Reviewing Key Terms

___ tax in which people with lower incomes pay a larger portion of their incomes

___ two-house legislative body

___ one in which state brings charges against a citizen for violating the law

___ revenue distributed by one level of government to another

___ an organization that supplies such necessities as electricity, gas, or telephone service

G

I

C

H

A

Match the term with the correct definition.

A. public utility F. item vetoB. mandate G. regressive taxC. criminal case H. intergovernmental revenueD. initiative I. bicameralE. civil case J. workers’ compensation

Reviewing Key Terms

___ one usually involving a dispute between two or more private individuals or organizations

___ a formal order given by a higher authority

___ a method by which citizens propose a constitutional amendment or a law

___ payments people unable to work as a result of job-related injury or ill health receive

___ the power to turn down a particular item in a bill without vetoing the entire bill

E

B

D

J

F

Match the term with the correct definition.

A. public utility F. item vetoB. mandate G. regressive taxC. criminal case H. intergovernmental revenueD. initiative I. bicameralE. civil case J. workers’ compensation

1. What is the method most states use to ratify an amendment to a state constitution?

Recalling Facts

Most states use a popular vote to ratify an amendment to a state constitution.

2. What are the political qualifications that a person must meet to become governor?

A candidate should have experience serving in state and local government and should possess a knowledge of law.

3. What are four methods that states use to appoint state judges?

Recalling Facts

States use popular election, election by state legislatures, appointment by the governor, and the Missouri Plan to appoint state judges.

4. How do states regulate public utilities?All states regulate the rates that public utility companies may charge customers in return for granting the company the right to supply service in the state or part of the state.

5. In what three ways do federal grants influence the states?

Recalling Facts

Federal grants supply funds for programs that states otherwise might not be able to afford; they stimulate programs and goals that the federal government believes are necessary; they set certain minimum standards in the states.

1. Federalism In the federal system, how is sovereign power divided among state and federal laws and constitutions?

Understanding Concepts

State laws must be consistent with the state constitution, just as federal laws must agree with the United States Constitution. A state constitution cannot contain provisions that clash with the Constitution of the United States, nor can a state law.

2. Separation of Powers What legislative policy-making role is a governor expected to fill?

Understanding Concepts

A governor is to direct important legislation (propose and sign legislation) and to identify state needs.

1. Making Comparisons How do state constitutions compare in length and detail to the United States Constitution?

Critical Thinking

In general, state constitutions are longer and contain much more specific detail than does the United States Constitution.

2. Understanding Cause and Effect Use a graphic organizer like the one below to show why spending for education differs among local districts.

Critical Thinking

Cause: each local district has a different tax base that determines its ability to support education

1. What is the subject of this cartoon?

Interpreting Political Cartoons Activity

state funding of education and schools

2. As depicted here, how are state funds allocated to schools?

Interpreting Political Cartoons Activity

In the situation depicted in the cartoon, students pay a meter to receive academic instruction. Students decide how much education they will receive by how much money they deposit in the meter.

3. How does the cartoonist feel about the current funding system?

Interpreting Political Cartoons Activity

Possible answer: Differences in the total amount of spending per pupil exist among the states and among localities within states. Differences in spending on education between rich and poor school districts have become vast in some states. Many state courts have claimed such differences are unconstitutional. The cartoonist jokes about the capability of some students to pay for their education.

Why do state governments hold the right to issue occupational and professional licenses? Licenses are a form of consumer protection, helping to ensure that people working in various professions have the appropriate qualifications for doing so.