1. THE AMERICAN POLITICAL SYSTEM Lecture 9 STATE POLITICS

2. FORMATION AND GOALS OF STATE GOVERNMENT Federal system was set up by 13 states First form of government: Articles of Confederation Colonial governments display elements of federal govt. (separation of powers) Until 1776: colonial charter governed each colony After 1776: colonial charters are replaced with own constitutions

3. IMPACT OF ORIGINAL STATE CONSTITUTIONS Representative government Separation of powers Seven state constitutions included a bill of rights Detailed expressions of the power of government Texts longer than U.S. Constitution

4. POWERS OF STATES According to the Constitution states are forbidden to: Make treaties Coin money Pass a bill of attainder or an ex post facto law Sign agreements with other states or foreign nations Engage in war unless invaded

5. POWERS OF STATES Limiting state powers by Constitutional Amendments: States cannot Permit slavery Deprive anyone of due process Deprive anyone of the right to vote Abridge or limit the privileges and immunities THEN WHAT POWERS DO STATES HAVE?

6. CONCURRENT POWERS Tenth Amendment: Powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states. Concurrent powers: shared with the federal government: To make and enforce laws To tax To establish courts Eminent domain: to take property for public purposes in return for payment of fair market value

7. RESERVED POWERS To protect life and liberty, maintain order Police power: protect health, safety, welfare, morals of people Establish local governments Conduct elections Ratify constitutional amendments

8. CONSTITUTIONAL GUARANTEES Full faith and credit: full recognition of legal documents Privileges and immunities Extradition: returning fugitives No state can be formed without the approval of Congress Federal government can protect against domestic violence: in case of rioting, looting

9. ADMISSION OF NEW STATES Admission is authorized by Congress Northwest Ordinance: guidelines for statehood Missouri Compromise 1820 Admission of Texas 1845 leads to Mexican-American War Latest states to be admitted: Alaska, Hawai in 1959

10. OPERATIONS OF STATE GOVERNMENTS LEGISLATIVE BRANCH. Early Republic: assemblies stronger All states have bicameral legislature except Nebraska Assembly, general assembly, house of delegates Every state elects legislature by popular vote Gerrymandering, state legislatures meet less regularly Congress

11. THE OPERATIONS OF STATE GOVERNMENTS The executive branch: The governor Colonial times: appointed by the Crown, more power, by today power is shared with other elected officers Elected directly Can appoint members of the heads of executive departments, appointing judges Commander in Chief of National Guard Judicial powers: reduce sentences, give clemency

12. THE OPERATIONS OF STATE GOVERNMENTS Judicial Branch State Supreme Courts State judges are elected Court system:Local trial courts,(JP courts) general trial courts, intermediate courts of appeals, state supreme court JP (justice of the peace): handle minor offenses, misdemeanors mostly rural areas Urban areas: magistrate courts, municipal courts