Vocabulary Unicameral – one house – legislative branch Bicameral – two houses – legislative branch Segregation – separation of races. In NC, this deals mostly

with blacks and whites after the Civil War to the 1960s. Census – official population account to show population

shifts Commute – reduce a sentence. A power of the NC

governor Ordinances – local laws Incorporate – to receive a state charter, officially

recognizing the government of the locality. Municipality – either a city, town, or village in NC Charter – basic rules for a municipality Annexation – process of bringing unincorporated land into

a municipality.

North Carolina History “First in Freedom”

First Provincial Congress (August 1774) – elected people to the Continental Congress

Mecklenburg Declaration (May 1775) – citizens of Mecklenburg County stated that the only lawful government was the provincial government, not the British.

Halifax Resolves (April 12, 1776) – NC was the first state to call for complete independence from Britain.

Sent 3 delegates to the 2nd Continental Congress Did not ratify Constitution until 1789 when Bill of

Right added

North Carolina History cont. Three Constitutions in NC’s history

Very small number compared to other states 1st – Constitution of 1776

Very similar to the US Constitution 1835 Changes

Voters now allowed to elect governor, approve or reject constitutional amendments

Took away rights of free men of African and Indian decent 2nd – Constitution of 1868

All Confederate states had to create new Constitution after Civil War

Slavery abolished, all men over 21 could vote 3rd – Constitution of 1971

All elections free, freedom of speech, equal protection of laws

Suffrage in North Carolina After Civil War, next 2 decades African

Americans got to vote. Hiram Revels – 1st African American to vote

By 1900, General Assembly set up discrimination test to keep minorities (Blacks and Indians) from voting

Women fought for suffrage (voting) in NC, but to no success until the 19th amendment in 1920

Voting Requirements: Citizen 18 years old by the next General Election Lived in voting precinct for 30 days Not serving felony sentence Registered to vote

Legislative Branch The Legislative Branch of North Carolina’s

state government is called the General Assembly

Makes two types of laws: Statutes – apply to everyone in the state Local or Specific laws – just to certain areas in

the state Major power deals with finances. How much to

spend and how much to tax? Legislative Oversight – review of government

operations

The NC General AssemblySENATE

50 Members

Presiding Officer:Lieutenant Governor

Elected Chamber Leader: President Pro Tempore

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

120 Members

Presiding Officer:Speaker of the House

Elected Chamber Leader:Speaker of the House

Executive Branch of North Carolina State Government 4 year terms, 2 consecutive – can come back

for another 2 after a 4 year Must be 30 years old, US citizen for 5 years,

lived in NC for 2 years Lt. Governor elected also. Must meet governor

qualifications. Head of the NC Senate. Council of the State – 8 state agencies, people

elected to these 4 year positions, unlimited Offices of the Council -

GovernorPat McCrory

Lieutenant Governor

Dan Forest

State Treasurer

Commissioner of Insurance

Superintendent of Public

Instruction

Secretary of State

Attorney General

Comm. Of Agriculture

State AuditorSecretary of

Labor

Elected Officials

Supreme Court

Court of Appeals

Superior Court

District Court

Other Court

Officials

State Government Each state has its own constitution. All states have three branches of

government. Voters ratify amendments in all states

except for Delaware. All states have bicameral legislatures

except for Nebraska. Each state must accept the validity of all

other state laws and contracts (Full faith and Credit).

Extradition: Governor orders a suspect to be returned to the state where the crime was committed.

Executive Branch Led by a governor. In most states a person must be 30 years old,

US citizen, and a resident of the state for five years.

Serve a four year term. Recall: An election where voters can remove

state officials. Lieutenant Governor: Takes over for the

governor and is head of the state senate.

Powers of the Governor Chief Executive, Chief Legislator, Judicial

Leader, Commander in Chief, Party leader, Ceremonial leader.

As judicial leader a governor can: Commute: Reduce a sentence. Parole: Early release from prison. Can offer pardons and reprieves.

Executive Officials Most officials are elected by voters. There are many different departments led by a

secretary.

Legislative Branch State is divided into districts. Reynolds vs. Sims (1964): All election

districts must be equal in population. “Each person one vote”.

Apportionment: Distribution of seats according to population.

Legislators must be US citizens, live in the district, and meet an age requirement. Fairly low pay.

Legislative process is the same as the national level.

Judicial Branch Misdemeanors: Minor crimes handled by

lower courts. Felonies: Serious crimes handled by higher

courts. Trial courts: Use juries. Judge decides

punishment. Appellate courts: Panel of judges.

Appellate jurisdiction. State Supreme Court: Highest level. Plea Bargain: Defendant pleads guilty for a

reduced sentence.

County Government Local governments are established by state

governments. Charter: Plan that explains the power of a local

government. All counties provide services for their citizens. County board has legislative powers. Ordinance: Law passed by a county board. Provide law enforcement, set up hospitals, improve

transportation, and set up public libraries. Collect revenue through property tax and sales

tax. Have executive power to enforce laws (Inspectors).

County Officials Sheriff: Law enforcement. Keeps peace and

manages the jail. District attorney: Investigates crime and

prosecutes in court. Coroner: Establishes the cause of death. County clerk: Keeps official records. Assessor: Determines the value of property for

tax purposes.

Town Governments Some counties are divided into towns. In the northeast, town government is more

important than county. Town govt. began in New England as a form

of direct democracy. Other northern states divided into smaller

units called townships. In the Midwest, townships were established

during expansion by Congress.

Village Government Smallest unit of local government. A group must get permission from the state. Villages have a board and an executive elected

by the voters.

Special Districts Provides a solution for a single issue or

provide a service. An elected board runs the district. User fees: Rates paid for services.

City Government Must get a charter from the state government. Home rule: Allows cities to write their own

charters. Crime, medical problems, drug abuse, and

homelessness are problems. Ward: Voting district in a city.

Mayor-Council Government Separate legislative (city council) and

executive (mayor) branches. There are strong and weak mayor plans.

City Council – City Manager Voters elect a city council. City manager runs the city. Appointed by the

city council.

Commission Government Began in Galveston, Texas in 1901 after a

natural disaster. Separate departments led by a commissioner.

The commission has executive and legislative powers.

Community Problems Public Policy: Decision that effect people.

They can come from lawmakers, citizens, interest groups, and the media.

Must plan for the future. Involves educated guessing.

Short term: Decisions effecting the next few years.

Long term: Decisions effecting the next fifty years.

Must have priorities and evaluate resources. Communities develop a master plan of goals.

Zoning A zoning board decides what land will be used

for. Different zones for residential, business, and

public land. Provides a map for the community.

Financing Taxes: Sales, property and income. User fees: Fares paid for the use of services. Bond: Borrow the money and pay it back later.

Education and Housing Education is the most expensive service

provided by state and local governments. Magnet school: Students focus on a

particular field of study. Vouchers: Help parents send children to

private schools. Urban renewal: Re-building old

neighborhoods. The government provides low income

housing.

Shortages and Pollution Many places have shortages on power and

water. Conservation: Using less of our resources. Disposing of garbage is a problem (landfills). Recycling: Using old materials to produce new

ones.

Federalism National government shares power with

the states. This gives Americans freedom to provide

for their own needs. The main reason is sectional differences. Types of Power:

Enumerated: Powers given to the national government. Can be expressed or implied (Elastic clause).

Reserved: Powers given to the state governments.

Concurrent: Powers shared between national and state.

Federal Aid to the States Spending is roughly related to population of

the state (from census numbers) Additional demographic questions to find out

where children are located (education), minorities (grants for minorities), and population density (highways)

New Federalism Recently shift of some programs/authority for

decision-making on the implementation of the programs back to the state and local governments.

Started with President Nixon and continued with President Reagan

Types of Aid Categorical Grants – funds for some

specific closely defined purpose. Like money for school lunches Usually have strings attached

Block Grants – funds for much more broadly defined purposes Fewer strings attached, more freedom for

state/local to decide how to spend money Project Grants – funds for specific

organizations or governmental bodies For research, job training programs, etc.

Fiscal Federalism Most interactions between national and state

government involve monetary considerations Fiscal Federalism Carrot and Stick Approach Unfunded Mandates Coercive Federalism

South Dakota v. Dole

Understanding Federalism Advantages for Democracy

Increases access to government Local problems can be solved locally Hard for political parties or interest groups to dominate all politics

Disadvantages for Democracy States have different

levels of service Local interest can

counteract national interests

Too many levels of government and too much money

Understanding Federalism cont. Federalism and the Scope of Government What should the scope of national government

be relative to the states? National power increased with

industrialization, expansion of individual rights, and social services

Most problems require resources afforded to the national, not state governments

Summary of Federalism Federalism is a governmental system in

which power is shared between central government and the 50 state governments.

The US has moved from dual to cooperative federalism; fiscal federalism to new federalism.

Federalism leads to both advantages and disadvantages to democracy.

Most interactions today have a monetary component.

There are still struggles and conflicts over power sharing in this relationship.