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Chapter 9: Local Government. Section 1: Units of Local Government Section 2: Town, Township, and Village Governments Section 3: City Government Section 4: How Governments Work Together. Section 1: Key Terms. Municipality City County. Sheriff Charter Ordinances.
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Chapter 9: Local Government • Section 1: Units of Local Government • Section 2: Town, Township, and Village Governments • Section 3: City Government • Section 4: How Governments Work Together
Section 1: Key Terms • Municipality • City • County • Sheriff • Charter • Ordinances
Establishing Local Governments • Local governments are made up of municipalities • Unit of local government that is incorporated by the state and that has a large degree of self- government • It can include a state’s cities, towns, villages, and boroughs • Ex. Municipality of Kingston
The Need for Local Governments • Local govts. provide services that make our daily life easier • Garbage pickup, snow removal, etc. • Police, fire protection • Water Conservation • A city is the largest type of municipality. • Bonus: Name the 4 cities that are in Luzerne County
County Governments • The highest level of local government is the county. • A county is a division of state govt. formed to carry out state laws, collect taxes, and supervise elections in a small area
County Govts. (cont’d) • Names vary for the head of county governments • County Board, Board of Commissioners, County Supervisors • Power to pass laws regarding health and safety, collect real estate taxes, sales tax, and personal property taxes
Luzerne County Council • Jim Bobeck • Edward Brominski • Elaine Maddon Curry • Harry Haas • Linda McClosky Houck • Eugene Kelleher • Tim McGinley • Rick Morelli • Stephen A. Urban • Stephen J. Urban • Rick Williams
County Govts. (cont’d) • County officials are elected by the people of that specific county • Sheriff is in charge of county law enforcement • Not so much in Luzerne County • Coroner • Clerk of Courts • Treasurer • Recorder of Deeds
Governments Work Together • The duties of local governments are usually outline in state-approved charters. • Charter is a basic plan for a local government unit that defines its powers, responsibilities, and organization. • The main job of the local govt. is to take care of its people. • That is why they pass ordinancesor regulations that govern a community.
Section 1: Assessment • Why can local governments provide some services more efficiently than state governments can? • In what ways do counties support state governments?
Section 2 Town, township, and village governments
Section 2: Key Terms • Town • Town Meeting • Township • Special District
Town Government • Towns first developed as New England colonists built churches and homes • A town is a unit of local government, usually larger than a village and smaller than a city. • Bonus Question: What is the only town in Pennsylvania?
Town Government (Cont’d) • Early on in New England, they created a powerful form of local govt. called the town meeting • A town meetingis where all citizens meet regularly to discuss town issues. • Meeting dates vary based on the town.
Townships, Special Districts, Villages • In states like NY, NJ, and PA, they used a special form of govt. called a township. • Townships are located in rural areas with that cover large areas of uninhabited land. • Most township governments have decreased in importance as cities have taken over many of the governmental responsibilities.
Townships, Special Districts, Villages • People in a certain area may have a special need and directly go to the state legislature and ask for a charter to set up a special district. • A unit of govt. formed to meet many different needs
Section 2: Assessment • Why did town meetings develop? • What is the role of the state in the creation of towns and boroughs? • When do rural areas become villages or boroughs?
Section 3 City Government
Section 3: Key Terms • Home Rule • City Council • Mayor • Commission
Home Rule Organization • City sizes vary for place to place • Traditionally cities received their charters form state legislatures. • However states have been granting cities an authority called home rule. • Under this, a city can write and amend its own municipal charter • Luzerne County is now under home rule.
Forms of City Government • Mayor-Council • (Weak Mayor • In a weak mayor plan, the mayor has no veto power with all the members of council. A weak mayor’s vote may act as a tie breaker. • Mayor-Council • (Strong Mayor • In the strong mayor plan, the mayor has veto power on the decisions of the council. Mayors also appoint city officials and have power of the city budget. • Commission • In the commission plan, each council member is in charge of a different city department. The mayor’s vote carries the same weight as each of the commissioners votes • Council-Manager • A city manager is appointed by city council to run the city departments. The mayor leads the city politically, and the manager directs the city’s day to day operations
Section 3: Assessment • How is a mayor-council government organized? • What are the strengths and weaknesses of the council-manager form of government?
Section 4 How governments work together
Section 4: Key Terms • Grants-in-Aid • Block Grants
Building Roads Together • In the late 1800s, NJ became the 1st state to use state funds to improve roads • It wasn’t until 1956, that President Eisenhower created the Interstate Highway System • Based off of the German Autobahn • 46,000 miles of highway • Federally funded
Federal Government Programs • Federal govt. ensures the cooperation of state and local govts. By providing funds to implement important programs • Grants-in-Aid are federal funds given to state and local govts. for specific projects. Ex. Airport construction and pollution control • Must meet certain standards • Must provide some money of their own to the project • Supervised by the Federal Government
Federal Government Programs • Block grants are funds given by the Federal govt. to state and local govts. but are given for broadly defined purposes. • State and local govts. develop and carry out the programs and determine how the money is spent • However, they must establish a spending plan and report expenditures to the federal government.
State and Local Governments • State and Local officials work together in many aspects • Education • Health and Public Safety • Banking Regulations • Licensing • Accountants, Dentists, Doctors, Engineers, Lawyers, Nurses, Teachers, and other professionals
Section 4: Assessment • Government decisions at any level must not conflict with what national document? • Although all levels of government are involved in education, which government level actually controls the schools? Why?