CHAPTER 19: LEARNING CHAPTER 19: LEARNING OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES
Understand how colonial governments and U.S. historical events helped shape the role of state and local governments
Evaluate the role of the states as “laboratories for democracy”
Explain the function and forms of state constitutions and local government charters
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CHAPTER 19: LEARNING CHAPTER 19: LEARNING OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES
Compare and contrast the role that governors, state legislatures, and courts play in state government administration
Describe the various forms of local government that exist across the numerous municipalities in the U.S.
Assess how different states administer elections
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CHAPTER 19: LEARNING CHAPTER 19: LEARNING OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES
Discern the key functions of state party organizations in the state electoral process and assess the contemporary problems and characteristics of gubernatorial, legislative, and state judicial elections
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CHAPTER 19: LEARNING CHAPTER 19: LEARNING OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES
Compare and contrast the initiative, referendum, and recall mechanisms and assess how they contribute to democratic governance in the states
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STATE “LABORATORIES OF STATE “LABORATORIES OF DEMOCRACY” THAT POINT THE DEMOCRACY” THAT POINT THE
WAY: NOW & THENWAY: NOW & THENStates first created innovative programs
extending benefits to needy state citizens
Became the models for the federal government to enact its national program
States performed as “laboratories of democracy” for the nation as a whole
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JOE RAEDLE/GETTY IMAGES
NOW… UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARENOW… UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE
President Obama and Democratic leaders have been advocating national “universal coverage”
Some state legislatures have expanded health care coverage but
Like the federal government, they have failed to enact universal coverage
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Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning
BETTMANN/CORBIS
THEN… SOCIAL SECURITYTHEN… SOCIAL SECURITY
30 states passed some form of elderly assistance legislation between 1930 and 1935
President Franklin Roosevelt was able to utilize ideas from successful state programs when he proposed national Social Security legislation in 1935
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HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF STATE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTSAND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Colonial governments existed over a century before the U.S. Constitution
The thirteen colonies became the first thirteen states, each with an existing system of government
Each state was accustomed to acting independently
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HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF STATE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTSAND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
After the Revolutionary War, state governments labored to maintain their authority as the new federal government took shape
A critical problem with the Articles of Confederation, the first U.S. government, was that states retained too much authority
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HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF STATE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTSAND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
The Framers of the U.S. Constitution granted greater authority to the federal government, but
Were careful to retain authority for the states as well
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HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF STATE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTSAND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Power to admit new states: Art. IV, §3 of the U.S. Constitution
Governing legislature petitions CongressA state constitution is draftedCongress enacts a bill allowing
statehood, and the president must sign it
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AMERICAN GOVERNMENT … IN AMERICAN GOVERNMENT … IN GLOBAL PERSPECTIVEGLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
THE JAPANESE PRESS REACTS TO A NEW YORK CITY MAYOR’S BOLD EXERCISE OF POWER
A Japan Times article about Bloomberg Compared his use of personal wealth to
finance his New York mayoral campaign to his corrupt predecessors
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AMERICAN GOVERNMENT … IN AMERICAN GOVERNMENT … IN GLOBAL PERSPECTIVEGLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
Noted that Bloomberg isn’t “beholden” to contributors, thus
He’s able to make decisions “based solely on what is good policy,” however
Also noted that, “It bothers people to have someone so rich” tell them to make sacrifices
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Table 19.1 States Names and Native American Words
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STATE CONSTITUTIONSSTATE CONSTITUTIONSThe fundamental law governing the
structure and activities of state and local government
Who has power, how power is shared, how policy is made, the rights citizens have, and how elections are conducted
Cannot conflict with the U.S. Constitution or federal laws and treaties
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STATE CONSTITUTIONSSTATE CONSTITUTIONSCommonly include
1. A bill of rights: individual liberties on which the government may not encroach
2. Identification of state government powers including: authority over cities and towns
3. Voting rules and election requirements
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STATE CONSTITUTIONSSTATE CONSTITUTIONS4. Structure and powers of the legislature
5. Structure and powers of the governor
6. Structure and powers of the courts
7. State budgeting and financing
8. Empowerment and rules authorizing operation of local governments
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STATE CONSTITUTIONSSTATE CONSTITUTIONS9. Provisions for employment in state
government
10. Structure and responsibility for public education
11. Rules for conducting business with other states
12. Process for amending the state constitution
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AMERICAN GOVERNMENT … IN AMERICAN GOVERNMENT … IN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVEHISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
FAILURES IN THE LABORATORIES OF DEMOCRACY
1. Gaining state admission on the basis of its policy on slavery
2. Prohibition—the “noble experiment”
3. California’s long-term contracts with out-of-state energy suppliers
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LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHARTERSLOCAL GOVERNMENT CHARTERS
There are over 87,500 local governments in the U.S. including:
Cities, towns, counties, school systems, and special districts
Charter: a state law granting a local government authority to provide public services, enact and enforce regulations, and raise revenue
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DILLON’S RULEDILLON’S RULE1868 ruling by Iowa Supreme Court
Judge John Forrest Dillon:“…[M]unicipal corporations owe their
origins to and derive their power and rights wholly from the legislature …”
Gives state governments clear authority over local governments, i.e.,
What local services they must provideCopyright © 2012 Cengage Learning
AP PHOTO/MATT ROURKE
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MULTIPURPOSE LOCAL MULTIPURPOSE LOCAL GOVERNMENTSGOVERNMENTS
Chartered by a state to manage and regulate local public services
About 40,000 in the U.S.– vary in size and population
3 Basic Categories: Counties Cities Townships
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COUNTIESCOUNTIES
Called parishes in Louisiana, boroughs in Alaska
Record basic administrative data on the population
Birth and death records, voter registration records, land ownership, etc.
Administer elections and the local court system
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CITIES AKA MUNICIPALITIESCITIES AKA MUNICIPALITIES
Chartered by a state to serve the needs of a more densely populated area
Policy issues include: maintaining and making the business district attractive to businesses and visitors; and dealing with housing issues for residents
Smaller cities are typically referred to as villages or towns
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TOWNSHIPSTOWNSHIPS
The unit for which a local government is chartered in rural areas of the states
In addition, geographic outgrowths of cities are often referred to as towns or townships
In many states, however, the county government provides these services
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Citizens attend a town meeting in the small town of Cairo, Illinois.AP PHOTO/THE SOUTHERN ILLINOISIAN, CHUCK NOVARA
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SPECIAL DISTRICTSSPECIAL DISTRICTS
Provide specialized services rather than a full array of local services , i.e.,
School districts and water districtsApproximately 50,000 special districts
across the fifty states About one-third are school districts
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WHO GOVERNS THE STATES?WHO GOVERNS THE STATES?
All states divide political power among three branches of government: 1. Executive: a governor who administers the
law
2. Legislative: elected legislators authorized to pass laws
3. Judicial: interprets laws and settles disputes
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THE GOVERNORTHE GOVERNOR
Chief executive officer with a variety of important roles including
Ceremonial leader, and head of the state political party
Chief executive and manager of state government
Author of the state budget
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CHECK THE LISTCHECK THE LIST
Most states rely on income and sales taxes for revenue
Job losses and declines in domestic spending in the 2007–09 recession took a large toll on the fiscal health of many states
Pew Center: Ten states in greatest fiscal distress =
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CHECK THE LISTCHECK THE LIST
1. Arizona
2. California
3. Florida
4. Illinois
5. Michigan
6. Nevada
7. New Jersey
8. Oregon
9. Rhode Island
10. Wisconsin
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Source: www.pewcenteronthestates.org — see where your state stacks up
THE STATE LEGISLATURESTHE STATE LEGISLATURES
Lawmaking authority of a stateBicameral [senate and a state house] in
all states except Nebraska (unicameral)Governor may veto a bill, but The legislature may override the veto
with a supermajority vote (usually 2/3rds)
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THE STATE LEGISLATURESTHE STATE LEGISLATURES
7,382 elected members nationwide1970–99 women legislators increased
from 4 to 22%African American legislators increased
from 2 to 8%Increasingly more professionalized and
more of a full-time job
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STATE COURTSSTATE COURTS
Nearly 35 million cases per year = over 95% of the nation’s litigation 1/3rd of the cases are criminal matters
All states have trial courts39 have intermediate appellate courts48 have one high (supreme) court
Texas and Oklahoma have two separate supreme courts for criminal and civil cases
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WHO GOVERNS THE LOCALITIES?WHO GOVERNS THE LOCALITIES?
Vary widely in how they are structured and usually take one of four forms:1. The Mayor-Council Form
2. The Council-Manager Form
3. The Commission Form
4. The Town Meeting
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AMERICAN GOVERNMENT … IN AMERICAN GOVERNMENT … IN POPULAR PERSPECTIVEPOPULAR PERSPECTIVE
THE NEW ENGLAND TOWN MEETING … STILL GOING STRONG 300 YEARS LATER
Advantages/disadvantages of the town meeting system?
If only a small percentage of voters participate, is the system less legitimate?
Would you favor town meetings in larger communities? Why or why not?
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STATE ELECTIONSSTATE ELECTIONS
States are responsible for administering elections = fifty different systems
Cannot discriminate against women, eighteen-year-olds, or racial and ethnic minorities, and
Cannot charge a fee as a voting requirement, or require a literacy test
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STATE ELECTIONSSTATE ELECTIONSVoter Registration: Most states require
this 14 to 30 days before Election Day Nine states allow Election Day registration N. Dakota has no registration requirements Some states require registration with a
particular political party
Some states require primary elections to select party candidates; others allow conventions or caucuses
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Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning
Left: An example of the “Indiana Ballot,” with the name of the political parties heading the columns across the ballot. Right: An example of a “Massachusetts Ballot,” which organizes the candidates on the basis of the office they are running for, with a party label associated with each candidate
AP PHOTO/STUART RAMSON
SUSAN VAN ETTEN / PHOTOEDIT
STATE ELECTIONSSTATE ELECTIONSSome states are dominated by one party The only meaningful competition is in
the primary election or caucus determining the party’s nominee
States also differ regarding campaign finance rules and regulations
Govern money raising and spending in state elections
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Figure 19.1 Party Control of State Legislatures
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STATE PARTY ORGANIZATIONSSTATE PARTY ORGANIZATIONS
All states have a Democratic Party and Republican Party organization
Tend to dominate campaigns and elections
Other party organizations may be found, i.e., the Green Party, the Socialist Party, or the Libertarian Party, but victories are rare
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STATE PARTY ORGANIZATIONSSTATE PARTY ORGANIZATIONS Important roles of parties include:
1. Fundraising for election campaigns
2. Campaign support services to candidates
3. Recruiting candidates and influencing the party nominating process
4. Providing a framework for voters to help make a vote choice
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GUBERNATORIAL ELECTIONSGUBERNATORIAL ELECTIONSGenerally feature significant party
competition, higher campaign budgets, and ample media attention
2010: 26 were Democrats and 24 were Republicans
Many states impose term limits on the governorship
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STATE LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONSSTATE LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS
Significant differences in state legislative campaigns depending on size
Less populous districts: door-to-door canvassing, lawn signs, bumper stickers, campaign buttons
Larger constituencies: more professionalized, well-funded, and characterized by television advertising
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STATE LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONSSTATE LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS
Influenced by political party competition2009: Democrats held 55% of all state
legislative seats; Republicans held 44% However, one particular party tends to
dominate many of these seats, i.e.,In 35% of the elections only one political
party ran a candidate
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STATE LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONSSTATE LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS
The return rate of incumbent legislators exceeds 90% Similar to incumbent U.S. House members
Indicates that support for one’s own state legislator (and Congress member)
Remains high despite general dissatisfaction with state legislatures and Congress
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YOUR PERSPECTIVE… ON YOUR PERSPECTIVE… ON AMERICAN GOVERNMENTAMERICAN GOVERNMENT
YES, VIRGINIA, … YOU TOO CAN RUN FOR POLITICAL OFFICE
2000: Derrick Seaver (18) won a seat in Ohio's State House of Representatives
2001: Jeffrey Dunkel (18) was elected mayor of Mount Carbon, Penn.
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YOUR PERSPECTIVE… ON YOUR PERSPECTIVE… ON AMERICAN GOVERNMENTAMERICAN GOVERNMENT
2005: Michael Sessions (18) was elected mayor of Hillsdale, Michigan
2005: Torrington, Conn. elected Ryan Bingham (22) as mayor
2006: Mark Harris (21) defeated a five-term State House incumbent in the Pennsylvania Republican primary
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STATE JUDICIAL ELECTIONSSTATE JUDICIAL ELECTIONS
Over 86% of state judges are elected, and 38 states elect members of their highest court
Elections are partisan in 17 statesCandidates cannot comment on how
they might rule on a case due to Judicial Conduct Rules
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STATE JUDICIAL ELECTIONSSTATE JUDICIAL ELECTIONS
Missouri Plan aka Merit Plan:A committee of lawyers, judges, and
laypeople selects a slate of judicial candidates (usually three) the governor chooses one of the three
After a set period of time, the judge must face a nonpartisan retention election with no opponent
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Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning
JEFFREY SAUGER/BLOOMBERG VIA GETTY IMAGES
REFERENDUM, INITIATIVE, AND REFERENDUM, INITIATIVE, AND RECALLRECALL
Referenda: votes by citizens which overturn state or local legislation
Initiative: newly drafted legislation submitted directly to a popular vote
Utilized in 24 states (mostly in the West) and countless local governments
18 states permit recall elections to oust statewide officers
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REFERENDUM, INITIATIVE, AND REFERENDUM, INITIATIVE, AND RECALLRECALL
Procedures vary, but usually 3 steps –
1. Citizens petition to put a measure on the ballot for voter approval
2. Once a required number of registered voter’s signatures is gathered, it is put on the ballot
3. Upon a favorable majority vote, the initiative or referendum becomes law
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AP PHOTO/DANNY JOHNSTON
NOW & THEN: MAKING THE NOW & THEN: MAKING THE CONNECTIONCONNECTION
Variety found in the 50 state political systems produces some tremendous benefits
States and localities experiment with new policies, laws, and ways of thinking
Fertile ground for America’s larger experiment with democracy to flourish
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POLITICS INTERACTIVE! POLITICS INTERACTIVE! STATE OF STATE OF THE STATESTHE STATES
Governors present an annual “state of the state” address to their legislatures
Visit NGA’s “state of the states” Web page: http://www.nga.org
Where does your state stack up against the rest in terms of its fiscal situation?
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POLITICS INTERACTIVE! POLITICS INTERACTIVE! STATE OF STATE OF THE STATESTHE STATES
What are the common problems that governors identify as placing fiscal stress on the states?
What does the governor of your state say about issues other than budget deficits that confront your state?
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