State and Local Government Quiz 5/20

Stealing from a home is breaking what kind of law

A criminal law

Do state constitutions have foreign policy?

No, the federal government’s constitution does.

Does the governor hold all executive powers for the state?

Yes, they do.

What do cities use to provide for orderly planning?

Zoning

Does sales tax have the same impact on each class?

No, they do not.

Does everyone pay the same amount of taxes regardless of what they make?

No, taxes go up as your income goes up.

An entitlement is guaranteed to anyone who qualifies (T/F)

True

Cash assistance for the poor is also called welfare (T/F)

True

A local court having limited jurisdiction over minor civil and criminal matters.

District court

Justice of Peace

An official that holds preliminary hearings for offenders of crimes, administers oaths and solemnizes marriages.

Municipal Court

A court with jurisdiction confined to a city or defined area.

Why is federalism important to state & local government.

Federalism creates a system of shared power and dual authority, preventing the absolute power of a central authority.

Pennsylvania State Government House of Representatives Info

203 seats, Democratic Party in Control, 21+ years of age, and 2 year term length.

Pennsylvania State Government Senate Info

50 seats, Republican Party in Control, 25+ years of age, and 4 year term length.

Pennsylvania State Government Executive Branch Info

Josh Shapiro is the current governor of PA, must be 30+ years old, term length of 4 years (2 consecutive terms), second in command is the lieutenant governor.

Pennsylvania State Government Judicial Branch Info

7 justices, S.C. justices have a 10 year term then a retention vote of “Yes” or “No” to stay past that term.

U.S. Federal Government House of Representatives Info

435 seats, Republican party in Control, 25+ years of age, and 2 year term length.

U.S. Federal Government Senate Info

100 seats, Republican party in Control, 30+ years of age, and 6 year term length.

U.S. Federal Government Executive Branch Info

35+ years of age, 4 years per term and 2 terms, chosen by Electoral College.

U.S. Federal Government Judicial Branch Info

Chosen by Appointment, 9 justices, serve life till retirement/death.

State Government Governors and S.C. justices are chosen by:

Popular vote

State Constitutions vs the U.S. Constitution

State Constitutions are far more elaborate.

10th Amendment

All powers not granted to the Federal Government are reserved for the states and people.

Head of the executive branch (state level)

The Governor, directly elected by the people.

Three responsibilities of the legislative branch (state level)

Approving a state’s budget, initiating tax legislation, and initiating articles of impeachment.

State supreme courts are alike to the U.S. supreme court because:

They are an appellate court that corrects errors made in lower courts.

State Amendments can be proposed by:

Convention (gathering of representatives), legislative, or initiative (citizens’ request)

Pa’s Process of Amendments

Proposed by either chamber, voted on in general assembly (simple majority), amendment is published and revoted on (simple majority), and amendment is placed on election ballot (simple majority).

The PA legislative body is also the:

PA General Assembly

Lawmaking Methods

Initiative (voters sign a petition to try and pass a law) and Referendums (A law is approved by the legislature, then the citizens)

Lawmaking Types

Criminal matters, divorce/family matters, welfare, and businesses/real estate.

Legislative process

Most bills come from citizens, legislative introduces bills (committees are used like congress), and the governor can then sign bills into law, or veto them (and have the option to line-item veto)

Non-legislative powers of the Legislative Branch include:

Executive power to approve governor appointments, Judicial Power to impeach, and Constitutional power to make/amend the State constitution.

Other state officials than the governor:

Lieutenant governor (2nd in command), Secretary of State (oversees and justifies elections, not foreign policy), State treasurer (budget), and Attorney general (legal advisor/interprets state law)

Minor Courts

Justices of the Peace, Municipal Court, and Juvenile Court

Courts of Common Pleas

Major civil/criminal cases, appeals from minor courts, and matters involving children/families.

Commonwealth (Appeal)

Issues with state/local gov and regulatory agencies, 3 or 7 judges.

Superior Courts (Appeal)

Appeals on criminal and civil cases, 3 or 9 judges.

Supreme Court (Appeal)

7 Justices, 3000+ requests per year

Judges

Popular election, 6 years for Appeal, 10 years for Supreme, Pay is determined by state law, must retire at the age of 75.

Powers that the state’s alone possess

The power to - Set up local governments, conduct elections, set up public school systems, and oversee businesses.

Did the U.S. Constitution or State Constitutions release first?

State Constitutions.

Similarities between State and U.S. Constitution

Start with preamble, includes a bill of rights (declaration of rights), and branches are established in both.

Differences between State and U.S. Constitution

State constitutions are more detailed and offer fuller protections for individual rights and freedoms, and do not include foreign policy.

What accounts for the largest amount of money that state’s spend their money on?

Education.

Over half of state revenue comes from:

Taxes: Sales/Income

Categorical Grant:

Money given from the federal government for specific purposes, come with strings attached usually.

Block Grants

Money given from the federal government for general purposes.

State Governor’s most important executive power:

Budget making role

How are a state’s executive officials different than a President’s cabinet?

State executive officials cannot select their own Cabinet members, they are chosen by vote.