Chapter 14: State and Local Government

Amendatory Veto

a veto that allows a governor to send a bill back to the legislature with a message requesting a specific amendment

Charter

a document that provides a framework and detailed account of local government responsibilities and areas of authority

Commission System

an elected commission that serves as the governing body within a given county

Consecutive Term Limits

caps allowing a member of the legislature to serve for only a specified period of time in either the state house or senate and forcing a wait before the member can run again

Council-Administrator System

an elected council that appoints an administrator to oversee the operation of the county government

Council-Elected Executive System

a county government in which voters elect both the members of the council and the executive

Council-Manager System

a structure of government in which elected members of the city council appoint a city manager to carry out administrative functions

Delegate Legislator

a legislator who represents the will of those who elected the legislator to office and acts in their expressed interest, even when it goes against a personal belief about what is ultimately in the constituency’s best interest

Dillon’s Rule

a legal principle that holds state power and actions above those of local governments and declares state governments to be sovereign relative to local governments

Expressed Powers

those powers specifically provided to the Congress and the president in the U.S. Constitution

Formal Powers

those powers a governor may exercise that are specifically outlined in the state constitution or state law

Home Rule

principle that provides local governments some degree of independence from the state government, typically detailed in a charter

Implied Powers

those powers not specifically detailed in the U.S. Constitution but inferred as necessary to achieve the objectives of the national government

Individualistic Political Culture

a culture that views the government as a mechanism for addressing issues that matter to individual citizens and for pursuing individual goals

Lifetime Ban

a rule that members can serve only one time in the state legislature for the number of years allotted and may not run again

Line-Item Veto

a state governor’s ability to strike out a line or individual portions of a bill while letting the remainder pass into law

Mayor-Council System

a structure of government in which both city council members and the mayor are elected by voters

Moralistic Political Culture

a culture that views the government as a means to better society and promote the general welfare

Pardon

a governor’s action to absolve someone of blame for a crime and secure their release from prison

Reduction Veto

a governor’s authority to reduce the amount budgeted in a piece of legislation

Term Limits

rules that restrict the length of time a member can serve in the state legislature

Traditionalistic Political Culture

a culture that views the government as necessary to maintaining the existing social order or the status quo

Trustee

an officeholder who believes they were elected to exercise judgment and to know best by virtue of having the time and expertise to study and understand an issue

Supremacy Clause

this resolves conflicts in favor of the national government over state government

Reserved Powers

exclusive powers granted to state governments

Fiscal Policies

the use of government spending and taxation to influence a country's macroeconomic conditions.

Oversight

refers to the power and process by which the legislative branch monitors, supervises, and investigates the executive branch, government agencies, and public policies.

Legislator Professionalism

assessed according to three key factors: state legislators’ salary, the length of time they are in session, and the number of staff at their disposal. In professional legislatures, elections tend to be more competitive and the cost of running for a seat is higher because the benefits of being elected are greater.

County Governments

help to maintain roads and bridges; courthouses and jails; parks and pools; and public libraries, hospitals, and clinics.

Municipal Governments

are responsible for providing clean water as well as sewage and garbage disposal. They must maintain city facilities, such as parks, streetlights, and stadiums. In addition, they address zoning and building regulations, promote the city’s economic development, and provide law enforcement, public water and sewers, transportation, and fire protection.