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Virginia Local Governments. Continued. Local Lawmaking. An elected (county) board of supervisors or (city/town) council is the local legislative body and is responsible for passing laws for the locality. Local laws are called ordinances. Ordinances.
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Virginia Local Governments Continued
Local Lawmaking • An elected (county) board of supervisors or (city/town) council is the local legislative body and is responsible for passing laws for the locality. • Local laws are called ordinances
Ordinances • Counties, towns, and cities adopt and enforce ordinances to provide services for their residents • Examples: • Schools • Street cleaning • Trash pickup • Police, Fire, and Medical • Water and Sewage • Recreation
International Events and the Local Government • International issues and events that would require policy decisions by local government officials could include: • Public health concerns in the event of a disease pandemic • Public safety in the event of an act of terrorism • Economic development policies in response to the emerging global economy • Policies to protect the environment
Relationships • What is the relationship between the state government and local governments in Virginia? • All powers of local governments in Virginia are given to them by the Constitution of Virginia and acts of the General Assembly • Not all counties, towns, and cities are given the same powers. • Cities have acharterwhich lists its powers
Citizen Involvement • Individuals can have the greatest influence on the decisions made by local government officials • Is it easier to talk to the town mayor, the state governor, or the president of the United States?