How the National Government shapes our State & Local Government

1. How the National Government shapes our State & Local Government

2. There are 3 branches of Government Over 200 years ago, our Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution. The Constitution is a basic design for how our government should work. The Constitution divides the government into the following three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

3. The 3 Branches of the National Government

4. Does this impact our State Government? • Each state has its own constitution based on its unique history, needs, philosophy, and geography. • Just like that of the national government, each state's constitution separates power between three branches -- legislative, judicial, and executive.

5. Pennsylvania Constitution • 1776: The framework for the US Constitution • 1874: After the Civil War the most recent one was drafted • WHY DO YOU THINK A NEW CONSTITUTION HAD TO BE MADE AFTER THE CIVIL WAR?

6. Pennsylvania • Know as the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania • Commonwealth = State • An English term referring to the welfare of its citizens • The colony of William Penn = Quaker Commonwealth and the framers of the PA Constitution/those who created it kept the term

7. Why is Pennsylvania known as the “Keystone State?” • History: During the American Rev(early 1800s) the term Keystone was used to describe PA’s central location along the Atlantic • Modern Use: Now referred to as the Keystone State because it is important to the growth of the United States.

8. Pennsylvania’s capital • 1643: Tinicum Island in the Delaware River • 1682: William Penn convened the first General Assembly in Chester • 1683: Philadelphia • 1799: Lancaster until Harrisburg became the official capital in 1812

9. How can the location of the state capital be changed?? • By the voters in a general election

10. What are the responsibilities of each branch of Government?

11. National Government:The Legislative Branch • The legislative branch makes laws for the nation. • The main lawmaking body of this branch is known as Congress. • Congress is made up of two parts, the House of Representatives • and the Senate.

12. Pennsylvania’s Government:The Legislative Branch • Headed by the General Assembly, which makes state laws. The General Assembly is made up of two parts. • Currently, 203 State Representatives • Currently, 50 State Senators

13. State Legislatures • JOB: Make state laws that affect your everyday life. • STRUCTURE: Most are bicameral • Upper House = Senate • Lower House = House of Representatives • MEETINGS: Most hold annual sessions that last between 20 days to 6 months.

14. How many? • Seats in legislature are apportioned = divided among districts. • Districts are redrawn every 10yrs, based on the census so that each district has roughly the same population

15. What it used to be • Seats used to be apportioned based on location. • One legislator may represent a rural district with 300 people while another may represent a large city. • Why do you think this changed?

16. Citizens can participate in law-making through Initiatives, Referendums, and/or Recalls • Initiative:The process by which citizens can propose laws. • Gather signatures, 5-10% of the registered voters, on a petition. • Proposed law is put to a vote in a statewide election. • If majority of voters approve it, it passes!

17. PA WILDLIFE INITIATIVEhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxX3ppxMt6k • Their goal: to brand the Pennsylvania Wilds region as a distinct entity and world class destination for outdoor recreation experiences, thus attracting tourists, creating jobs, and sustaining communities. • If it becomes a law: Specific locations where wildlife will be preserved will be identified as tourist attractions to boost the economy

18. Citizens can participate in law-making through Initiatives, Referendums, and/or Recalls • Referendum: the process by which a law is referred to the voters to approve or reject. • Most states require this if an amendment is proposed.

19. Citizens can participate in law-making through Initiatives, Referendums, and/or Recalls • Recall: A process for removing elected officials from office. (Some states offer this) • If citizens believe official is not doing their job they can gather voters’ signatures on a petition and a recall election follows. • If majority agrees with it then official must leave office.

20. Watch the recall of California Governor Davis in 2003 (7min) • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pt7O-yyzFJs • Take notes on video in space provided!

21. Our National Government:The Executive Branch • The executive branch makes sure people follow the laws that • the legislative branch makes. • The leaders of this branch are the President and Vice-President. • When making important decisions, the President often asks for • advice from the Cabinet. • The President lives at the White House in Washington, D.C.

22. National vs. PA Government:The Executive Branch • Pennsylvania’s Executive Branch is headed by the Governor, who carries out and enforces laws made by the General Assembly. PresidentObama GovernorJoe Corbett Vice PresidentJoe Biden Lt. Governor Jim Cawley

23. PA Government:The Executive Branch Officials Attorney General Dan McCaffery Auditor Jack Wagner Treasurer Rob McCord

24. National Government:The Judicial Branch • When people are unsure about the meaning of a law, the • judicial branch listens to many opinions and makes a decision. • The judicial branch is made up of courts. • The highest of these courts is the U.S. Supreme Court. • Hear cases that deal with the constitutionality of the law

25. Power to review any case from the lower courts. Has authority over the entire Pennsylvania court system hears government- related matters civil and criminal cases and disputes involving family and estate matters cases involving small claims, minor crimes and traffic offenses are heard

26. PA Government:The Judicial Branch • Headed by the PA Supreme Court, which interprets and applies the state laws. The Supreme Court is made up of Six Justices and One Chief Justice. Standing L-R: Justice McCaffery, Justice Baer, Justice Todd, Justice Orie Melvin Seated L-R: Justice Saylor, Chief Justice Castille, Justice Eakin

27. How do states get money? 1. Taxes:States raise more than 50% of their revenue (income) from taxes. 2 types of taxes 1) Sales Tax = charges made on purchases of goods and services. 2) Income Tax = a tax on the earnings of individuals and businesses (a percentage of money a person or business makes)

28. The benefits of taxes • How do taxes help us? • Working adults • Business owners • Retired people • Students • Medical care, after-school programs, road maintenance

29. How do states get money? 2. Bonds and Lotteries • Bonds = certificates that people buy from the government. It’s like giving the gov a loan. • The government agrees to pay back cost of bond plus interest after a set period of time. • Lottery: 60% of the lottery ticket goes to the prize. 40% goes to the state

30. How do states get money? 3. Federal Funds = Are typically grants = Money given for a specific or general purpose to the state.

31. Turn to page 302 in Civics book • LOOK AT PIE CHART • What do you see? (write down at least 3 things)

32. Name that System! • Clue 1: Since the Framers of our Constitution were torn between giving the national government more power verses giving the states more power, they created a system. • What was this system called?_______________ • Clue 2: Divides power between the state and national gov while also allowing them to share some powers.

33. Ding Ding Ding!

34. Pop Quiz! • True or False: The Constitution specifically lists all powers of the states. • FALSE! • Which amendment gives states powers not given to the national government nor denied to the states? • Tenth Amendment

35. Debate/Argument • What are advantages to having a government with more federal power? • What are advantages to having a government with more state power?

36. State gov power vs National gov power Advantages of state power Advantages of National power Ensure equality among the states and address problems too large for individual states to handle effectively. • Serve their people better by addressing the particular needs of their citizens • Can fit programs more closely to local needs

37. Read the following: • Linda Chavez is the president of the Center for Equal Opportunity in Washington, D.C. In this excerpt, she maintains that more power to the states helps keep power closer to the citizens of this country. “Whenever the federal government gives money to the states or to local governments or agencies, certain obligations or rules follow. … But many … functions that the federal government performs, and taxes citizens to pay for, would be better decided on and funded at the local or state level, where people can keep track of what is being done and how much it costs.” • Why does Chavez feel that the states should be responsible for certain functions performed by the federal government?

38. Answer to primary source • Chavez says that the programs can be monitored more closely at the local or state level.

39. Local Government National government and state government are two types of government, but there is also local governments.

40. Local Governments • Created and given powers by the states • Purpose: Help meet the needs of communities • Services include: education, health and welfare, and public safety • Provide: Utilities = services needed by public like water, gas, electricity.

41. Pottstown Borough • In 1944, the Council-Manager form of government was adopted; administrative responsibility for the operation of the Borough was given to a professional Manager. • Council chosen through election • No candidate could have political ties • Council makes ordinances and hires city-manager to handle day-to-day business • The manager, not mayor, is in charge of budget and people who work for the city • Jason Bobst-manager • Bonnie Heath - Mayor

42. The City of Philadelphia • Mayor-Council Plan • Relationship between Mayor and Council is like the relationship between President and Congress • Mayor is elected by voter • is currently Mayor Nutter • Council introduces ordinances and mayor signs or vetoes • Mayor is in charge of budget, makes policies, and chooses city officials.

43. Political cartoon (in book)

44. What role does the Federal, State, and Local governments play on the following: (pg. 328-329) • Education • Health and Welfare • Public Safety

45. Education • Local Governments: • Provide public education for all grades • Local school boards build schools, hire teachers, and have strong say in courses • (See issues in Law book p.6 for exit-exams) • State gov: • Say in how they are run because pay 1/3 of their cost • Make sure state standards are met • Children have equal opportunity • Federal gov: • Helps pay for buildings, school lunch programs • Programs for children with special needs

46. Health and Welfare • Local gov: • Offer health and childcare to families who need extra assistance • Train people for new careers • Provide low-cost places to live • Local officials make sure state and Federal health laws are met • State and Federal gov: • Help pay for public assistance or welfare programs • State and Federal health laws • State and Federal laws to control pollution

47. Public Safety • Local Gov: • Police force • Fire Department • Ensures safety codes are met • State Gov: • Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency • Pennsylvania State Police • Federal Gov: • Department of homeland Security and Safety