civics chapter 8- state government

HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON11

CIVICSCIVICS IN PRACTICEIN PRACTICEHOLTHOLT

Chapter 8Chapter 8

State GovernmentState Government

Section 1:Section 1: The StatesThe States

Section 2:Section 2: State LegislaturesState Legislatures

Section 3:Section 3: The State Executive BranchThe State Executive Branch

Section 4:Section 4: State CourtsState Courts



The Main IdeaIn the United States, all 50 independent states fit together to form one country. The federal system allows state governments to serve the needs of the

their citizens while cooperating as a united country.

Reading Focus What powers do state governments have? How do states work together with other states and

with the national government in our federal system?




State PowersState Powers

Election oversightElection oversight EducationEducation Police protectionPolice protection

Public building programsPublic building programs Health and safetyHealth and safety HighwaysHighways


Concurrent powersConcurrent powers, like taxation, are exercised by , like taxation, are exercised by both state and federal governments.both state and federal governments.



Components of a state constitution:Components of a state constitution: PreamblePreamble——states the ideals of the governmentstates the ideals of the government Bill of rightsBill of rights——list of rights guaranteed to citizenslist of rights guaranteed to citizens Outline of government organizationOutline of government organization——duties of the duties of the

government’s branches are spelled outgovernment’s branches are spelled out Provisions for electionsProvisions for elections Provisions for managing state affairs, such as Provisions for managing state affairs, such as

education, law and order, highways, and taxationeducation, law and order, highways, and taxation Methods of amending the state’s constitution and list Methods of amending the state’s constitution and list

of approved amendmentsof approved amendments




Cooperation of states with each other Cooperation of states with each other and the federal government:and the federal government: The The full faith and credit clausefull faith and credit clause of the U.S. of the U.S.

Constitution ensures states will respect court Constitution ensures states will respect court decisions of other states.decisions of other states.

Fugitives from one state are subject to Fugitives from one state are subject to extraditionextradition if found in another state.if found in another state.

States work together to reduce pollution and States work together to reduce pollution and maintain mutual public interests.maintain mutual public interests.




Cooperation of states with each other Cooperation of states with each other and the federal government: and the federal government: (continued)(continued)

The U.S. Constitution guarantees a “republican The U.S. Constitution guarantees a “republican government” to each state.government” to each state.

The federal government must help put down The federal government must help put down “domestic violence” in the states.“domestic violence” in the states.

Governments work together to conserve Governments work together to conserve resources, assist the unemployed, build resources, assist the unemployed, build highways, and offer job training.highways, and offer job training.




SECTION 1

Powers Reserved for the States

Federal

concurrent

State

Question: What types of powers are reserved for the states?



The Main Idea

The process of passing state laws is similar to the process used in the U.S. Congress. In some states, citizens can

take a direct role in making the state's laws.

Reading Focus How are state legislatures organized to equally

represent the citizens of the their state? How are state laws passed? How do citizens participate in making state laws?




Populations in state election districts:Populations in state election districts:

19641964——Reynolds Reynolds v.v. Sims Sims: all state election : all state election districts must be as equal as possibledistricts must be as equal as possible

Equally populated districts ensure the Equally populated districts ensure the principle of “one person, one vote.”principle of “one person, one vote.”




Many states require similar qualifications Many states require similar qualifications and terms of office for state legislators:and terms of office for state legislators: Must be U.S. citizens and residents of the Must be U.S. citizens and residents of the

district they representdistrict they represent Senators must be at least 25 years of age, and Senators must be at least 25 years of age, and

representatives must be at least 21.representatives must be at least 21. TwoTwo-- to four to four--year termsyear terms Salaries and benefits tend to be low.Salaries and benefits tend to be low.




Choosing presiding officers and Choosing presiding officers and carrying out legislation: carrying out legislation: Either the lieutenant governor or a selected Either the lieutenant governor or a selected

official presides over the Senate.official presides over the Senate. Speakers are chosen in the lower houses.Speakers are chosen in the lower houses. Committees are appointed.Committees are appointed. Seniority determines many of the Seniority determines many of the

appointments.appointments.




Choosing presiding officers and Choosing presiding officers and carrying out legislation: carrying out legislation: (continued)(continued)

State bills follow a path similar to that of State bills follow a path similar to that of federal bills before they can become laws.federal bills before they can become laws.

Some states require Some states require referendumsreferendums before before certain bills become laws.certain bills become laws.




Question: What are the qualifications and terms of office for a state legislator?

SECTION 2

HELP WANTED

L E G I S L A T O RJob qualifications include:

Terms of Office:



The Main Idea A state’s executive branch carries out laws made by

the state’s legislative branch. Governors are the chief executives of state government.

Reading Focus Who is the state’s chief executive, and what are his or

her powers and duties? Who are the other officials of state executive

branches?




Most governorsMost governors

Must be U.S. citizens who have lived in the Must be U.S. citizens who have lived in the state for a certain number of years.state for a certain number of years.

Must be at least 30 years old.Must be at least 30 years old. Serve fourServe four--year terms with limits of one to year terms with limits of one to

two terms.two terms.




Duties and powers of governors includeDuties and powers of governors include Proposing laws and programs to the Proposing laws and programs to the

legislature; approving or vetoing bills.legislature; approving or vetoing bills. Developing state budgets.Developing state budgets. Controlling state police and militia.Controlling state police and militia. Appointing officials and supervising Appointing officials and supervising

executive branch.executive branch.




Other officials of the state executive Other officials of the state executive branch, in most states:branch, in most states:

Lieutenant governorLieutenant governor——succeeds governor; succeeds governor; presides over the Senatepresides over the Senate

Secretary of stateSecretary of state——keeps state records and keeps state records and supervises electionssupervises elections

Attorney generalAttorney general——in charge of legal businessin charge of legal business State treasurerState treasurer——supervises all state fundssupervises all state funds




Other officials of the state executive Other officials of the state executive branch, in most states: branch, in most states: (continued)(continued)

State auditor (comptroller)State auditor (comptroller)——supervises the supervises the state’s financial recordsstate’s financial records

Superintendent of public instructionSuperintendent of public instruction——governs governs local school districts and distributes state fundslocal school districts and distributes state funds




State Executive Agencies and OfficialsState Executive Agencies and Officials Help the governor carry out the lawsHelp the governor carry out the laws Have specific areas of responsibility such as Have specific areas of responsibility such as

agriculture, justice, labor, public safety, public agriculture, justice, labor, public safety, public works, or transportationworks, or transportation

Officials of agencies are usually appointed by Officials of agencies are usually appointed by the governor.the governor.

Some jobs are filled through Some jobs are filled through patronagepatronage..




Question: What are the powers and duties of the governor?

SECTION 3

Powers and Duties of the

Governor

1. Chief Legislator2. Chief Executive3. Political Party Leader

4. Other Powers




The Main IdeaState court systems include lower courts, general

trial courts, appeals courts, and state supreme courts.

Reading Focus What kinds of cases do state courts handle? How is the state court system organized? How are state judges selected?



State courts handleState courts handle

Criminal cases, which deal with violations of Criminal cases, which deal with violations of the law that harm individuals or society.the law that harm individuals or society.

Civil cases, which deal with disputes between Civil cases, which deal with disputes between individuals or business and generally involve individuals or business and generally involve money or property.money or property.




Four types of state courts and their Four types of state courts and their responsibilities:responsibilities:

Lower courts—handle minor civil cases Lower courts—handle minor civil cases and misdemeanors; traffic cases, family-and misdemeanors; traffic cases, family-relations cases, and small claims relations cases, and small claims

General trial courts—handle major criminal General trial courts—handle major criminal and civil casesand civil cases




Four types of state courts and their Four types of state courts and their responsibilities: responsibilities: (continued)(continued)

Appeals courts—handle appealed cases from the Appeals courts—handle appealed cases from the lower courtslower courts

State supreme court—handles appealed cases State supreme court—handles appealed cases from the appeals courtfrom the appeals court




Overcrowding in the courts causes Overcrowding in the courts causes problems.problems. Calendars are often a year or more behind.Calendars are often a year or more behind. People wait years for settlements.People wait years for settlements. Jails are overcrowded with accused persons Jails are overcrowded with accused persons

awaiting trial.awaiting trial. Crowding thwarts constitutional guarantee of Crowding thwarts constitutional guarantee of

a speedy trial.a speedy trial.


civics chapter 8- state government

Education

state constitution

states constitution

state affairs

united states

winston55cooperation

independent states

state courtsstate courtsfile

federal governments