1. Structure and Function of the Legislative Branch – State and Local
UNIT IV – Legislative and Executive Branches

2. Legislative Branch – State Level
Called: General Assembly
Role: To make state laws (statutes)
Meet: in Raleigh
Houses: 2 – NC House of Representatives and NC Senate

3. Structure of the General Assembly
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
SENATE
120 members
Members represent the district they are elected from
Lower qualifications
2 year terms
50 members
Members represent larger districts that they are elected from
Higher qualifications
2 year terms
Although districts are larger in the NC Senate, the Senate does not hold more power than the House

4. Your Current NC Representative and Senator
JOE TOLSON (DEM) EDGEWOOD DRIVE (252)
23rd DISTRICT
CLARK JENKINS (DEM)
Your Current NC Representative and Senator
Joe Tolson (D)
NC House of Representatives
District 23
Clark Jenkins (D)
NC Senate
District 3

5. Organization of General Assembly
Also divided into committees for organizational purposes
Same seniority and expertise rules apply
Has standing, select, and conference committees – no joint committees

6. Leaders of General Assembly
House of Representatives
Speaker of the House
Senate
Lt. Governor is President of the Senate (much more involved that VP is in U.S. Senate but can still only vote in a tie)
Has a President Pro Tempore that is used when necessary

7. Your Current General Assembly Leaders
Thom Tillis (R)
NC Speaker of the House
Dan Forest (R)
NC President of the Senate
Phil Berger (R)
NC President Pro Tempore

8. Legislative Branch – Local Level
Called: City Council
Role: establishes policies and makes local laws (ordinances)
Meet: at Concord government offices (pink building downtown)
Houses: none, only 7 members – they are part time (usually have another job)
Serve 4-year terms
Appoint the City Manager (council’s chief advisor and “CEO” of city)

9. Your Current Concord City Council
Left to Right: David Phillips, Jim Ramseur, Ella Mae Small, Scott Padgett (mayor) Alfred Brown, Lamar Barrier, Hector Henry, John Sweat