State and Local Government

1. State and Local Government Branches Definitions and Examples

2. State Government • What is a State? - a politically organized body of people under a single government - Has space or territory which has internationally recognized boundaries - Has people who live there on an ongoing basis. - Has economic activity and an organized economy. - Has the power of social engineering, such as education. -Has a transportation system for moving goods and people. -Has a government which provides public services and police power. -Has external recognition.

3. Local Governments • There are four general types of municipalities in Pennsylvania: • counties, cities, boroughs and townships. • As of 2001 there are in Pennsylvania: • 67 counties, 56 cities, 964 boroughs, 1 incorporated town, 1,548 townships • 501 school districts and 2,198 authorities (active and inactive). • The number of local units has remained fairly stable for the past few decades

4. What are they? • County: - a local level of government below the state or - a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local government - administers laws, maintains jails, roads, schools and collects taxes - usually have a governing body or the county board, appointed bureaucrats or commissioners - legislative and executive decision making bodies of counties, a government administrator - term comes from the United Kingdom

5. What are they • City: - a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts or: - an urban area with a high population density - an incorporated administrative district established by state charter - City councils, council members - body serving administrative capacity or a committee that leads or governs

6. Borough: - one of the administrative divisions of a large city - Manhattan is a borough - Hummelstown -A borough is a self-governing municipal entity that is smaller than a city, usually a small town -The only exception to this is the town of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania which is recognized by state government publications as the "only" incorporated town. -municipalities become self-governing entities under the laws of the state or province in which they are located

7. Town: • An urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city • an administrative division of a county • A town is a municipal corporation and encompasses all territory within the state except that within cities or Indian reservations. Towns can be subdivided into villages. • A place with 2,000 or more inhabitants that has not been incorporated as a city • Middletown is the oldest established town in Dauphin County.

8. Township: - A geographic or municipal division of a county or district - describe political subdivisions has varied by country, usually to describe a local rural or semi-rural government within the county itself. - Township describes a very small community, usually describing a local rural or semi-rural government within a county.

9. Townships continued Derry Township • “The Board of Supervisors is the Township's local governmental decision-making body. • The Board is comprised of five members elected to serve six year staggered terms. The Board appoints a Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Secretary. • As the governing body, the Board is responsible for maintaining a fiscally sound, healthy, safe community for the residents of the Township • Through executing legislation, creating policies, levying taxes, authorizing expenditures, and overseeing the management of the township.”

10. School District: - A public and quasi-municipal corporation, organized by legislative authority comprising a defined territory, for the erection, maintenance, government and support of the public schools within its territory - a form of special-purpose district which serves to operate the local public primary and secondary schools, They must be able to set their own budget - They often are empowered to tax residents of the district, usually by a property tax but sometimes an excise or sales tax, for the services that they provide. They often cross the lines of towns, villages, cities or counties

11. Authority: - The administrative body that governs local services such as education, housing and social services. - An umbrella term that could refer to any unitary authority or county, metropolitan or district council. - an agency or an administrative unit of government - Tennessee Valley Authority - Housing Authority - Harrisburg Authority

12. What is Hershey? • Hershey is not a city, town or village. • Only its post office carries the official designation “Hershey” • A postal zone "City and Town" is an administrative district established by the U.S. Postal Service to deliver the mail. Postal zone "City" and "Town" may or may not conform to municipal or community borders. Thus, postal zone location does not always determine city, village or hamlet location.

13. Who’s in charge? • State: • Governor - the head of a state government, chief official at the executive level • Local : • Mayor- the head of city government, title used in many countries for the highest ranking officer in a municipal government

14. How do they get their jobs? • Counties have the largest number of elected officials. - 3 county commissioners - sheriff - coroner - controller or 3 auditors - treasurer - district attorney - prothonotary - clerk of courts - recorder of deeds - register of wills - two jury commissioners

15. What about other local government? • In cities, boroughs, and townships electors vote for: - a mayor ( except in townships) - district justices - members of council - commissioners or supervisors - tax collectors - tax assessors - treasures - auditors or controllers - constables • The exact number and combination varies between classes of local government and population

16. How about school districts? • They have nine directors that are elected state wide - Philadelphia they are appointed by the mayor. • Lower Dauphin - “our Board of Directors is made up of formal leaders (elected and appointed officials as well as business and civic leaders) and informal leaders (movers and shakers who are well-known)” - chairman, vice chairman, secretary, treasurer

17. Powers State Local • Consider matters brought forth by the governor • Introduce legislation that becomes law • Approves a state's budget and initiates tax legislation and articles of impeachment • Implement Taxes, spending, borrowing, • Define crimes and punishments • Protects public health, safety, morals and general welfare • Parks and recreation services • Police and fire departments • Housing services, • Emergency medical services, municipal courts, • Transportation services (including public transportation), • Public works (streets, sewers, snow removal, signage) • Local government must be granted power by the state.