North Carolina’s General Assembly

North Carolina’s General North Carolina’s General AssemblyAssembly

Chapter 13.1Chapter 13.1

POP QUIZ 13POP QUIZ 13 List 4 ways the NCGA is similar to List 4 ways the NCGA is similar to

Congress:Congress:1.1.2.2.3.3.4.4.

List 2 ways the NCGA is different from List 2 ways the NCGA is different from Congress:Congress:1.1.2.2.

What is the structure of NC What is the structure of NC GovernmentGovernment

Three Branches with separation of powersThree Branches with separation of powers The Legislative Branch (The Legislative Branch (Question #1Question #1))

Makes laws (NC laws are called Makes laws (NC laws are called StatutesStatutes)) The Executive Branch The Executive Branch

Enforces lawsEnforces laws The Judicial Branch The Judicial Branch

Interprets lawsInterprets laws

NCGA in Raleigh, NCNCGA in Raleigh, NC

N.C. Legislative BranchN.C. Legislative Branch

Called the Called the General AssemblyGeneral Assembly Bicameral Bicameral – two chambers (– two chambers (Question 3)Question 3) NC House of Representatives (lower)NC House of Representatives (lower) NC Senate (upper)NC Senate (upper)

In SessionIn Session

NCGA convenes the 3rd Wednesday after NCGA convenes the 3rd Wednesday after the 2nd Monday in Jan. and lasts through the 2nd Monday in Jan. and lasts through mid-June in mid-June in odd-numbered yearsodd-numbered years. A . A special session usually runs from Aug.-Nov. special session usually runs from Aug.-Nov.

Today in Today in even-numbered years, the short even-numbered years, the short sessionsession continues to grow. continues to grow.

Why do legislatures meet more often today? Why do legislatures meet more often today? Why are the pros/cons of longer sessions?Why are the pros/cons of longer sessions?

How is the General Assembly How is the General Assembly Organized? (Organized? (Questions 3, 5 & Chart)Questions 3, 5 & Chart) NC House of RepsNC House of Reps 120 Members120 Members Must be:Must be:

21 Years Old21 Years Old US CitizenUS Citizen Live in District 1 yr.Live in District 1 yr.

Leadership:Leadership: Speaker of the HouseSpeaker of the House

NC SenateNC Senate 50 Members50 Members Must be:Must be:

25 Years Old25 Years Old US CitizenUS Citizen Live in NC 2 yearsLive in NC 2 years Live in District 1 yrLive in District 1 yr..

Leadership:Leadership: Lieutenant GovernorLieutenant Governor President Pro-TemporePresident Pro-Tempore

Powers of the General Assembly Powers of the General Assembly ((Question 2Question 2))

Make Make StatutesStatutes: pass laws that apply to entire : pass laws that apply to entire statestate

Exercise Legislative OversightExercise Legislative Oversight: determine how : determine how well government works & adjusts fundingwell government works & adjusts funding

ImpeachmentImpeachment: charge, try & remove state : charge, try & remove state officials in executive & judicial branchesofficials in executive & judicial branches

Levy taxesLevy taxes Approve the governor’s budgetApprove the governor’s budget Override veto (2/3 of both houses)Override veto (2/3 of both houses) Propose Constitutional Amendments (Must be Propose Constitutional Amendments (Must be

approved by the voters)approved by the voters)

More facts about the NCGA More facts about the NCGA ((Question 6)Question 6)

Baker v. Carr (1962) ruled that all Baker v. Carr (1962) ruled that all seats in state legislatures must be seats in state legislatures must be apportioned by populationapportioned by population

Wesberry v. Saunders (1963) Wesberry v. Saunders (1963) ruled that all districts must have ruled that all districts must have approximately the same numbers.approximately the same numbers.

NC House DistrictsNC House DistrictsHere We Here We

AreAre

Bob Steinburg

NC Senate DistrictsNC Senate DistrictsHere We Here We

AreAre

Bill Cook

How a bill becomes a law in N.C. How a bill becomes a law in N.C.

Very similar to legislative process in Congress:Very similar to legislative process in Congress: Bill is draftedBill is drafted Bill is sent to committeeBill is sent to committee Bill is debated and voted on by entire Bill is debated and voted on by entire

chamber floorchamber floor Bill is sent to other chamber for same stepsBill is sent to other chamber for same steps Bill is sent to conference comm. for final draftBill is sent to conference comm. for final draft Sent back to both chambers for approvalSent back to both chambers for approval Sent to governor Sent to governor

Sign, veto, or set asideSign, veto, or set aside

Problems Facing NCGAProblems Facing NCGACompetition for seats (Competition for seats (Question 5)Question 5)

Part-time pay, full-time job ($13,981)Part-time pay, full-time job ($13,981) Retired, wealthy membersRetired, wealthy members

Budget ShortfallsBudget Shortfalls Must balance budgetMust balance budget Choice: Raise taxes or cut spendingChoice: Raise taxes or cut spending

Scope of government growing:Scope of government growing: More people, more problems, less $More people, more problems, less $

Sources of Revenue, p. 29Sources of Revenue, p. 29 Income taxes: Largest source of $Income taxes: Largest source of $ Sales taxes: 2Sales taxes: 2ndnd largest source of $ largest source of $ Corporate taxes: Tax on biz profitsCorporate taxes: Tax on biz profits Excise/“Sin” taxes: Alcohol, tobaccoExcise/“Sin” taxes: Alcohol, tobacco Estate/inheritance tax: Over $650KEstate/inheritance tax: Over $650K Licenses: Driver’s, Marriage, HuntingLicenses: Driver’s, Marriage, Hunting Lottery: Portion of $ benefits schoolsLottery: Portion of $ benefits schools

Sources of Revenue by TypeSources of Revenue by Type

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

Income Sales Excise Corporate Licensing

Type of Revenue

The NC LotteryThe NC Lottery

Passed in a very controversial mannerPassed in a very controversial manner Sold as an “educational” lotterySold as an “educational” lottery Never put to the votersNever put to the voters Has had some success as economy Has had some success as economy

sourssours Lottery was sold as a way to supplement Lottery was sold as a way to supplement

education money, but instead lottery education money, but instead lottery money supplanted education funds. See money supplanted education funds. See Chart.Chart.

The NC LotteryThe NC Lottery

ProsPros Revenue sourceRevenue source Voluntary “tax”Voluntary “tax” EntertainmentEntertainment Chance of Chance of

winningwinning

ConsCons CorruptionCorruption ImmoralImmoral Unreliable revenue Unreliable revenue

sourcesource ““Tax” on poorTax” on poor