Transcript STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT
FEDERALISM:
One Nation and Fifty States
Powers of the States
None specifically listed in Constitution
10th Amendment: gives to the states or the people all
powers not given to the federal government.
Separate Powers: states – create schools, federal – coin
money
Both: provide public assistance (government programs that
give to people in need).
Examples???
State Constitutions
Northwest Ordinance of 1787 – requires new
states to have constitutions
Content & Structure
More detailed
Tax structure
Passed ballot proposals
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(Proposal 2)
Stem-Cell Research
State Constitutions
State constitutions are much more specific/longer
Laws
Taxes
Similar in format
Preamble
Set-up (legislative, executive, and judicial branches)
Changed more often – less flexible
18 states have constitutional initiative – Need 317,757 to
propose a Michigan Constitutional Amendment
Federalism in Action
Powers to the States -- Local
issues
Education
Transportation
Healthcare
Experimental programs –
resources/environment
Powers to the National
Government – Broad issues
Some problems too big for state to
handle.
National security
STATE LEGISLATURES
Who are State Legislators
A full time job today.
Early American history = rural
Not many legislators
Not needed full time
In Michigan
38 Senators
110 Representatives
Who are State Legislators
Michigan is bicameral – Our Legislative Branch
contains two houses.
In some states the lower house (better known as the
House of Representatives) has been referred to as:
Assembly
General assembly
House of Delegates
Upper House known as the Senate
Who are State Legislators
QUALIFICATIONS….In Michigan
Senators & Representatives
U.S. Citizen
21 years old
No felonies/subversions within past 20 years
Michigan has term limits!!
Joe Hune, District 22
Senate – may serve 2 four-year terms
House of Representatives – may serve 3 two-year terms
Pros/Cons???
SESSIONS
Most states hold annual sessions Representative Tom Cochran (D)
Can be as long as 6 months or 20 days
Governor can call a special sessions
In Michigan…
Senate meets T, Wed, & TH at 10:00 a.m.
House of Representatives meets T & Wed at
1:00 p.m. and TH at 10:30 a.m.
Tom Cochran, District 67 above
REPRESENTATION
Every seat is apportioned – divided into districts by
population
Seats are reapportioned every 10 years
In Michigan each district has…
Senate = 212,400 to 263,500 residents
House of Representatives = 77,000 - 90,000 residents
According to 2010 Census
When will districts be re-divided???
MAKING LAWS – Powers of the People
Initiative – citizens propose laws
(citizens gather signatures on a
petition and the proposed law is
put on to a vote in a state-wide
election).
Only 24 states allow voter initiative
In Michigan, need 258,088
signatures to put on ballot
Need 322,609 to propose a
Michigan Constitutional Amendment
Referendum – Legislature
passes a law and people are
allowed to approve or reject it.
In Michigan, need 161,305
signatures to approve/reject.
Recall – process for removing an
elected official from office
Checks and Balances
Legislators approve
officials appointed
by governor.
Approve governor’s
budget
Power of
impeachment over
executive and
judicial branch.
FINANCING STATE GOVERNMENT
Taxes = Revenue (state income)
Sales tax: charges made on purchases of goods and
services (Michigan = 6%)
Excise tax: charge on certain goods (evil goods) such
as gasoline, alcohol, and tobacco
Income tax: a tax on what businesses and individuals earn
States can choose taxes
Licenses, lumber
Some states do not have sales tax (MT)
Revenue
FEDERAL FUNDS
Categorical Grants – Money
given for specific purposes
road repair, job training
Certain criteria must be met
before state can use the money
Example: “Race to the Top”
Block Grants
Money given for broad
purposes (education)
States decide which programs
receive funds
Example: Federal Recovery
and Reinvestment Act Stimulus
OTHER SOURCES OF REVENUE
Bonds – certificates
(piece of debt) people
buy from the government
Government pays back
money paid in, plus
interest
Lotteries
Constitute 5% of total
revenue of the state
40% of lottery income
pays for Michigan
education
State Spending – Where does the
Money Go?
Where does the money go?
STATE EXECUTIVE
The Roles of Governor – Rick
Snyder
Chief Executive – oversee
the executive branch and
ensure laws are enforced
Appoint members of the
executive branch.
Commander in Chief – can
call on state militia or National
Guard
The Roles of Governor – Rick Snyder
Legislative Leader
Propose legislation in
the form of a bill,
budget, or speech
Talk with legislators
and/or gain public
support
Veto legislation;
Congress can override
with over 2/3 vote
The Roles of Governor – Rick Snyder
Judicial Role
In Michigan, the governor can only
appoint judges if the judge dies,
becomes ill, or retires during an
elected term.
Pardon: reduce or overturn the
sentence of convicted persons
Qualifications & Terms
25 years old
American citizen
Michigan resident
May serve two 4-year terms (in
Michigan)
Lieutenant Governor – Brian Calley
Performs gubernatorial
duties in governor absence
Presides over State Senate
Tie-breaking vote
State Administrative Board
Member – represents
governor at local, state,
and national meetings.
Other delegated
responsibilities
Secretary of State – Ruth Johnson
After the Lieutenant
Governor, the Secretary
of State is next in line for
the governorship.
In charge of official
records and documents
Think DMV (long lines….)
Supervises elections
Serves a four – year term
Attorney General – Bill Schuette
State’s chief legal officer
– attorney for the State
of Michigan
Represents the
government in litigation
(such as child support,
healthcare, ect.)
Elected position in
Michigan – serves four
year terms
State Treasurer – Kevin Clinton
Michigan Department
of Treasury’s Mission:
“Treasury exists to
provide quality
financial, tax, and
administrative
services.”
Oversees state’s
financial affairs
State Executive Agencies
Carry out the day-to-day work
of the executive branch.
Departments
Health, revenue, natural
resources, education
One of the agency’s major
responsibilities is to ensure
state education laws are
enforced.
STATE COURTS
Michigan’s State Court System
Consists of the following:
Trial Courts
Court of Appeals
Michigan Supreme Court
Michigan “Hall of Justice”
Michigan Trial Courts
Hear criminal & civil cases
Original Jurisdiction
Ingham County has 5 trial
courts:
1.
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2.
3.
4.
5.
30th Circuit Court
Circuit Court handles more
serious matters (higher fines
and punishments)
54A District Court
54B District Court
55th District Court
Ingham County Probate Court
(wills, estates, guardianship)
Michigan’s Court of Appeals
Originated in 1965 with 9
judges
By 1993, there were 28 judges
and several courts
Average 8,000 cases annually
Mandate: “To secure the just,
speedy, and economical
determination of every action
and to avoid the
consequences of error that
does not affect the substantial
rights of the parties.”
Michigan Supreme Court
The “Court of Last Resort”
Seven justices
Qualifications include:
License to practice law for five
years
Must be under 70 years of age
Court receives over 2,000
applicants annually
Responsible for the general
administrative supervision of all the
courts in the state, and establishes
the rules for practice in the courts.
Michigan Judges
State judges are elected
Advantages: responsible to the public, check
on other branches
Disadvantages: qualifications??
Missouri Plan: governor appoints a judge
from a list prepared by a commission of
judges, lawyers, and/or citizens.
Length of term varies (depends on court
level- most terms run 4-15 years.
Most states have judicial action
committees to monitor judicial activity
In Michigan, most judges are selected by
popular vote.
The Sentencing of Billy Thomas
LOCAL GOVERNMENT:
Types of Local Government
Counties and Townships
Oldest unit of government is
the county
County government
originated in England
Colonies were divided into
counties to carry out laws in
rural areas
Distance to county seat set
the boundaries of many
counties.
County Officials
Board: group of people who
manage the business of an
organization
Also known as commissions
3-5 members
(commissioners)
Organize county programs
and pass ordinances (local
laws)
District 13-Commissioner Randy Schafer
Republican. Served as Commissioner: 1985 present. Committee Assignments: Law Enforcement
Committee, Judiciary Committee. Represents District
13 - City of Williamston, Villages of Webberville, and
Stockbridge, Locke, Williamstown, LeRoy, White
Oak and Stockbridge Townships.
Share power with other
boards
Most commonly know
county official = sheriff
Townships
In the Midwest, counties
were divided into townships.
Purpose: create schools,
roads, and carry out other
duties.
Today most township duties
are done by city and county
governments.
Townships elect
representatives to serve on
the county board.
Stockbridge – 1859 Topographical Map
New England Towns
Towns originated in New England
(colonies)
Rural government
Voters met annually at town
meetings to pass laws, set taxes,
and decide how money should be
spent.
Churches, schools, homes
Direct democracy still exists today
Special Districts
Unit of government that
provides a single service
May serve one community
or several
Boards run most special
districts
Schools, transportation,
parks, fire, pest control
SMAA is our athletic district
Cities
Municipality – government
that serves people who live
in an urban area
Most municipalities are called
cities, especially those that
serve large populations
In some states, municipalities
that serve small populations
are called towns or villages
Today, a mid-sized American
city has between 25,000250,000 residents
Cities
Municipality government must meet a wide assortment
of needs
Drug abuse programs
Pollution control
Community health
Water & Sewer
Waste Management
Boundaries set by state
Some write charters, or government plans, that must be
state-approved.
City Governments
1.
City governments follow one of three plans:
Mayor-Council Plan
Strong Mayor
Weak Mayor
2.
3.
Council-Manager Plan
The Commission Plan
Mayor-Council Plan
Originated in England
Mayor – executive and Council – legislative
35% of U.S. cities utilize this plan
Two major types:
Weak-Mayor Plan
Strong-Mayor Plan
Lansing Mayor Virg Benero
Weak-Mayor Plan
No special mayoral (executive) powers
Council has greater power
Council elected by the people; acts as both
legislative and executive
Makes ordinances
Decides on taxing and spending
Council selects the mayor
Keeps power in the hands of many
Strong-Mayor Plan
Relationship between
mayor and council
resembles the President
and Congress
Council makes ordinances
Mayor is elected by voters
Responsible for budget
Making city policy
Choosing officials
Detroit Mayor Dave Bing
Council-Manager Plan
GOAL: Run government like a
business
Historical Purpose: rid city
government of political machines
and bribery
Council chosen in election; no
political ties
Council makes ordinances and
hires a city manager to handle
day-to-day business
Manager free of political
pressure; not elected
Used in over 2,000 cities
The Commission Plan
First appeared in Galveston, TX in
1900
City destroyed by hurricane; weak mayor
could not handle rebuilding
Voters choose several commissioners
to make ordinances
Each commissioner also directs a city
department, such as public assistance,
water, education
Disadvantages:
no strong leader to deal with budget
issues and
No way to encourage department
cooperation
Final Thoughts
Citizens determine the success of the
community
Most cities seek advice from residents; so give it!
LOCAL GOVERNMENT:
Services & Revenue
Vocabulary Check
Utilities: services needed by the public, such as
water and electricity.
Zoning: laws that divide a community into areas
and determine how land can be used’
Intergovernmental Revenue: money given by
one level of government to another.
Education
Most local governments spend a majority of funds on
education
Michigan is different; education is funding through sales tax.
State officials stet standards for employees and buildings in the
school district.
Federal Government helps fund buildings, school lunch
programs, and programs with children with special needs.
Local vs. State Control:
Local: citizens/staff know what children of the community need
State: Ensure standards are met and that each child has equal
opportunity.
Utilities
Local Government Spending: 1988-1999
U.S. Census Bureau
Water
Gas
Electricity
Sewage
Garbage Collection
Health and Welfare
Welfare is paid for by local, state, and federal governments
Over 30 million Americans receive some sort of welfare.
Types?
Local officials carry out state health laws, inspect restaurants,
markets, and hotels, to ensure federal standards are met.
Land Use
Zoning separates
a community into
distinct areas –
commercial,
residential,
industrial
Zoning prevents a
factory being built
next to a house.
Zoning is used to
control the growth
of communities.
Public Safety
Police
Firefighters
Ambulance
911 Service
People are hired to ensure that safety rules are
followed.
Building codes and fire codes.
Revenue: Paying for Services
Local governments depend on
several sources of money.
Taxes
25% of revenue for local
government comes from property
tax.
Sales tax is another tax that brings
in revenue
Mileages
Revenue: Paying for Services
Service Charges and Profits
Charging for building inspections to
meet safety codes
Bridge tolls, park entrance fees,
and parking meters
Revenue: Paying for Services
Sharing Revenue
Federal and state
governments often give
money to local governments,
also called intergovernmental
revenue.
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Grants: usually designated for
a specific purpose
Block Grants: allow local
officials to decide how to best
use money
Limits on Revenue
Many times demand is
greater than the amount of
money available.
Power of tax is controlled only
by the state
The state also controls what
the money is used for and
how much taxes will be.
Revenue: Paying for Services
Borrowing Money
When taxes do not cover costs,
bonds can be sold by the state
government.
Bonds can be sold, for example, to
construct schools.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT:
Conflict & Cooperation
The Government Hierarchy
Conflict develops through layers of
overlapping government.
Local government answers to the people
Local government answers to the state
State governments all answer to the federal
government
Eventually, the most important
cooperation is between the government
and the people directly.
Relations
Three types of
cooperation exist
between the
government and the
people:
Relations between
local governments
Relations between
local and state
governments
Relations between
local, state, and federal
government.
Relations between Local Governments
Cooperation:
Council Government: where neighboring counties hold
meetings to meet needs
Conference of Mayors: a way to link local governments
Shared emergency services and public facilities
Conflicts that usually occur:
Economic
Zoning
Relations between Local and State
Governments
Home rule: the right to write one’s own charter
The local and state government can have
conflicts that take years to decide:
Cooperation:
Public use of transportation or education
Highway commissions
State Employee testing
Relations between State, Local, and
Federal Governments
Key to the relationship: Money!
Federal gives money to state to divide up
among local governments
Federal can give directly to local
governments
Conflict occurs in Spending:
How local government spends money can
be restricted by national needs (homeland
security).
Cooperation
Pollution is an effort that is regulated at all
levels and requires aid from all levels
FBI and Homeland Security