Government and Utah Chapter 15: Government for and by the People

Bell Activity  Take out your response paper. Think about what you have learned about the government and its branches (legislative, executive, and judicial). Which branch do you think is the most powerful and why? What are some ways the other two branches can prevent that branch from becoming too powerful. Think about what you have learned about the government and its branches (legislative, executive, and judicial). Which branch do you think is the most powerful and why? What are some ways the other two branches can prevent that branch from becoming too powerful.  Where should your backpack be? Check under your desk for gum.

Today we will learn about… Content Objective - We will be able to describe how taxes are used by the federal, state, and local government. We will also examine the rights and responsibilities of being a good citizen. Content Objective - We will be able to describe how taxes are used by the federal, state, and local government. We will also examine the rights and responsibilities of being a good citizen. Language Objective - We will read taxes and our rights and responsibilities, and answer questions about them. Language Objective - We will read taxes and our rights and responsibilities, and answer questions about them. Behavior Objective – Collaboration: We will help each other finish our study guides. Behavior Objective – Collaboration: We will help each other finish our study guides.

Levels of Government in Utah Levels of GovernmentCounty Government City GovernmentTribal Government Taxes

Levels of Government No matter where you live in our country, you have to live under the rules and laws of the national government. No matter where you live in our country, you have to live under the rules and laws of the national government. You also live under smaller governments. You also live under smaller governments. –State –County –City or Town

Levels continued… The National Government, called the federal government, rules everyone in the country. The National Government, called the federal government, rules everyone in the country. The state government rules only the people in the state. The state government rules only the people in the state. County government applies to smaller regions of the state. County government applies to smaller regions of the state. City government is government closer to home. City government is government closer to home.

Levels in Logan Federal State CountyCity

County Government Utah is divided into smaller regions called counties. Utah is divided into smaller regions called counties. The county government is headed by a county board of commissioners. The county government is headed by a county board of commissioners. Each county has a county seat, which is where the offices of the county government are located. Each county has a county seat, which is where the offices of the county government are located. –What is the county we live in? –What is the county seat of that county?

County Government Services These are some of the services that are part of county government: These are some of the services that are part of county government: –County court –Driver’s license –Copy of your birth certificate –Marriage license –Pay taxes on a car

County Government Services Counties: Counties: –Hold elections –Levy taxes –Carry out laws –Buy property & raise buildings –Deal with public health and welfare –Business licenses –Schools –Libraries

City Government The type of government that a town has depends in part on how big it is. The type of government that a town has depends in part on how big it is. When a town is created, the citizens choose what type of government that city will have. When a town is created, the citizens choose what type of government that city will have. –Large towns typically have a mayor and a council. –Small towns often have a town board or manager. Town leaders direct city affairs, make ordinances, and decide how to spend taxes. Town leaders direct city affairs, make ordinances, and decide how to spend taxes.

Kinds of Cities Cities are classified according to size and population. These are the main kinds: Cities are classified according to size and population. These are the main kinds: –FIRST CLASS CITY – population over 100,000 –SECOND CLASS CITY – population from 60,000 – 100,000 –THIRD CLASS CITY – population below 60,000 –TOWN – 100 people or more until incorporated to become a city.

City Government Services The main role of city government is to offer services such as: The main role of city government is to offer services such as: –Build and maintain roads –Parks –Water –Sewage –Garbage disposal –Snow removal –Fire and Police departments –Libraries –Cemeteries –Public programs: 4th of July, recreation programs.

Tribal Governments American Indians who live on reservations also live under a tribal government. American Indians who live on reservations also live under a tribal government. They are separate nations under the national government. They are separate nations under the national government. Navajo Tribal Council

What do you think? Some people think we have too much government. Others think that we need to have the different levels of government. Think about the ways the levels are the same and different. Do you think that we need both county and city governments? Some people think we have too much government. Others think that we need to have the different levels of government. Think about the ways the levels are the same and different. Do you think that we need both county and city governments?

Bell Activity  Take out your response paper and spend 4 minutes answering these questions. What do you think it means to be a good citizen? What do you think it means to be a good citizen? What kinds of rights do we have as citizens? What kinds of rights do we have as citizens? What are our responsibilities as citizens? What are our responsibilities as citizens?  Where should your backpack be? Check under your desk for gum.

Taxes The U.S. and Utah Constitutions give our federal, state, counties, and cities the power to collect taxes. The U.S. and Utah Constitutions give our federal, state, counties, and cities the power to collect taxes. –Taxes come in many forms. Look at the pink sheet for a list of where taxes are collected. –Write down three places where taxes are collected.

Taxes Pay for Services What is local tax money used for? What is local tax money used for? –Making and fixing streets. –Plowing the snow in winter. –Libraries –Schools –Clean water –Garbage collection –Recreation like parks, sports, swimming pools, etc. –Paying public employees (teachers, police, etc.) Federal taxes? Federal taxes? –Military protection –Currency (money) –And many more things

Taxes and you Public schools are a government service. Public schools are a government service. –No matter where you live in Utah, all the working adults in the state help pay for your education. –Taxes pay for school buildings, teachers’ salaries, textbooks, and supplies. Since both state and local tax money is used to pay for your education, the state legislature can require students to attend school for a certain number of days each year, and set the curricula that you study in your classes. Since both state and local tax money is used to pay for your education, the state legislature can require students to attend school for a certain number of days each year, and set the curricula that you study in your classes. –The voters have a say in what happens in schools by electing members of the school board of each school district. –The board adopts policies to fit local needs.

Get Involved! Government affects your life in many ways, but many people don’t see the point of being active in their government. Government affects your life in many ways, but many people don’t see the point of being active in their government. Even students can get involved in the process. Even students can get involved in the process. –Know who your elected officials are. –Visit city council meetings. –Write letters or s to your representatives. –Volunteer in your community. –Register to vote when you turn 18 and learn about the issues and candidates you will be voting on. –When you are old enough, you can even campaign for a candidate.

Be a Person of High Character Our city, state, and country is only as strong as its people. Our city, state, and country is only as strong as its people. –Be honest, moral, polite, and helpful. –Help people when you can in your community. –You should obey all the laws. –You should speak out against discrimination or unfair actions of other people. –Make a difference in other people’s lives by volunteering your time.