THE GREAT STATE How do state governments work?

YES OR NO? Check your understanding!

Check your understanding! 1. Do state governments have anything in common with the federal government? YESNO They both have three branches of government.

Check your understanding! 2. Do all states have a bicameral legislature? YESNO Nebraska’s is unicameral, with only one house.

Check your understanding! 3. Do state lawmakers represent citizens from a certain area of the state? YESNO Those areas are called districts.

Check your understanding! 4. Can a state governor veto bills passed by the state legislature? YESNO

Check your understanding! 5. Does a state’s executive branch only include the governor? YESNO It also includes many departments.

Check your understanding! 6. Does a state’s high court handle small issues like misdemeanors? YESNO It reviews decisions from lower courts, supervises other courts, and interprets the state constitution.

Check your understanding! 7. Does each state have its own constitution? YESNO

Check your understanding! 8. Is a state’s legislature the only place or way laws can be adopted? YESNO In many states, citizens can put laws on the ballot through the initiative process.

Check your understanding! 9. Can states always afford all the services they need to provide? YESNO Often they receive money from the federal government in the form of grants.

Check your understanding! 10. Do local governments provide any services? YESNO They provide things like schools, libraries, police, water, and many others.

WORKSHEET ACTIVITIES

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That’s incorrect! 1. Unlike the federal government, state governments only have one branch of government. What’s wrong? Like the federal government, state governments have three branches of government.

That’s incorrect! 2. States are divided into districts, and citizens in each district elect a governor to be head of their district. What’s wrong? States are divided into districts, and citizens in each district elect representatives to serve in the state legislature.

That’s incorrect! 3. A state’s executive branch includes many departments that handle thousands of small issues such as misdemeanors. What’s wrong? A state’s executive branch includes many departments that carry out laws passed by the state legislature.

That’s incorrect! 4. States can afford to provide citizens with all necessary services and do not usually need any financial help. What’s wrong? States usually cannot afford to provide citizens with all necessary services and often accept grants from the federal government.

That’s incorrect! 5. Local governments are independent and have the power to do anything they want to. What’s wrong? Local governments get their power from the states and can only do what the states say they can do.

Licensed… or Not?  Architect  Cashier  Dentist  Interpreter  Veterinarian  Event Planner  Teacher  Nail Technician  Embalmer  Actor  Real Estate Agent  Exterminator  Private Investigator  Car Salesperson  Software Developer  Office Manager  Massage Therapist  Fitness Instructor  Electrician  Hair Dresser Which of these jobs usually require a state license?        

Licensed… or Not?  Architect  Cashier  Dentist  Interpreter  Veterinarian  Event Planner  Teacher  Nail Technician  Embalmer  Actor  Real Estate Agent  Exterminator  Private Investigator  Car Salesperson  Software Developer  Office Manager  Massage Therapist  Fitness Instructor  Electrician  Hair Dresser WHY do you think the state regulates these jobs?        