1. Bell Ringer What were positive aspects of the Mock Supreme Court activity and how can the activity be improved? List at least one for each!

2. State and Local Governments LAST UNIT EVER!

3. State Constitutions Today State Constitution Principles Same basic principles Protections of civil rights Governmental structure Governmental powers and processes Constitutional change Miscellaneous provisions

5. State Legislative Branch

6. What is the Structure? Basic function of legislature is to translate the public will into public policy Most State legislatures are bicameral An ideal size: not too many and not so few ◦ Idaho: 35 Senators and 70 Representatives (2 for each district) Legislators elected from districts drawn by the legislature every 10 years on the basis of population equality

7. Who can be a Legislator? State constitutions define legislator requirements ◦ IDAHO: 21, U.S. citizen & live in district 1 year Two or four-year terms The typically low compensation keeps many qualified people from running for these offices ◦ Idaho: $16,438 per/year Annual legislative sessions, and special sessions ◦ Idaho: Closest date to Jan. 9th

8. What are the Powers? Can pass any law that does not conflict with federal law or with the State constitution Legislatures have the powers to: ◦ Tax, spend & borrow $$$ ◦ Regulate commerce ◦ Establish courts & define crimes and punishments ◦ Maintain public schools

9. How are they Organized? PRESIDING OFFICER Lower House: Speaker Senate: Either lieutenant governor or a member chosen by the senate Job of Presiding Officer: ◦ Refer bills to committee ◦ Appoints committee members ◦ Recognizes members to speak on the floor and interprets ◦ Applies procedural rules Scott Bedke (R) Brent Hill (R)

10. How are they Organized? COMMITTEE SYSTEM Committees are set up by subject Committee members determine which bills reach the floor They amend and rewrite bills introduced by members of the legislature

11. Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee (JFAC) Idaho budget and appropriations ◦ Most streamlined and efficient state budget systems Reviews executive budget and budget requests from departments Submits report of each session about legislative activities

12. Main Sources of Revenue Property Taxes Income Taxes Sales Tax School Bonds Levies Fees Revenue Sources

13. Expenditures Top three priorities Education Healthcare Transportation

15. The Legislative Process Bills introduced by Legislator: ◦ Written by: ◦ Officers and agencies ◦ Interest groups ◦ Lobbyists ◦ Private individuals Direct Legislation: ◦ Initiative: ◦ Voters propose amendments or propose statutes ◦ Involves submitting signed petitions ◦ Referendum: ◦ Legislative measure decided by the State’s voters for final approval or rejection

16. State Executive Branch

17. The Governorship Governor: Chief Executive of State ◦ Governor = State’s President ◦ Lieutenant Gov. = State’s V.P. Idaho Qualifications: ◦ 30 years old ◦ U.S. Citizen ◦ Resident for 2 years Term: 4 years Brad Little C.L. “Butch” Otter

18. State Judicial Branch

19. The Jury System Jury Duty – “Duty and Honor” The Grand Jury Determines if evidence against a person is sufficient to indict 6 to 23 persons Secret meetings Majority opinion The Petit Jury Hears the evidence in a case 12 jurors Unanimous or by a large majority

20. Local Government Structure State governments organized by: ◦ Counties, towns, and school d istricts Small groups and citizens have larger power in voting

21. Typical County Government Structure MERIDIAN

22. Commission Government Structure

23. Council-Manager Government Structure

24. Local Government Structure Mayor: Chief Executive of City Mayor-Council: ◦ Oldest and most widely used type of city government BOISE MERIDIAN Tammy de Weerd Dave Bieter