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PA Government

PA Government. Civics – Chapter 13. Legislative Branch (General Assembly). Federal level: Congress State level: General Assembly The General Assembly is bicameral (2 houses) State House of Representatives (203) Senate Senate (50) Districts are all equal based on POPULATION

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PA Government

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  1. PA Government Civics – Chapter 13

  2. Legislative Branch (General Assembly) • Federal level: Congress • State level: General Assembly • The General Assembly is bicameral (2 houses) • State House of Representatives (203) • Senate Senate (50) • Districts are all equal based on POPULATION • Senators must be at least 25 years old • Reps. must be at least 21 years old

  3. PA State Senate Districts

  4. Our State Senator and Representative • State Senator • John Eichelberger • Republican • State Representative • Rick Geist • Republican

  5. How a PA bill becomes law • Bill-making process very similar to US Congress • Bill starts out as idea • Introduced and drafted in committee • Debated on floor of one house • Sent to other house and debated • Revised in conference committee • Sent to Governor

  6. One Important Note • The PA legislature cannot make any laws that go against federal laws or the Constitution. • If so, the US Supreme Court can eliminate them!

  7. Budget Issue for States • Recently, many state legislatures (inc. PA) do not have the money to fund projects • Three possibilities: • Raise taxes to get more money • Cut programs to save money • Borrow money from federal government

  8. The PA Executive Branch • Head of exec branch = governor • Current governor is Tom Corbett (R) • Qualifications • 30 years of age • Resident of PA for 5 years • American citizen • If governor leaves office, the lieutenant governor takes over (like VP)

  9. Governor’s Responsibilities • Chief executive – in charge of PA agencies and departments • Chief legislator – proposes laws and signs or vetoes legislation by Gen. Assembly • Commander in chief of PA national guard • Party Leader (currently for Republicans)

  10. Other roles of Governor • Pardon = forgiveness from crime • Commute = reduction in prison sentence • Parole = early release from prison • Can be made by governor • Usually done by committees of prison officials

  11. The PA Judicial Branch • Jurisdiction deals only with Pennsylvania Law • Can be grouped into two types of groups: • Higher Courts (criminal/civil cases + appeals) • General trial courts • Appellate courts • State Supreme Court • Lower Courts (minor offenses) • Municipal courts • Traffic courts, juvenile courts, magistrate courts

  12. PA vs. U.S. Supreme Court • The PA Supreme Court is NOT necessarily the last stop • The case can then go to the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC. • Usually involves violations of US Constitution or disputes with other states

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