Legislative Branch The Legislative Branch of North Carolina’s state government is called the General Assembly Makes two types of laws: Statutes – apply to everyone in the state Ordinances - Local or Specific laws – just to certain areas in the state Major power deals with finances. How much to spend and how much to tax? Legislative Oversight – review of government operations

The NC General Assembly SENATE 50 Members Presiding Officer: Lieutenant Governor Elected Chamber Leader: President Pro Tempore HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 120 Members Presiding Officer: Speaker of the House Elected Chamber Leader:

Executive Branch of North Carolina State Government 4 year terms, 2 consecutive – can come back for another 2 after a 4 year Must be 30 years old, US citizen for 5 years, lived in NC for 2 years Lt. Governor elected also. Must meet governor qualifications. Head of the NC Senate. Council of the State – 8 state agencies, people elected to these 4 year positions, unlimited Offices of the Council -

Executive Branch Recall: An election where voters can remove state officials. Lieutenant Governor: Takes over for the governor and is head of the state senate.

Powers of the Governor Chief Executive, Chief Legislator, Judicial Leader, Commander in Chief, Party leader, Ceremonial leader. As judicial leader a governor can: Commute: Reduce a sentence. Parole: Early release from prison. Can offer pardons and reprieves.

Executive Officials Most officials are elected by voters. There are many different departments led by a secretary.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Commissioner of Insurance Governor Roy Cooper Lieutenant Governor Dan Forest Elected Officials Comm. Of Agriculture State Treasurer Superintendent of Public Instruction Secretary of State Attorney General Secretary of Labor Commissioner of Insurance State Auditor

Judicial Branch Misdemeanors: Minor crimes handled by lower courts. Felonies: Serious crimes handled by higher courts. Trial courts: Use juries. Judge decides punishment. Appellate courts: Panel of judges. Appellate jurisdiction. State Supreme Court: Highest level. Plea Bargain: Defendant pleads guilty for a reduced sentence.

Superior Court District Court Supreme Court Other Court Officials Court of Appeals Superior Court TEACHERS: Click on the court that you want to discuss and the appropriate Power Point slide will open up; when you are ready to return from that slide to this graphic organizer, click on the purple arrow. District Court

County Government Local governments are established by state governments. Charter: Plan that explains the power of a local government. All counties provide services for their citizens. County board has legislative powers. Ordinance: Law passed by a county board. Provide law enforcement, set up hospitals, improve transportation, and set up public libraries. Collect revenue through property tax and sales tax. Have executive power to enforce laws (Inspectors).

County Officials Sheriff: Law enforcement. Keeps peace and manages the jail. District attorney: Investigates crime and prosecutes in court. Coroner: Establishes the cause of death. County clerk: Keeps official records. Assessor: Determines the value of property for tax purposes.

Town Governments Some counties are divided into towns. In the northeast, town government is more important than county. Town govt. began in New England as a form of direct democracy. Other northern states divided into smaller units called townships. In the Midwest, townships were established during expansion by Congress.

Village Government Smallest unit of local government. A group must get permission from the state. Villages have a board and an executive elected by the voters.

Special Districts Provides a solution for a single issue or provide a service. An elected board runs the district. User fees: Rates paid for services.

City Government Must get a charter from the state government. Home rule: Allows cities to write their own charters. Crime, medical problems, drug abuse, and homelessness are problems. Ward: Voting district in a city.

Mayor-Council Government Separate legislative (city council) and executive (mayor) branches. There are strong and weak mayor plans.

City Council – City Manager Voters elect a city council. City manager runs the city. Appointed by the city council.

Commission Government Began in Galveston, Texas in 1901 after a natural disaster. Separate departments led by a commissioner. The commission has executive and legislative powers.

Community Problems Public Policy: Decision that effect people. They can come from lawmakers, citizens, interest groups, and the media. Must plan for the future. Involves educated guessing. Short term: Decisions effecting the next few years. Long term: Decisions effecting the next fifty years. Must have priorities and evaluate resources. Communities develop a master plan of goals.

Zoning A zoning board decides what land will be used for. Different zones for residential, business, and public land. Provides a map for the community.

Financing Taxes: Sales, property and income. User fees: Fares paid for the use of services. Bond: Borrow the money and pay it back later.

Education and Housing Education is the most expensive service provided by state and local governments. Urban renewal: Re-building old neighborhoods. The government provides low income housing.

Shortages and Pollution Many places have shortages on power and water. Conservation: Using less of our resources. Disposing of garbage is a problem (landfills). Recycling: Using old materials to produce new ones.