Government in Ohio

1. Government in Ohio

2. Federalism?

3. Federalism - Review • Political Power in the US is shared by Federal & State Government • Shaped by • The Constitution • Expressed & Reserved Powers • Article IV  States’ Powers • 10thAmendment

4. Questions How is state government set up similarly to the national government in Ohio? How does local government impact your life?

5. Northwest Ordinance • Ohio was created from the Northwest Territory. • The NW Ordinance was passed by Congress in 1787 seeking to form 3-5 new states for the Union. • Whenever each new territory had 60,000 “free inhabitants” it could apply for statehood. • The NW Ordinance provided each territory many of the same freedoms of the Constitution (i.e. – free worship, right to habeas corpus, trial by jury, right to bail). • Outlawed slavery in all new territories of NW Ordinance.

7. Ohio’s Constitution “We, the people of the State of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and promote our general welfare, do establish this Constitution.” - Preamble to the Ohio Constitution (1851)

8. Ohio’s State Constitution Approved by the voters in 1851 - Supreme law of the state Created three branches of government Rights of the individual – listed in Article I of the Ohio Constitution...known as the Ohio Bill of Rights (similar to the federal bill of rights) Other articles - Powers of the three branches, elections, education, public institutions, public debt, public works, and many other topics

9. Amending the Ohio Constitution Proposed by a member of either house of the General Assembly – 3/5 of each house must agree, then it is sent to the voters Initiative: Laws proposed by the people Referendum: People vote to repeal proposed or current laws and amendments IN ALL CASES: PROPOSALS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE VOTERS AND APPROVED BY A MAJORITY

10. The Lawmaking Process in Ohio • Ohio Legislative Branch is the General Assembly; made up of House of Reps and Senate • Budget: Most spending in Ohio goes to public assistance, Medicare and education • Full Faith and Credit – Constitutional provision that says that each state must recognize and respect the laws and judgments of other states. • i.e. A legal marriage in Ohio would also be recognized in North Carolina • Supremacy Clause?

11. Constitutional Convention The Ohio General Assembly must ask the voters if they would like to hold a constitutional convention every 20 years. The purpose of this convention is to revise the current constitution.

12. The Judiciary The Ohio Constitution establishes three courts The Ohio Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, and the Court of Common Pleas Judges in Ohio are elected by the voters

13. The Supreme Court Chief Justice and six justices Concerned with cases that present a substantial constitutional question Appeals of cases that originated in the court of appeals, cases involving the death penalty, cases involving questions on the Ohio or US Constitution Justices serve six year terms

14. The Executive Branch Six elected officials: governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, sec. of state, auditor, treasurer 4 year terms – limited to 2 consecutive terms Unlike Pres of USA Governor can use line-item veto Responsibilities - Make sure all laws are faithfully executed, report the condition of the state to the legislature, make recommendations to the Assembly, submit a budget

15. Local Government Home Rule - The Ohio Constitution grants local governments the power to govern themselves within certain limits Home rule includes the power of self government which would include police powers, caring for streets, establishing libraries, and other local functions Local governments often work closely together to address common issues (i.e. joint drug task forces)

16. Local Government Local Government A) County B) Townships C) Cities

17. Questions How is state government set up similarly to the national government in Ohio? How does local government impact your life?