors Civil: small claims under $15,000
Checks and Balances
Checks and Balances The Executive Branch: can veto bills passed by the legislative branch and can call special sessions of the legislature. It also has some appointment powers when officers of the court resign or die The Legislative Branch: can impeach officials in the executive or judicial branches. It can override a governor s veto of bills to make them into laws. It must also confirm appointments made by the governor. It can also propose constitutional changes. The Judicial Branch: determines whether or not laws are constitutional.
Questions before your test?
Georgia Counties
Why do we need counties? Counties were created by the Legislature to serve as districts for carrying out state laws and programs Boundaries created by state legislature
What is a county seat? Center of county government is the county seat This is where the county courthouse or government complex is located
County Responsibility 1. Operate court of law 2. Protect citizens 3. Maintain local roads
Responsibilities Enact reasonable laws regarding local property and affairs County resolutions
How many? Since 1932 GA has had 159 counties 10,000-50,000 people 14 counties have more than 100,000 Higher population = what?
More power in state government! House Senate
County Government Board of Commissioners are elected by population They have a combination of executive and legislative powers
Activities for the State 1. Trial courts for judiciary branch 2. State health and welfare programs 3. Conducts voter registration and state elections
Georgia Cities
Municipality A city with its own government Savannah was founded by Oglethorpe in 1733 Augusta was named after St. Augustine
Do you have it? A city must have a charter to be recognized as a political unit 1. 200 residents 2. 3 miles from the boundaries of another city 3. 60% of land must be divided up
Limits A city government is limited by their charter think about our charter here at SSCMS, how are the concepts similar?
City Government 1. Mayor -Council Form 2. Council-Manager Form 3. Commission Form
Mayor-Council Form Graphic Organizers on page 572 Weak-Mayor Council Strong-Mayor Council Figurehead
Council-Manager Form A city Council is elected to make decisions and establish new laws and polices again: see graphic organizer on page 572
Commission Form Voters elect commissioners who head a department within the city government. They then elect the mayor. see graphic organizer on page 573
City-County Government The merger of both city & county governments to better benefit the people who live within the community
Where Do Georgia s Citizens Live?
Where? Urban Areas Rural Areas More than 2,500 OR A city & surrounding area with 50,000 + people Less than 2,500 people
Metropolitan Areas ⅔ people of Georgia live in a metropolitan area Central city with over 50,000 residents A city and its surrounding counties with a total population of over 100,000
Atlanta Has over 50% of state s population 70% live in urban areas 50 years ago 70% of Georgia s population lived in rural areas Agriculture Business
Urban Sprawl People move out of cities and into the suburbs bringing businesses with them Inner cities loose industry and population
Problems with Urban Sprawl Unplanned expansion Not enough infrastructure Economic Hardships Traffic
Urban Revitalization Less tax money = less power for city Number of voters based in populated suburbs Attempts to bring people back to the city Successful venture: building convention centers and other tourist attractions