1. Georgia State Government CRCT Prep Book CH 12
Georgia’s Constitution, Executive & Judicial Branch, County & City Government, Spending & Revenue

2. Georgia State Constitution
Georgia’s Highest Body of Laws.
Georgia’s First Constitution was in 1777.
Has been rewritten 10 times.
Most recent 1983.

3. 4 Principles of GA Constitution
Limited Government: Government has limited power
Popular Sovereignty: The power of the government rests on the will of the people.
Separation of Powers: Each branch of government has their own job.
Checks and Balances: Each branch of government has a “check” on the other branches.

4. Separation of Powers
The framers wanted to strengthen the government but prevent the concentration of power in the hands of a small group.
Created 3 Branches
Legislative- Makes Laws
Executive- Enforces Laws
Judicial- Interprets the Laws and makes judgments in legal disputes.

5. Checks and Balances
One branch has the ability to prevent the other branch from becoming to powerful.
Example: The executive branch can veto a bill from the legislative branch.

7. Preamble of the GA Constitution
Explains why the document was written.

8. Reasons for the Constitution
To Perpetuate the principles of free government
Insure justice for all
Preserve Peace
Promote the interest and happiness of the citizens and of the family
Transmit to posterity the enjoyment of liberty

9. Articles of the Constitution
11 Total Articles
They address the different branches of government & duties of the government.
Article I is the GA Bill of Rights.
Article X tells how the Constitution can be changed or amended.

10. Two Ways to Change the GA Constitution
First: through proposals by the General Assembly
A lawmaker must introduce the amendment.
2/3 of lawmakers must approve it.
Voters have to vote to ratify the amendment.
Second: Constitutional Convention
Delegates to the convention will meet to discuss and vote on possible changes to the constitution.
Voters have to vote to ratify the amendment.

11. Pledge of Allegiance - GA State flag:
"I pledge allegiance to the Georgia flag and to the principles for which it stands: Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation."
Pledge of Allegiance - GA State flag:
Approved March 28, 1935.

12. The Legislative Branch
Made up by the General Assembly.
2 Houses – Senate and House of Representatives.
236 Members
General Assembly members meet for a 40 day session beginning on the second Monday in January.
2 year term in office

13. The Legislative Branch
Responsible for making laws for the state of Georgia.
Responsible for appropriating funds for the State to spend.
Leadership:
-- Speaker of the House
(Majority party)
-- President of Senate (Lt. Gov.)

14. The Legislative Branch
Committee System in the General Assembly
A Standing committee is a group of legislators organized by subject area that continues from session to session. Each committee is organized into two or more subcommittees to allow greater specialization of expertise.

15. The Legislative Process – How a Bill Becomes a Law
Bill is introduced
Committee recommends Bill
The Bill Goes to the Entire House to Vote
The Bill Goes to the Senate
Bill Goes to the Governor

16. The Executive Governor: Nathan Deal Lieutenant Governor: Casey Cagle
Qualifications:
US Citizen for 15 years
GA Citizen for 6 years
30 Years Old
Term In Office:
4 Years
Elected In:
November General Election
Takes Office In:
January
Governor: Nathan Deal
Lieutenant Governor: Casey Cagle

17. Formal Powers of the Governor
Managing the state’s budget.
Direct the Attorney General to represent the state in legal matters.
‘State of the State’ address.
Prepare budget bills for the House of Reps.
Commander in Chief of GA National Guard.
Heading states civil defense units.

18. Informal Powers of the Governor
Communicating their position on key issues.
Honorary head of the party that got him elected.
Honor individuals, add new state symbols.
Represent GA domestically and internationally
Bring business to GA

19. Executive Branch
There are other elected officials in the Executive Branch:
State Attorney General
Commissioner of Agriculture
Commissioner of Labor
Commissioner of Insurance
Secretary of State
State School Superintendant

20. The Executive Branch - Agencies
Government Agency: A unit of government such as a department, board, commission or office. They are a part of the executive branch. All executive branch activities fit into seven major policy categories: Education, Human Services, Public Safety, Transportation, General Government, Economic Development, and Natural Resources.

21. Judicial Branch
Courts of Georgia

22. Supreme Court 7 Justices 1 Court
Court of Appeals 12 Judges Court
Superior Court Courts (49 circuits)
State Court Courts
Juvenile Court Courts
Probate Court Courts
Magistrate Court Courts
Municipal “City” Court- approximately 400 Courts

23. Supreme Court Appellate Court Appellate jurisdiction
Exclusive in cases involving constitutional issues, contested elections, capital felonies, titles to land, wills, and divorces.
Appellate jurisdiction in cases not reserved to the Supreme Court.

24. Superior Court State Court 70 Courts General jurisdiction
Trial Courts
159 Courts (49 circuits)
State Court
70 Courts
General jurisdiction
Exclusive in cases of felonies, divorces, titles to land. Appellate jurisdiction: over probate, magistrate, and municipal courts.
Limited jurisdiction
Misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and most civil cases.

25. Municipal “City” Court approximately 400 Courts
Magistrate Court
159 Courts
Municipal “City” Court approximately 400 Courts
Limited Jurisdiction:
Criminal: pretrial proceedings, warrants, and bail.
County ordinance, traffic, and bad check violations.
Civil Claims under $5,000.
Limited jurisdiction
Traffic violations, ordinance violations, and criminal preliminaries (such as warrants).

26. Local Governments – Three Types
Counties Cities Special Districts

27. County Government
A County Seat is the center of a county’s government.
Canton is Cherokee County’s central seat of government.
The governing body of a county is its county commission, whose members are elected by the county voters.
County commissioners can pass ordinances (law about property & affairs) and resolutions (informal statement on the commission's opinion).

28. Services Counties provide
Fire Protection
Police Protection
Sewer System
Parks & Recreation Facilities
Public Health Facilities
Public Transportation

29. City Government Weak Mayor Council Strong Mayor Council
Council Manager
Mayor recommends ordinances and appoints department heads with council approval. Council decides on policies and makes laws.
Mayor has strong executive power, an administrative assistant, can veto council legislation, etc. Council has limits on their power.
Mayor can preside over council meetings, but has no administrative power. Council decides on laws and policy. City Manager appointed to run admin items.

30. Special Districts Hospitals Public Transportation
A unit set up by the legislature or by a city or county ordinance for a special purpose.
Hospitals
Grady Hospital
Public Transportation
MARTA – CCT
Industrial Development
To advertise to get business to come to the community.

31. The Big 8 Local Government Services
Public Safety
Police, Firefighters, Inspectors, etc.
Public Works
Roads, streets, water & sewer lines, storm drainage
Public Utilities
Waterworks, sewage treatment plants, electric companies
Community Development
Divide the community into zones. Each zone has a designated use – residential, commercial, industrial, or agricultural.
Human Services
Hearing & Eye tests. Spraying for mosquitoes, and community immunization
Leisure Services
Parks & Recreation facilities.
Judicial Services
Running all county courts and the sheriff’s department
Record Keeping
Keeps internal records for the county. Land lots, births, death, marriages, taxes on real and personal property.

32. How Does the government get money?
Expenditure is the amount of money the government spends on something.
Revenue is money that the government gets to pay for expenditures.

33. Local Government Revenue
Taxes
Property Taxes
Real & Personal Property
Revenue
Alcohol tax, Hotel tax
Tax on Insurance
Services
Public Safety, Public Works, Public Utilities, Community Development, Human Services, Leisure Services, Judicial Services, Record Keeping.

34. County & City Revenue
The COUNTY gets the most revenue from Property Taxes.
The COUNTY gets the least revenue from licenses and permits.
The CITY gets the most revenue from Public Utilities.
The CITY gets the least revenue from licenses and permits.

35. How Does the State government get money?
Other Taxes
Fuel Tax
Income Tax
Sales Tax