CONTEMPORARY ISSUES – STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT III – Effective Citizenship and Participation

Annexation NC Constitution allows local governments to extend their boundaries if needed and approved Done due to rapid growth of cities and the need for more money and a larger tax base Pros Allows for more organized growth of services and schools Cons Tend to be involuntary and do not take into consideration the desires of those already living in the area to be annexed This causes those in the area to “suffer” due to new taxes, utility connection fees, and new zoning ordinances

NC Educational Lottery Passed in August 2005, began in March 2006 Pros NC is the last state on the east coast to legalize an education lottery It is a way to supplement the state budget and education Cons Money usually only goes to building new schools and granting scholarships Gambling, which is seen as immoral by many

Charter Schools Public schools supported by state tax dollars that do not have to follow the state curriculum PROS Options for families Competition in education should cause it to improve Allow for more innovation Can focus on particular methods or areas CONS Loss of funding for traditional schools Unfair playing field (all cannot really attend) Less transparency (public cannot see what the school is doing as easily) Less local control Less diversity

Gerrymandering Drawing of district lines for the U.S. House of Representatives to give an advantage to a political party NOT GERRYMANDERED GERRYMANDERED

NC Voter ID Law Signed into law by Governor McCrory on August 12, 2013 Has received a lot of controversy What it did – Requires all voters to have a valid state ID (can get it for free if they have the required documents) Ends early registration for 16 and 17 year olds Cut early voting periods from 17 days to 10 days Ended same day registration for early voting