1. The New Face of State and Local Government
Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy
Thirteenth AP* Edition
Edwards/Wattenberg/Lineberry
Chapter 21
The New Face of State and Local Government
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Introduction
Subnational Governments:
State and local governments have been characterized by revitalization and diversity since the 1960’s.
States have become more active players in policymaking.
States still remain diverse in their populations and policies.
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State Constitutions
In General
Each state has its own unique constitution.
They are subordinate to the U.S. Constitution.
State constitutions have more detail about specific policies.
Specific interests work to protect their issues in the constitutions since it is harder to amend them.
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State Constitutions
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State Constitutions
Amending State Constitutions
Few states rewrite their constitutions.
States often use the “cut and paste” method of changing their constitutions by only updating a few sections of the document at a time.
In general, a state’s legislature proposes a constitutional amendment and then it is put to a vote in an election.
Some states allow citizen initiatives.
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State Elections
Gubernatorial Elections
Elections are becoming more centered on the candidates, like presidential elections.
May lead to divided government at state level
Today, elections are generally held in even numbered, non-presidential election years so the governor is the main candidate.
The elections are expensive and candidates raise most of the money themselves.
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State Elections
State Legislative Elections
State legislators have the smallest constituencies, yet are the least well known.
State districts had to be redrawn after Baker v. Carr (1962) specified “one person, one vote” in state elections.
Campaigns are getting more expensive and more candidate centered.
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State Elections
State Legislative Elections
Partisan Competition, Legislative Turnovers, and Term Limits
Partisan competition is close in most states, often resulting in divided government.
There is generally high turnover in state legislatures which some think leads to new policy ideas.
Some states have decided to “force” turnover by using terms limits.
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State Elections
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State Elections
The Changing Face of State Elected Officials
The old rule of white, male elected leaders is going away as women and minorities are elected as governors and legislators.
8 female state governors in 2006
Progress has been slow in recent years in part because of women running for federal offices.
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State Elections
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12. Governors and the Executive Branch
The Job of Governor
Expected to fulfill many duties, some formal, some not
There is a wide diversity in the amount of formal powers each governor has.
42 governors have a line-item vet—veto only parts of a bill
Today’s governors use “personal powers” to help accomplish their policy goals.
Public support, character, and leadership style
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13. Governors and the Executive Branch
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14. Governors and the Executive Branch
Other Executive Officers
Many other state executives are elected separately from the governor.
Major state executives include:
Lieutenant Governor—second-highest executive official in state governments
Attorney General—state’s legal counsel
Treasurer—manager of state’s bank accounts
Secretary of State—in charge of elections and record-keeping
Auditor—financial comptroller
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State Legislatures
General Information:
Generally operate like Congress
Have become more professional:
longer sessions—43 state legislatures have annual sessions
higher salaries
more staff
But others argue that it takes away from the “citizen legislature” favored by many
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State Legislatures
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State Court Systems
State Court Organization
Many state court systems are confusing with many specialized courts.
There have been efforts to consolidate the number and type of courts.
Many states have established intermediate courts of appeal to take some of the workload off the state’s supreme court.
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State Court Systems
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State Court Systems
Selecting Judges
States use a variety of methods in choosing judges.
Election (both partisan and non partisan)
Appointment (mostly with confirmation)
Relatively new method is the merit plan
Governor appoints one of several screened judges.
After a term, judge faces the voters in a retention election—17 states use this
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State Court Systems
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Direct Democracy
Direct democracy: government controlled directly by the citizens
Methods of citizen control of the Government:
Initiative: proposed changes to laws be put on the ballot if enough signatures are collected
Referendum: voters approve or disapprove state legislation
Recall: voters may vote someone out of office
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Direct Democracy
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23. State and Local Government Relations
Interrelationship between states and local governments is not as clearly defined as that between federal and state governments
Dillon’s Rule: Local governments have only those powers and duties explicitly given to them by the state.
Some states allow home rule where a local government adopts a charter (like a constitution) to govern its activities.
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Local Governments
Types of Local Government
Counties
Townships
Municipalities
Town meeting: form of direct democracy where citizens gather once a year to make policy; rarely used
Mayor-Council
Council-Manager (city manager): an official appointed by the city council who is responsible for implementing and administering the council’s actions
Commission
School Districts
Special Districts
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Local Governments
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Local Governments
Mayor-Council Government (Figure 21.6)
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Local Governments
Council-Manager Government (Figure 21.7)
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Local Governments
Fragmentation, Cooperation, and Competition
Not much cooperation among local governments in a state to solve problems
Regional governments are able to coordinate some activities in some areas.
Differences in opinion on needs and competition make cooperation difficult.
Council of Governments (COGs) can coordinate some activities as well.
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29. State and Local Finance Policy
State Government Revenues and Expenditures
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30. Understanding State and Local Governments
Democracy at the Subnational Level
States have been willing to let local governments handle local problems and operate very openly.
There are problems with lack of voter participation and coordination among local governments as well as competition for economic development.
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31. Understanding State and Local Governments
The Scope of Subnational Government
State and local governments are growing faster than the national government.
Some states have sunset legislation that calls for the reviewing of agencies to see if their programs are still needed.
Some local governments are better able at policymaking than their states and have taken the lead in solving problems.
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Summary
State and local government are responsible for policies with which we are most familiar—policy, education, trash collection.
State governments are similar to, but vastly different from federal government.
Local governments are established by states to handle truly local policy issues.
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