Federalism

Part 1 State Governments &PA’s State Government

Unitary Government Systems

Strong national government with no (or weak) local governments

Examples – France, Great Britain, Italy, Sweden.

Federalist Government System

Division of power between a nat’l and regional (state) gov’ts, with both levels retaining significant powers.

Examples – US, Canada, Australia, India, Germany, Switzerland

Effects of Federalism

* Decentralizes power (separation of power)

* Citizens living in different parts of the country will be treated differently (different state rules)

* More opportunities for people to participate in gov’t (multiple levels)

* Tension exists between national, state and local levels about roles in serving the citizens.

Thousands gather inside Madison Wisconsin's Capitol rotunda to protest Governor Walker's

proposed bill.

State Governments

- Power of states are called “reserved powers” or “police powers”. (10th amendment)

- States generally have control over:

elections

police

education

highways/driving laws

healthcare

licenses (professional, hunting, fishing, driver’s, etc)

- local governments exist at the pleasure of the states and states have control over local gov’ts- Ex- Norristown’s take over by state after corruption

charges

State Governments

All states have a governor, state legislature, separate state court systems, and state constitutions.

State governments primarily get money from

State income tax (in PA around 3%)

Sales tax (in PA 6%)

Federal grants ( increased due to amendment 16)

Various other taxes on businesses, estates, and consumers (gas, cigarettes, tolls, etc)

State Constitutions

Explain how state government will work and protect rights of citizens in that state.

May allow: Initiatives – citizens propose laws that get voted on by the public

ex- Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act

Referendums – legislatures put questions to the public for approval- often involve spending

ex- Open Space Initiative, improving infrastructure such as roads bridges, sewers

Recalls – people vote to remove someone from office earlier than their term ends; different than impeachment

ex- Cal. Gov recalled; replaced with Arnold Swarz.

PA only has referendums

Recent State Ballot Measures from 2010Legalization of Marijuana (CA) , or medical marijuana (AZ, and

SD)

Change state law so a fetus is entitled to legal rights. (CO)

Add “right to hunt and fish” into state constitutions. (AZ, AR, SC, TN)

Term limit questions for state employees (NM, OK)

PA State Government - Executive

Governor

Current – Tom Corbett (R)

Began first term in Jan. 2011

Former PA Attorney General

Cabinet

Selected by Gov. to head state’s departments

Example – Sec. of Education, Sec. of State

PA State capital is _________.

http://www.governor.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/cabinet_officials/2995

Governor Tom Corbett

shrink state government eliminate the state liquor monopoly (private companies will sell

alcohol- not state stores) reduce business taxes institute school vouchers for public schools pass lawsuit reform (medical) restructure public welfare reform the state legislature less money to local governments and school districts but also lessen

mandates they have to follow

Governor Elect Tom Wolf

Marriage Equality Anti-Discrimination Law Progressive Income Tax Minimum Wage Increase Expanding Sick Leave Protecting Voting Rights Increase Women & Minority owned Businesses Strengthening the States Equal Pay law

PA Legislature –General Assembly House of Representatives

203 members from 203 districts

2 year terms

Current majority party is Rep

Local PA House members Daylin Leach (D)

Mike Vereb (R)

Senate 50 senators elected from 50 districts

throughout the state

4 year terms

Current majority party is Republican

Local State Senator John Rafferty (R)

What do PA State House Members and Senator get? 2nd largest full-time, 2nd most expensive state legislature in the

country.- PA spends about 312 million on its legislature. ($25 per person) California’s is most expensive New York’s is largest (including support staff) Only 9 states have full-time legislatures

Salaries- average around $78,000 Benefits:

Health insurance benefits (doctor and prescript.) around $17,000/yr Lawmakers only pay %1 of cost out of salaries (compared to 10-30% in

general public)

Office expense - $20,000- $25,000/yr Full-time staff (average is about 9 people)

Other part-time legislatures may only have one staff member per elected official

Car $7,800/yr Per diem costs of $143/day Pensions