Unit #5: State and Local Government. Select enumerated, reserved, or concurrent for each power...

Unit #5: State and Local Government

• Select enumerated, reserved, or concurrent for each power

1. Coining money2. Enforce laws3. Establish local governments4. Maintain army and navy5. Borrow money

NC State Government

I. The Legislative Branch

• Called General Assembly– Has a Senate (50) and House of Representatives

(120)

• Members are elected to 2 year terms

II. Executive Branch

• Governor: Chief Executive of the State– Current NC Governor: Beverly Perdue

• Lieutenant Governor: Takes place of Governor in case of vacancy

III. Judicial Branch

• 4 Levels:– District—lowest level, misdemeanors– Superior—felonies– NC Court of Appeals—appeals– NC Supreme Court—highest level, appeals

• 2 Important State Cases:– State v. Mann (1830)– Leandro v. NC (1997)

Class Starter

• Classify each power as enumerated, reserved, or concurrent.

1. Declare war2. Collect taxes3. Conduct elections4. Regulate interstate and foreign trade5. Provide for the general welfare of citizens

Local Government

I. County Government

• Largest unit of local government

• Legislative Branch—County Board of Commissioners

• Executive Branch—County Manager/Sheriff

http://www.co.robeson.nc.us/comis.htm

Kenneth SealyRicky Harris

II. City Government

• Set up through the process of incorporation

• Legislative Branch—City Council

• Executive Branch—Mayor/City Managerhttp://www.pembrokenc.com/government.htm

http://www.ci.maxton.nc.us/

1. What is the legislative branch of city government?

2. What are ordinances?3. Explain annexation.4. Explain the Council-Manager form of

government.

State and Local Government Budgets

I. State Budget

• Governor writes the budget and sends it to General Assembly– Written in odd years, adjusted in even years

• NC Constitution says budget MUST be balanced

• State Expenditures:– Over ½ on Education, Health and Human Services

• State Revenues:– Intergovernmental Revenue, Sales tax**Pg. 683

II. County and City Budgets

• Both are proposed by the manager, and approved by the legislature (commissioners or council)

• NC Constitution says budgets MUST be balanced

• County Expenditures: Public school systems, health/human services, public safety

• County Revenues: Property taxes, intergovernmental revenue, bonds**Pg. 683

• City Expenditures: Utilities and public safety

• City Revenues: Utility user fees, property taxes, intergovernmental revenue, bonds

Supreme Court Cases• Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

– Ruled that “separate but equal” laws in the South were constitutional

• Brown v. Board of Education (1954)– Ruled that “separate but equal” laws in the South

were not constitutional• Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of

Education (1971)– Ruled that schools can bus students to other schools

in the district for integration as a result of the Brown case

1. Who prepares the NC budget?2. What is the largest source of income

(revenues) for state government?3. What is the largest source of income

(revenues ) for local government?4. What is a pocket veto?

Public Policy

I. Introduction

• Definition: the course of action the government takes in response to an issue or problem

• Best way to impact public policy—GO VOTE!

II. Public Education• State sets graduation and teacher standards

• Each county pays for its own school system with county tax $

• In response to concerns about public education, NC legislators allowed the creation of charter schools

• Good: small classes, innovative teaching, less restrictions • Bad: takes $ away from other schools, lacks diversity

III. Public Safety

• City Police (city limits) and Sheriff (county) enforces laws

• NC Highway Patrol—enforces traffic laws on state highways and all public roads

• State Bureau of Investigation—Investigates state crimes; helps other law enforcement agencies

IV. Land Use

• Local governments regulate how land is used to protect property values and protect health/safety

• City/County Zoning Boards establish zoning laws

• Laws that determine where certain facilities can be built in a county or city

• Some local governments give businesses tax breaks to locate to their towns

Supreme Court Cases

• Regents of the University of California v. Bakke– College admissions quotas based on race are

unconstitutional– It’s ok to consider the race of a student, but it

can’t be the only factor!