1. Welcome to class…
What are the 3 branches of the national government? What is the main job of each branch?
What rights does the Declaration of Independence think we all have?
What rights are listed in the Bill of Rights?

2. Sections of the NC Constitution
Preamble
Declaration of Rights
Outline of the framework of government
Listing powers & responsibilities of the state
Rules for local governments
Details on how to amend the constitution

3. NC Constitution US Constitution
Preamble: “We the people of the State of NC”
Declaration of Rights: 25 guarantees of freedom & principles which the Constitution is based (life, liberty, enjoyment of fruits of labor, & pursuit of happiness)
Preamble: “We the People of the US”
Bill of Rights: 10 guarantees of freedom
Declaration of Independence: principles which the Constitution is based upon (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness)

4. Key Principles
Popular sovereignty: the people have the right to rule & are the source of power
Separation of powers: divides government power into 3 branches
Checks and balances: each branch has some kind of control over the other branch
Example?

5. Purposes of the NC Constitution
1. to protect the rights of the individual from state power
2. to provide a framework of government for the state

6. Amendments: 1971 Constitution
Prohibiting all poll taxes.
Creating a state income tax to be computed on the same basis as the federal income tax
Allowing the Governor  to serve two consecutive terms (previously, office holders were limited to one term).
Requiring the state run a balanced budget.
Requiring judges to be lawyers.
Giving the Governor the veto power

7. Equal Protection
The 14th Amendment to the US Constitution defines a citizen as anyone born or naturalize in the US (ensured former slaves’ citizenship)
It also requires every state to grant each citizen “equal protection of the laws” (to be treated the same way under the law)
Article I, Section 19 of the NC Constitution guarantees this equal protection and outlaws discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin
Which groups were left out of this equal protection?

8. NC Legislative Branch Official name is the General Assembly
Bicameral (2 houses), made of both the House of Representatives and the Senate
How many members in each house?
Senate: 50 members
House of Representatives: 120 members

9. The General Assembly
Members of the General Assembly are elected from legislative districts of relatively equal population.
Both state senators and state house members serve 2 year terms
There are no term limits for members of the General Assembly

10. Qualifications
Eligibility for the NC house: 21 years old and must have lived in the district for at least 1 year
Eligibility for the NC senate: 25 years old; must have lived in NC for at least 2 years and in the district for at least 1 year.

11. Leadership in the General Assembly
Leadership of the NC house: elects a Speaker that presides over the House and makes key appointments
Leadership of the NC senate: elects a president pro tempore who presides over the Senate and makes key appointments
Lieutenant Governor: president of the Senate, but only votes if there is a tie

12. Legislative Sessions
The General Assembly meets in the legislative building in Raleigh
In even-numbered years, they meet for a “short session”, which begins in May and usually only lasts 6 weeks
In odd-numbered years, they meet for a “long session”, from Jan-June
They may also meet for special sessions if called by the Governor

13. Lawmaking & Other Duties
The General Assembly makes 2 types of laws
general statutes: laws that apply statewide
special laws: apply only to specific counties or cities
The General Assembly also provides
legislative oversight: reviewing government operations
elect members of the University of North Carolina Board of Governors
impeaching & trying judges and members of the Council of State

14. How a Bill Becomes a Law
Anyone can draft a bill, but a member of the General Assembly must introduce the bill.
After the bill is introduced, it is assigned to a committee to be studied and revised
If it passes through the committee, it is recommended to the floor of either the Senate or the House for debate.
If the bill is passed in one house, it goes to the other house

15. If the other house changes the bill, then a conference committee resolves the difference between the versions of the bill.
Then, the bill must be signed by the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate
Finally, the bill must signed by the Governor for it to become a law.
The General Assembly can override the veto with a 60% vote for the bill

16. NC Executive Branch Head/Chief Executive: the Governor
Serves 4 year terms
Can serve only 2 consecutive terms
After 2 terms, can sit out for a term, and then run again
Governor Jim Hunt served a total of 4 terms

17. Governor’s Responsibilities
1. appoints key state officials
2. coordinates the work of most state agencies
3. administers the state budget
4. proposes a state budget and other legislation
5. grants pardons
What is this?
6. represents North Carolina when dealing with other states and the federal government

18. Qualifications
Qualifications for Governor: 30 years old, a US citizen for at least 5 years, and resident of NC for at least 2 years (immediately prior to election)
Lieutenant Governor: 4 year terms; same qualifications as Governor because automatically succeeds governor if something happens to the Governor

19. Lieutenant Governor
Serves as president of the state senate and serves on various commissions or boards
Sometimes works closely with the Governor, but not always
The Governor & Lieutenant Governor run for office separately, so they can be from different political parties
Unlike the President & VP

20. Council of State
Voters of NC also elect the heads of 8 state agencies. These state executives are called the Council of State
4 year terms; unlimited # of terms
Each Council of State agency head is responsible for deciding how to carry out the programs of the General Assembly assigned to that department.
Each member has a specific area of responsibility (almost like the President’s cabinet), but they are completely independent of the governor

21. Governor & Council of State Relationship
Positive effects: allows voters more choice; can elect people who may share their views on specific issues such as education, agriculture, etc, rather than having to elect 1 person
Negative effects: can lead to an uncoordinated state government; voters may not know enough about the agencies to make an informed choice

22. NC Judicial Branch Trial Courts: closest to the people of NC
District Courts: handle civil cases (disputes) less than $10,000 and minor crimes (misdemeanors)
Superior Courts: handle civil cases more than $10,000 and major crimes (felonies)
Those found guilty of misdemeanors (minor crimes) in a district court can request another trial in a Superior Court.
The voters of each district elect judges for 4 year terms.

23. Other Judicial Officers
Clerk of superior court: establish validity of wills and conduct sale of property to pay an owner’s debts (foreclosure)
Magistrate: issue warrants
District Attorney: represent the state in all criminal cases
Public Defender: lawyer appointed by NC for people who cannot pay for one

24. Higher NC Courts
Appellate Courts: hear disputes about whether the decision of a trial court should be overturned
NC Court of Appeals voters elect 15 appeals court judges. They hear the cases in groups of three. 2 of the 3 judges must agree to the decision.
NC Supreme Court: interprets the NC Constitution and NC laws

25. NC Supreme Court
Voters elect the chief justice and 6 associate justices for an 8-year term.
Also hears appeals of all cases involving the death penalty
A majority of the 7 justices must agree to a decision.
Their decisions are final, unless there is an issue involving the US Constitution, then it is appealed to the US Supreme Court

26. US Govt NC Govt Congress  House of Reps & Senate
President
Federal Courts:
1. district 
2. appeals  3. Supreme Court
General Assembly  House of Reps & Senate
Governor & Council of State
State Courts:
1. district 
2. superior 
3. appeals 
4. NC Supreme Court
LEGISLATIVE
EXECUTIVE
JUDICIAL