March 12-17, 2018

Standards SS8CG1 Describe the foundations of Georgia’s government. Explain the basic structure of the Georgia state constitution (preamble, bill of rights, articles, and amendments) as well as its relationship to the United States Constitution. Explain separation of powers and checks and balances using Georgia’s three branches of government. Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens according to the Georgia Constitution. List voting qualifications for elections in Georgia. Identify wisdom, justice, and moderation as the three principles in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Georgia Flag.

Think/Pair/Share 1) Why should we care about state government? 2) What do you know about state government?

Georgia’s Constitution Georgia’s Constitution is a written set of guidelines for operating the state’s government. It is the highest set of laws for the state. We have had a total of 10 constitutions.

Structure of GA’s State Constitution Preamble: Statement of Purpose – identifies the fundamental purposes and principles for which the GA Constitution stands. Article I: Bill of Rights – Lists certain individual liberties and protects those liberties from governmental intrusion, unless there is sufficiently compelling justification for government action. Provides for Freedom of Conscience (“natural and inalienable right to worship God, each according to the dictates of that person’s own conscience” without interference; adds the right to religious opinion along with freedom of religion)

Structure of GA’s State Constitution Describes the “origin and foundation of government,” the “object of government,” the separation of powers and the superiority of civil authority over military authority Explicitly describes the separation of church and state Deals with Eminent Domain, private ways and Tidewater titles

Structure of GA’s State Constitution Article II: Voting and Elections– describes voting and elections; deal with the method of voting and the right to register and vote; general provisions and suspension and removal of public officials Article III: Legislative Branch – describes the Legislative Branch of Georgia’s government; establishes legislative powers and General Assembly’s composition as well as its officers; etc

Structure of GA’s State Constitution Article IV: Constitutional Boards and Commissions – consists of seven sections describing six boards and commissions and their powers Article V: Executive Branch – details the election of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor; discusses other elected officials and what to do if an officer dies or becomes permanently disables

Structure of GA’s State Constitution Article VI: Judicial Branch– describes the Judicial Branch of Georgia’s government; contains ten Sections which discuss the different courts and their powers and jurisdictions. Article VII: Taxation and Finance– Four separate sections each deal with the power of taxation; also included are the classification of property as well as assessment of agricultural land and utilities

Structure of GA’s State Constitution Article VII: Education– deals with public schools; boards and offices responsible for education; local school systems; taxation and educational assistance Article IX: Counties and Municipal Corporations– describes Counties and Municipal Corporations; contains seven Sections concerning counties; limitation on local debt; among others.

Structure of GA’s State Constitution Article X: Amendments to the Constitution– provides provisions for changing the constitution. To amend the constitution or to begin a constitutional convention for the creation of a new document, such documents must be proposed by the General Assembly and must originate as a resolution in either the Senate or the House and be ratified by both. Article XI: Miscellaneous Provisions– contains one Section with six paragraphs discussing the continuation of officers, boards, commissions, and authorities; special commissions; etc.

Georgia Constitution and Federal Constitution Similarities Differences GA’s constitution is longer due to the specific, detailed policies GA voters must approve any amendments to the constitution while there is no comparable role for amending the U.S. Constitution GA’s Constitution requires that the state maintain a balanced budget while the U.S. Constitution doesn’t place that limitation on the federal government. GA’s Governor has line-item veto power (can cut a specific item in a spending bill); U.S. President can’t do so. GA elects almost all of its judges on non-partisan ballots while the President nominates judges for Senate approval. Legislators in GA serve 2-year terms; at the Federal level, Representatives serve 2-year terms and Senators serve 6-year terms GA Governor doesn’t function with a cabinet of advisors as does the President GA Constitution provides detailed information regarding how local governments should function. U.S. Constitution doesn’t mention local government. Bill of Rights Separation of powers with specific legislative, executive, and judicial branches Executive leaders have power to appoint officials and veto bills Legislative Branches are bicameral and each calls its two chambers the Senate and the House of Representatives Both governments allow judicial review (the power of the courts to declare acts unconstitutional)

Rights of Citizens (Outlined in GA Constitution) Freedom of religion, speech, and press (like U.S. Constitution) However, GA’s constitution also includes: Life, liberty, and property: no person shall be deprived of these except by due process of law. Freedom of conscience: each person has the natural and inalienable right to worship God, each according to the dictates of that person’s own conscience; no human authority should, in any case, control or interfere with such right of conscience. Banishment and whipping as punishment for crime: Neither banishment beyond the limits of the state nor whipping shall be allowed as a punishment for crime. Fishing and hunting: The tradition of fishing and hunting and the taking of fish and wildlife shall be preserved for the people and shall be managed by law and regulation for the public good.

Responsibilities of Citizens (Outlined in GA Constitution) In addition to rights, GA citizens also have civic responsibilities, including: Paying taxes Serving on juries Volunteering Voting

Voting Qualifications Voters must be a citizen of the United States Voters must be 18 years old by election day Voters must be a legal resident of Georgia and the county in which a person wants to vote The voter cannot currently be serving time in jail for a felony offense The person must not be ruled mentally incompetent

How to Vote (YOU NEED TO VOTE!!!) Registration City offices County offices State offices Libraries Download a voter registration form online and mail it to the Georgia Secretary of State’s office. You are only allowed to vote at the polling place in your district, or via absentee ballot.

Three Principles in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Georgia Flag Governor Eugene Talmadge signed a joint resolution of the General Assembly adopting a pledge of allegiance to the GA flag on March 28, 1935: I pledge allegiance to the Georgia flag and to the principles for which it stands: Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation. This was never formally adopted as an official motto for Georgia, but wisdom, justice, and moderation became a part of the state seal in 1799. Below are what historians think the words in the motto mean: Wisdom – applies to the Legislative branch and its making of state laws. Justice – applies to the just and fair decisions made by the Judicial branch. Moderation – applies to the use of moderation in administering laws by the Executive branch What do each of these mean to you? Discuss.

Executive Branch Governor Nathan Deal Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle

Legislative Branch Georgia House of Representatives Georgia State Senate Georgia House of Representatives

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