Civics vocab 4

Initiative

When a law or constitutional amendment is proposed and passed by the citizens of a state. It bypasses the legislature and governor, but it is subject to review by the state courts.

Referendum

Asks citizens to confirm or repeal a decision made by the government.

Lieutenant governor

The executive officer of a state who is next in rank to a governor and who takes the governor's place in case of disability or death.

Line-item veto

The power of a president, governor, or other elected executive to reject individual provisions of a bill

Council of State

A governmental body whose specific functions vary significantly by country, often serving as a cabinet, an advisory council to a head of state, or an executive body. (NC- 10 members- gov plus heads of departments)

Ordinance

A piece of legislation enacted by a municipal authority.

Municipality

A city or town that has corporate status and local government.

Local charter

A document that gives a city or town the power to govern

Special district

a local government that is restricted to a particular function

Utilities

An organization supplying the community with electricity, gas, water, or sewerage

Zoning

The classification of land according to restrictions placed on its use and development.

Property tax

A tax on real estate or tangible personal property paid by the property owner.

Intergovernmental revenue

Funds transferred from one level of government to another.

Grant

A sum of money given by a government or other organization for a particular purpose.

Home rule

allows cities to write their own charters, choose their own type of government, and manage their own affairs