1. 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?

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.