Chapter 23 State and Local Government Section 2 State Institutions

Legislators and Legislatures Legislators are elected officials who represent their constituents. Legislatures are composed of legislators and are responsible for: Creating budgets/Raising revenues Passing laws to govern schools, roads, and criminal activity Districts should be roughly equal in population. Should reflect political culture of district. More citizens are pushing for term limits on legislatures. Citizen Legislatures has a regular job and also works for the state. Sometimes subject to term limits regardless of experience, popularity, and effectiveness as a politician. Note to teachers: The photo shows the California State Capitol building. Notice the architectural similarities between the state capitol building and the national capitol building.

Governors The governor heads the state’s executive branch. The governor’s roles include serving as: Head of state Commander in chief of the National Guard A check on state legislation through use of the veto (which may include the line-item veto) Usually 4 year terms. State constitutions limit the powers of governors more than the federal Constitution limits those of the president. Typically has little control over policy making. The governorship is a highly visible political office that can lead to future national positions in government. Best opportunity for those aspiring for a higher office. Note to teachers: Four of the five past presidents served as governors before becoming the president. In addition, Governor Tommy Thompson of Wisconsin served as the secretary for Health and Human Services.

Governor The outcomes of gubernatorial elections depend on at least three factors. What the incumbent did while in office is one factor. National politics is another. The campaign is a third factor. Most governors have no power over certain elective offices. Power is fragmented. This gives interest groups more chance to affect policies. © EMC Publishing, LLC

Your Turn Which of the following statements is NOT true about state legislatures? They create federal budgets. They establish public school systems. They create transportation systems. They levy taxes. Note to teachers: The correct answer is a. © EMC Publishing, LLC

State Courts State courts hear more cases than do federal courts because state laws more directly affect people’s lives. Play a role in changing legislative districts. They set precedents- legal principles. State courts have the most jurisdiction over an average person’s life. State courts settle two types of disputes: Criminal: Between the community and an individual Civil: Between two private parties State courts undertake judicial review of state legislation. Missouri Plan- Governor has final say on state judge selections. Note to teachers: The photo shows a California courtroom.

Court Reform State judicial systems are structured in three tiers. State systems are decentralized and fragmented. Some experts advocate reforms to meet two goals: Creation of a unified state court system Movement to a merit system of judicial selection Some judges rely more on state constitutions Note to teachers: • Creation of a unified state court system would allow the state supreme court to manage the entire state court system. • Movement to a merit system of judicial selection would allow the governor to appoint a panel of legal experts to list three judicial candidates from which the governor selects one. The voters would then determine whether to keep or dismiss judges in periodic elections.

Your Turn Use T-charts to list the benefits and drawbacks to the following systems. Be prepared to share your ideas. A unified state court system The merit system of judicial selection Note to teachers: Invite students to merge their chart with that of a partner. Divide the class into two groups, one to debate the idea of a unified state court system and one to debate the merit system of judicial selection. Further divide each half of the class into a team of pros and a team of cons. Give the teams time to gather evidence for their positions, and then hold two formal debates, one on each issue. © EMC Publishing, LLC