1. How do state and local governments work in New York?
LESSON 9

2. What is Local Government?
Lowest level of government in each state
Responsible for the day-to-day running of a ward, district, county or city
Local authorities are usually elected
Responsibilities often include
the provision of public transportation
public recreational facilities
the monitoring and enforcing of many environmental regulations
raising/lowering taxes (especially property taxes)

3. Purposes of Local Government
EDUCATION – school districts are a form of local government with elected boards
FIRE PROTECTION – Fire departments are typically operated by local governments
LAW ENFORCEMENT – police departments serve the people
HEALTH – local health departments oversee immunization & disease control
RECORDS – keepers of deeds, marriage licenses, motor vehicle/boating licensing
SANITATION – provide trash and snow removal, water & sewer services; road & park maintenance

4. How do state and local governments fit into the federal system?
SIMILARITIES IN LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT
Democratic form
Popular, competitive elections
Staffed by both appointed and elected officials
Separation of powers
Written constitutions
Bicameral legislatures (except Nebraska)
Revenue through taxation
Court systems

5. How do state and local governments fit into the federal system?
DIFFERENCES FOUND IN STATE AND LOCAL SYSTEMS
People vote for officials and on major issues (ex: budgets)
Direct election for executive branch officials  indirect election for President/Vice President on federal level
Party leaders have great influence over key legislative positions
Direct election for judges

6. Dean Skelos & Jeff Klein
Who are the key leaders in our state and local governments? Look up the answers:
GOVERNOR
Andrew Cuomo
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Bob Duffy
ATTORNEY GENERAL
Eric Schneiderman
COMPTROLLER
Thomas DiNapoli
SPEAKER OF ASSEMBLY
Sheldon Silver
SENATE MAJORITY COALITION
Dean Skelos & Jeff Klein
YOUR ASSEMBLYMAN
Tom McKevitt
YOUR STATE SENATOR
Kemp Hannon

7. New York State Governor: Andrew Cuomo

8. Town Governments Supervisor Town Board (Council Members) Town Clerk
Receiver of
Taxes

9. New York State 3 branches of government Executive Branch
Governor Cuomo
Comptroller
Attorney Geneneral

10. Who can become the Chief Executive of New York State?
GOVERNOR: The Chief Executive of a State
Must meet specific age, citizenship, and residency requirements
Most live in residences provided to them by the state or a state foundation
Chosen by popular vote
Only a plurality is needed for an election  except in Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi (50% or more)
GEORGE CLINTON
New York’s First Governor ( )
GOVERNORS HELD LITTLE POWER IN THE BEGINNING-THE ACTIONS OF THE ROYAL GOVERNORS INSPIRED MUCH OF THE RESENTMENT THAT FUELED THE REVOLUTION. THAT ATTITUDE WAS CARRIED OVER INTO THE FIRST STATE CONSTITUTIONS. THE STATE GOVERNORS USED TO BE CHOSEN BY THE LEGISLATURE AND FOR ONLY ONE YEAR.
AGE- USUALLY YEARS OF AGE. MUST LIVE IN THE STATE FOR AT LEATS FIVE YEARS.
NEW YORK STATE REQUIREMENTS
30 years of age
United States citizen
Resident for 5 years preceding election

11. Who can become the Chief Executive of their state?
GOVERNOR’S ADMINISTRATION: Consists of several other elected officials
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR: Bob Duffy
ATTORNEY GENERAL: Eric Schneiderman
COMPTROLLER: Thomas DiNapoli
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR EXISTS IN 44 STATES AND IS FILLED BY VOTERS AZ, ME, NH, NJ, OR, WY THE OFFICES DOES NOT EXIST.
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IS THAT DEMANDING OF A JOB. HE/SHE SUCCEEDS THE GOVERNORSHIP IF A VACANCY OCCURS, AND PRESIDES OVER THE SENATE INHALF THE STATES.
SECRETARY OF STATE- OFFICE EXISTS EVERYWHERE BUT ALASKA HAWAII, AND UTAH. SERVES AS THE STATE CHIEF CLERK AND RECORD KEEPER. DEALS WITH PUBLIC DOCUMENTS, RECORDS THE OFFICIAL ACTS OF THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE, AND USUALLY ADMINISTERS THE ELECTION LAWS.
SECRETARY OF STATE-
Each of these are elected positions

12. What does the Governor do, anyway?
POWERS OF THE GOVERNOR
Issue executive orders
Make appointments to other state offices
Prepare the state budget
Veto legislation and exercise item veto over particular items in bills
Command the state national guard
Grant pardons or reduce a criminal’s jail sentence
Help establish the legislature’s agenda
STATE CONSTITUTIONS SO DIVIDE THE EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY THAT THE GOVERNOR CAN BEST BE DESCRIBED AS “FIRST AMONG EQUALS”
JUST LIKE OUR FEDERAL GOV’T THE STATE SENATE MUST APPROVE ALL APPOINTMENTS THE GOVERNOR MAKES. MOST STATES ALSO REQUIRE THAT THE PERSON BEING NOMINATED ALSO BE QUALIFIED TO DO THE JOB I.E. REALTOR TO WORK THE REAL ESTATE BOARD.
THE LEGISLATURE MAY MAKE CHANGES TO THE BUDGETSTILL THE GOVERNORS BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS CARRY A GREAT DEAL OF WEIGHT.
THE GOVERNOR MAY VETO ONE OR MORE ITEMS IN A BILL WITHOUT REJECTING THE ENTIRE MEASURE USUALLY IT IS RESTRICTED TO APPORTION BILLS.
IN ORDER TO OVERRIDE THE GOVERNORS VETO THERE MUST BE 2/3 OF THE FULL MEMBERSHIP IN EACH HOUSE. LESS THAN 5 PERCENT OF ALL MEASURES PASSED BY THE LEGISLATURES ARE REJCTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
MILITARY POWERS- THE NATIONAL GUARD IS THE ORGANIZED PART OF THE STATE MILITIA IN A STATE OF EMERGENCY THE NATIONAL GUARD MAYBE CALLED UP AND ORDERED INTO FEDERAL SERVICE BY THE PRESIDENT.
THE GUARD IS SOMETIMES CALLED IN FOR PRISON RIOTS, FOREST FIRES, AID IN RELIEF AND EVACUATION
PARDONS-A PARDON MAY BE FULL OR CONDITIONAL AND IT CAN BE GRANTED ONLY AFTER A CONVICTION
POWERS OF COMMUTATION, A GOVERNOR MAY REDUCE THE SENTENCE IMPOSED BY A COURT THUS A DEATH SENTENCE MAY BE COMMUTED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT.
THE PROGRAM IS GIVEN TO THE LAWMAKERS AT THE ANNUAL STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS. GOVERNORS GET THEIR “MESSAGE ACROSS BY SOMETIMES APPEALING TO THE PEOPLE OR USING OTHE RINFORMAL TACTICS.

13. New York’s Legislature
NYS SENATE: “Upper House”
62 Legislative Districts
2-year terms
25-years-old minimum
Legislative Branch
New York State Senate
  Senator Kemp Hannon - District 6
New York State Assembly
Tom McKevitt - 17th District
New York State Congressional Delegation
Pete King, 3rd District
NYS ASSEMBLY: “Lower House”
150 Legislative Districts
2-year terms
21-years-old minimum

14. Judicial Branch
New York State Unified Court System
Court of Appeals