1. Unit 5 Georgia’s Constitution
Georgia Performance Standards:
SS8CG1: The student will describe the role of citizens under Georgia’s Constitution.

2. Georgia’s Constitution
Georgia’s Constitution is a written set of guidelines for operating the state’s government.
It is the highest set of laws for the state.
The state has had 10 constitutions.
Georgia’s Constitution outlines the following:
Structure of government
Elections
Three branches of government
Taxes
Public Education
Local Government
Process for amending (making changes) to the Constitution

3. State Motto Georgia’s motto is Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation
It is located on the state flag and seal.

4. Georgia State Government: Executive Branch, Legislative Branch, & Judicial Branch
Georgia Performance Standards:
SS8CG3: The student will analyze the role of the executive branch in Georgia state government.
SS8CG2: The student will analyze the role of the legislative branch in Georgia State government.
SS8CG4: The student will analyze the role of the judicial branch in Georgia state government.

5. Branches of Georgia’s Government
Georgia state government is divided into 3 branches: Executive, Legislative, & Judicial
This helps to ensure that one branch does not have too much power = Checks and Balances

6. Executive Branch-Governor of Georgia
Nathan Deal was sworn in as Georgia’s 82nd Governor on January 10, 2011.
Qualifications for Governor:
U.S. citizen for 5 years
Resident of Georgia for the 6 years preceding the election
30 years old or older
Role = Enforces Georgia’s laws

7. Lieutenant Governor
On November 7, 2006, Casey Cagle made Georgia history by becoming the 1st Republican ever elected to the state’s 2nd highest office.  
He was re-elected as the 11th Lt. Governor on November 2, 2010.
Qualifications for Lt . Governor are:
Must be a U.S. citizen for 5 years
Lived in Georgia for six years
30 years old or older
The Lt. Governor of Georgia has no restrictions on the number of times he or she can hold the office.
Role = the Lt. Governor's primary job is to serve as President of the Georgia Senate. Takes over as Governor if the Governor dies, resigns, or is impeached.

8. Georgia State Executive Branch: Support Officers
Dr. John Barge
State Superintendent of Education: Oversees Georgia’s public education
Sam Olens
Attorney General: State lawyer
Brian Kemp
Secretary of State: Oversees state elections & official records

9. Georgia State Executive Branch: Support Officers
Ralph Hudgens
Commissioner of Insurance: Oversees the insurance industry in the state
Tommy Irvin
Commissioner of
Agriculture: Oversees farming, crop production, & agribusiness in the state
Mark Butler
Commissioner of Labor: Oversees employment and Human Resources in the state

10. Georgia’s Legislative Branch
The General Assembly’s role is creating state laws.
It was established by the Georgia Constitution of 1777.
This bicameral (2-houses) legislature is divided into the House of Representatives (180+ members) & the Senate (56 members).
Every 2 years, Georgians elect these members.

11. Georgia’s Legislative Branch
The General Assembly meets for 40 days, beginning the 2nd Monday in January.
During this 40-day session, many bills (proposals for laws) are proposed. Some bills are passed into laws by a majority vote from the House of Representatives and the Senate.
These laws will:
Regulate people’s behavior
Provide for local government
Allow the state to raise and spend money
Provide state services

12. Georgia’s Legislative Branch
In the General Assembly, Georgia’s Lieutenant Governor presides over the Senate.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives presides over the House of Representatives
In the event that both the Governor and Lieutenant Governor cannot fulfill their terms, the Speaker of the House of Representatives will become the Governor.
If the Governor does not support a proposed bill, he or she can veto (reject it).
Then, 2/3 majority vote from the House of Representatives and the Senate can override the Governor’s veto (rejection) of a bill.

13. Georgia’s Judicial Branch

14. Georgia’s Judicial Branch
Its role is to interpret and apply the laws that the General Assembly creates each year.
State courts handle two classes of disputes:
Civil: The court helps to settle disputes between two or more parties.
Criminal: The state takes legal action against someone who has been arrested for committing a crime (breaking the law).

15. Fourth Branch
This additional branch focuses on Georgia’s citizens and their roles.
The roles of the citizens are:
Voting: Must be 18 years old or older
Paying Taxes: Helps to fund & run the government
Being a good citizen: Obey laws & volunteer in your community