Legislative Branch Notes

● Congress: A. Consists of – a bicameral legislature ● House of Representatives (435 members, based upon populations of the states) ● Senate (100 members—two per state) The Federal Legislative Branch

● Makes the laws of the nation ● Makes the annual budget & presidential appointments ● Raises revenue through taxes and other levies (actions) ● Regulates interstate and foreign trade ● Declares war Congress

● General assembly consists of a bicameral legislature: 1.The House of Delegates 2.Virginia Senate ● Makes the laws of the state ● Approves the biennial (2 year) budget ● Meet annually for a fixed number of days The Virginia Legislative Branch

1. Units of local government in Virginia are: counties, towns, and cities. Local governments exercise legislative, executive, and judicial powers. 1.All Counties & Cities have an: elected or appointed school board, which oversees the operation of the K–12 public schools in the county or city. 2.All Virginia localities have a lawmaking body that exercises legislative powers, enacts ordinances (local laws) and adopts an annual budget. i.Towns and cities have an elected council. ii.Counties have an elected board of supervisors. The Structure & Powers of the Local Government

4.Virginia local governments are given the following limited power by the state: 1. enforce state and local laws 2. protect public safety 3. protect the environment 4. levy and collect taxes 5. promote public health 6. educate children 7. regulate land use

1. L obbying: Seeking to influence legislators to introduce or vote for or against a bill 2. Ways individuals influence public policy ■Participating in politics – voting, campaigning, seeking office ■Expressing opinions - lobbying, demonstrating, writing letters ■Joining interest groups ** Individuals can have the greatest influence on the decisions made by local government officials. How do individuals and interest groups influence public policy ?

3. Ways interest groups influence public policy ● Identifying issues ● Making political contributions ● Lobbying government officials How do individuals and interest groups influence public policy ?

International issues and events that would require policy decisions by local government officials could include the following: ●Public health concerns in the event of a pandemic ●Public safety in the event of an act of terrorism ●Economic development policies in response to the emerging global economy ●Policies to protect the environment The impact of international issues and events on local decision making

The Lawmaking Process

● Introducing a bill by a Senator or Representative ● Working in committees ● Debating the bill on the floor of each house ● Voting in each house ● Sending the bill to the president to sign into law A.The lawmaking process in Congress

●Congressmen write laws and takes action in response to problems or issues. ●Individuals and interest groups help shape legislation. ●The formal powers of Congress are limited by the Constitution. ●Citizens participate in the legislative process through direct involvement / simulations B. Factors Influencing The National Lawmaking Process

A.The lawmaking process in the Virginia General Assembly ●Introducing a bill by a Senator or Delegate ●Working in committees ●Debating the bill on the floor of each house ●Voting on the bill in each house ●Sending the bill to the governor to sign into law The Lawmaking Process at the State Level: Virginia

● Members of the VA General Assembly write laws & take response to problems or issues. ● Individuals and interest groups help shape legislation. ● The formal powers of Congress are limited by the Reserved Powers of the Constitution. B.Factors Influencing The State Lawmaking Process

● Education: To promote an informed and engaged citizenry (i.e., establish minimum standards for local schools = SOL’s) ● Public health: To promote and protect the health of its citizens (i.e., fund health benefits) ● Environment: To protect natural resources (i.e., improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay) C.The primary issues in the State Legislative Process

● State budget: To approve a biennial (two year) budget prepared by the governor ● Revenue: To levy and collect taxes