Unit 7 State and Local Government with Comparative Politics Unit Objectives ;

Unit 7 State and Local Government with Comparative Politics Unit Objectives; 31D-evaluate direct democracy by the initiative and referendum process. 31E- demonstrate knowledge of the organizations of the 3 branches of state and local government

31F- identify current state and local government officials. 31G- examine the powers of state and local governments, their sources of revenue, the services they provide, and the relationship between state and local governments.

31D- evaluate direct democracy by the initiative and referendum process. Direct Democracy- when people vote to make decisions directly instead of having a representative vote for them. A. Initiative– in 17 states voters can propose constitutional amendments through the initiative process.

In 24 states voters can use the initiative to propose ordinary statutes. Two types of initiatives; Direct Initiative – proposal goes directly to the voters in a general election. Indirect Initiative – proposal goes to legislature first. If it is not approved by legislature, it can go directly to voters.

B.Referendum – process where a legislative measure is referred directly to the State’s voters for final approval or rejection. 3 Types; Mandatory Referendum – requires that a measure be taken directly to the voters for FINAL approval or rejection. In each state but Delaware, proposed constitutional amendments must be submitted to voters.

Referendums are usually mandatory when they involve borrowing money by government. Ex; Bond Referendums, Constitutional Amendments 2. Optional Referendums – when the State Legislatures allow the voters to vote voluntarily. Very rare and usually involve “hot potato” issues because lawmakers do not want to take the responsibility of handling the issue. Ex; Property Tax Hikes, landfills, airports

3. Popular Referendum – when voters demand an issue be brought to them, via a petition, for a vote. Ex; Alcohol sales, Sunday liquor sales, liquor by the drink, lottery, paramutual gambling, casinos, dog racing, horse racing, etc….

31E- demonstrate knowledge of the organizations of the 3 branches of state and local government • Georgia; • Governor – Sonny Perdue • Lt. Governor- Casey Cagle • Attorney General – Thurbert E. Baker

Commissioner of Agriculture – Tommy Irvin • Commissioner of Labor – Michael Thurmond • Insurance Commissioner – John Oxendine • Public Service Commissioners – Stan Wise, Bobby Baker, Chuck Eaton, Doug Everett, Angela Speir

Secretary of State – Karen Handel • State School Superintendent – Kathy Cox • Speaker of the Georgia House ofRepresentatives – David Ralston • President Pro Tempore of Georgia Senate - Eric Johnson

Gwinnett County has a County System with a County Commission System and Cities and Townships. • County Police, Sheriff as well as City Police Systems. • Gwinnett County has a court system as do some cities.

Cities within Gwinnett County; • Berkeley Lake • Buford • Dacula • Duluth • Grayson • Lawrenceville • Lilburn • Norcross • Snellville • Sugar Hill • Suwanee

Gwinnett County has Commission System; • Commission Chairman – Charles Bannister • Commission Members; • District 1 – Shirley Lasseter • District 2 – Bert Nasuti • District 3 – Mike Beaudreau • District 4 – Kevin Kennerly

Snellville City Government; • Mayor – Jerry Oberholtzer • Council Members; • Post 1- Kelly Kautz • Post 2 – Tod Warner • Post 3 – Tom Witts • Post 4 – Barbara Bender • Post 5 – Mike Sabbagh

Snellville City Council

Gwinnett County Board of • Education; • Louis Radloff • District V • Berkmar • Meadowcreek • Parkview

District 1; Carol Boyce • Central • Dacula • Grayson

District II • Dan Seckinger • Mill Creek • Collins Hill • North Gwinnett • Peachtree Ridge

District III • Dr. Mary K. Murphy • Duluth • Norcross

District IV • Dr. Robert McClure • Brookwood • South • Shiloh

Unit 7 State and Local Government with Comparative Politics Unit Objectives ;