Unit 7

State, Local, and International Government

I. Levels of Government

A. Splitting Powers

Federal State Powers

Powers

Concurrent Powers

1. Federal Powers –a. Foreign and interstate commerce

b. Declare War

2. State Powers-a. Education

b. Transportation

3. Concurrent Powers- Taxes

B. Different Levels

1. Federal (national) Washington DC

2. State (50), Harrisburg

3. Locala. County (67)

b. Municipalities (Cities, boroughs, townships)

c. School Districts (500)

C. State Government

1. Executive Branch

a. Governor – Ed Rendell (D)

b. Allowed two terms, each four years in length.

c. Elected in Gubernatorial elections in even, non-leap years.

d. Powersi. Vetoii. Commander-in Chief of National Guardiii. State of the State address

e. Departmentsi. PLCBii. Penn DOTiii. State Policeiv. PDE

f. Other executivesi. Lt. Governorii. Treasureriii. Auditor Generaliv. Attorney General

2. Legislative Branch

a. General Assembly – bicameral legislature

b. House of Representativesi. 2 year terms

ii. All elected at same time

iii. Elect a Speaker

c. Senatei. 4 year terms

ii. Only half are elected at once

iii. Lt. Governor is President of Senate

3. Judicial Branch

a. State Supreme Court in Harrisburg

b. 7 justices

c. Elected for 10 year terms

D. Local Government

1. County

a. Larger than cities and townships.

b. Philadelphia and Allegheny (Pittsburgh) are most populated.

c. Warren, Venango, and Crawford make up TASD.

d. Executive and Legislative Branch are combined.

e. Judicial branch is separate.f. Officials:

i. Commissioners a). 3 are elected.b.) They choose a chair.c). There must be commissioners from both parties.

ii. Sheriffiii. Treasureriv. Prothonotary – clerk, record keeper. v. Commissioners and other officials sit on

committees to set rules and services for county.

vi. Departmentsa). Housing

b). Aging

c). Assessment

d). Child and Youth Services

g. Judicial Branchi. Court of Common Pleas

ii. Service depends on population.

iii. Family matters

iv. Criminal law

v. Civil law

vi. Estate disputes

vii. Juvenile Court

2. Municipality

a. Roads, water and sewage, property and income taxes.b. Cities

i. Divided into three classes by size.ii. Elect a mayor & council.iii. May appoint a manager &officers.

c. Boroughsi. Same gov’t as cityii. Smaller with less services.

d. Township.i. Supervisors run township like county commissioners.ii. They also are workers for townships.

3. School Districta. Biggest school districts are still run by cities (Philadelphia and

Pittsburgh)b. School Board

i. 9 membersii. Elected – every 4 years in odd numbered years, only half at a time.iii. Non-payiv. They choose officers

a). President Donna Popieskib.) VP – William Lovec.) Secretary/Treasurer can be member or employee.

v. School board meeting once a month.vi. Organize into committees during work sessions.vii. Critiques: Not necessarily professionals or experienced educators.

c. Administrators – they hire district officersi. Superintendent – Karen Jezii. As. Sup. Terry Kerr

d. TASDi. 1869

ii. 2,412 students

iii. About 15,000 citizens

iv. Between $15 and 20 million budget.

v. Most funds come from property taxes.

vi. Some come from state and federal grants.

II. International Government

A. Similar to USA

1. United Kingdom - Constitutional Monarchya. Queen is figurehead (head of state)b. Prime Minister (head of government) is elected by

Parliament (legislature)

2. Japana. Has a constitution and an emperor.b. Uses a bicameral National Diet (legislative branch)

that elects a PM.

3. Mexicoa. Has a multi-party system (PAN and PRI)b. President is Head of State and Government.

B. Different Governments1. People’s Republic of China

a. Communist Oligarchy (rule by a small group of people)b. Communists dominate political lifec. Limits on freedom of expression

2. Iran – Theocratic Republica. People elect a legislature and presidentb. Religious Supreme Leader and Guardian Council can veto anything,

even candidates for offices3. Russia

a. Strong President that appoints a Prime Ministerb. Legislature (Duma, makes the law).

4. Saudi Arabia – Theocratic Monarchya. Religion is most important, but only because king says it isb. All citizens must be Muslimsc. All visitors must follow Muslim law, cannot practice their own religions

openly.