State and Local Executive Branch Essential Questions: What relationship exists between the federal, state, and local governments? Why are separate groups responsible for making and enforcing laws at each level of government? How is the authority to make and enforce laws determined? Why do different levels of government and different geographic areas make and enforce laws differently?

State Executive Branch Governor 4 year terms Qualifications: 30 years old, US citizen for at least 5 years, must have lived in NC for at least two years prior to the election Appoints key state officials Recommends the budget Makes recommendations to the General Assembly on new laws Signs bills into law Can veto bills (after 1996) Lieutenant Governor Runs separately from the governor Takes the place of the governor if necessary Is the President of the State Senate Same Qualifications as Governor

NC Council of State Elected officials Serve 4 year terms and appoint staff within their agencies Made up of the following offices: Attorney General: Oversees the department of Justice, represents state government, protects consumers and runs the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) Commissioner of Agriculture: Oversees research and safety Commissioner of Insurance: Regulates the state’s insurance companies Commissioner of Labor: Regulates worker safety and employment Secretary of State: Facilitates the state’s business activities and manages the state’s official records. State Auditor: Reviews the performance of the other state departments State Treasurer: Manages NC’s money Superintendent of Public Instruction: Runs the Department of Public Instruction

Governor’s Cabinet Group of appointed officials to help the Governor make important decisions Offices include: Secretary of Administration Secretary of Commerce Secretary of Public Safety Secretary of Cultural Resources Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary of Revenue Secretary of Transportation

County Executive Branch County: Executive Powers are shared Goal is to be sure each county’s citizens have order, protection, and services available as easily as possible. Run by commissioners/ County commissioners Elected and usually hire a county manager Make decisions for the county Manage the budget and levy taxes Sheriff: elected by a county’s citizens ; chief law enforcement officer Monitor county jails Enforce the laws Provide police patrol and criminal investigations for the unincorporated areas County manager- oversees daily operations District attorney- chief legal officer; prosecutes all criminal cases for a county County clerk- keeps official government records & supervises county elections

Local Executive Branch City, Town, Municipality- urban area that is self governed Run by a mayor or uses one of the council plans Chief of Police: employee of the city not elected and provides law enforcement

Local Executive Branch Type of Government Description Mayor Council Plan Mayor = Executive Council = Legislative Strong Mayor System –Mayor is elected by the people & appoints the heads of city departments. He also prepares the city budget. He has a major role in policy making. Weak Mayor System – The people elect a council who appoints a mayor and department heads. Council Manager Plan Voters elect a city council who sets policy (ordinances). The council hires a city manager who is the executive for the city. The manager hires the heads of different departments and handles daily operations of city government. Commission Plan Voters vote and choose 5 town commissioners. Four of them will head a department and one will become the mayor.