Our Government – A look at our Federal and New York State Governments Presented to: 8th. Grade Social Scientists Presented by: Mr. Cook and Mrs. Camuto

United States Government nt/#

The Executive Branch This branch includes – 1.) President 2.) Vice President 3.) 15 Cabinet Members President’s jobs include:  Approving and carrying out laws passed by Legislative Branch  Appointing and removing cabinet members  Negotiating treaties  Acting as Head of State  Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.

The Legislative Branch Two houses of congress! 1.) House of Representatives 2.) Senate MOST important duty to make laws! Laws are written, discussed and voted on in congress. Senate must also ratify all treaties.

The TWO Houses of Congress! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES! Number of Congressmen based on State’s population. 435 members of the House Serve two year terms Helped strengthen the large states power! SENATE Each State elects TWO Senators. 100 total Senators Serve six year terms Helped strengthen the small states power!

The Judicial Branch Led by the Supreme Court This is the highest court in the land ALL decisions are final! Contains NINE Justices and ONE of them is named the Chief Justice NO term limits; serve for life! Appointed by President; approved by Congress.

CHECKS AND BALANCES! OUR Government has a system where each branch can check on the other so one branch NEVER gets to powerful!  For EXAMPLE: President MAY sign new laws or VETO them! Congress MAY override a veto and MUST o.k. any declaration of war! Supreme Court makes sure all laws are Constitutional!

How a Bill becomes a Law! Bills (ideas for LAWS) can originate in either the Senate or the House Committees then discuss and debate the bill They can either “kill it” or send the bill on for a vote Both the Senate and the House must approve it in a vote for it to move to the President The President may sign or veto the bill If vetoed, Congress may revote and “override” the veto.

Separation of Powers! National GovernmentState Governments * May not violate the Bill of Rights * May not impose export taxes among states * May not use money from the Treasury without the passage and approval of an appropriations bill * May not change state boundaries * May not enter into treaties with other countries * May not print money * May not tax imports or exports * May not impair obligations of contracts * May not suspend a person's rights without due process

New York State’s Government Like the U.S. Government, it also includes THREE branches! They also include: 1.) Executive 2.) Legislative 3.) Judicial

New York State’s Executive Branch! KEY PEOPLE: 1.) Governor 2.) Lieutenant Governor 3.) State Comptroller 4.) Attorney General 5.) Many other heads of various departments As with the Federal government, this branch carries out the laws.

New York State Legislative Branch! New York State has two houses in the this branch: 1.) State Senate 2.) NY State Assembly Lieutenant Governor is the Senate’s President The speaker presides over the Assembly Their main job is to make the laws!

New York State’s Judicial Branch! Court of Appeals – State’s HIGHEST court!  Six associate judges  A Chief Judge Serve 14 year term Judges appointed by Governor The Chief Judge is the chief judicial officer of the State. Supreme Court has four Appellate Divisions 1.htm

Comparing the Executive Branches! ernment/#

Comparing the Legislative Branches! ov/government/# us/Tour/?sec=guided

Comparing the Judicial Branches! ent/# y.us/history/elecbook/2d dept/pg1.htm

Where do we fit in the world?

FINAL OVERVIEW! BOTH the Federal Government and New York State Government have VERY similar designs with different names for the various offices! EACH branch has a specific job and ALL branches can CHECK the other branches!