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Unit 5. State and Local Governments The State of Ohio acts within the framework of the U.S. Constitution and extends powers and functions to local governments. . Section 1. The Ohio Constitution. Content Statement.
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Unit 5 State and Local Governments The State of Ohio acts within the framework of the U.S. Constitution and extends powers and functions to local governments.
Section 1 The Ohio Constitution
Content Statement The Ohio Constitution was drafted in 1851 to address difficulties in governing the state of Ohio.
State Constitutions--Each state has own Constitution • Types of Constitutions • Oklahoma: schools must “provide for the teaching of the elements of agriculture, horticulture, stock feeding, and domestic science” • Each state has laws that are important to that state • Some are long, some short • Many have been revised many times • They change with the times • A certain event forces the change • Ex: end of slavery
Ohio—2 Constitutions • I. Constitution #1: The original • A. Legislative Branch: General Assembly • Had all the power • Key judicial leaders chosen by GA • Most executive leaders chose by GA • B. Executive Branch: Governor • Had very little power • Was elected by people (most other executive officers were picked by the GA) • C. Judicial Branch: Supreme Court • Supreme Court required to meet in each county once/yr • Tough to fulfill its obligations • ***State had a lot of debt, so changes needed to be made.
Ohio—2 Constitutions • I. Constitution #2: 1851 • A. Legislative Branch: General Assembly • Had a lot of power • Key judicial leaders now chosen by the people • Executive leaders now chosen by the people • Had to make laws that would be the same for the entire state • B. Executive Branch: Governor • Still had very little power • Was elected by people (most other executive officers were picked by the GA) • C. Judicial Branch: Supreme Court AND DISTRICT COURTS • District courts were added • Reduced the burden of the Supreme Court • ***The new constitution instituted debt limitations, banned poll taxes and required that tax funds be used only for their stated purpose.
Link to Ohio’s Constitution Ohio State Constitution
Section 2 Structure of State and Local Government
Content Statement As a framework for the state, the Ohio Constitution complements the federal structure of government in the United States.
General Info • A. The government of the State of Ohio fits within the federal structure of government. • B. The Ohio Constitution must be consistent with the basic principles outlined in the U.S. Constitution (Article VI). • C. The Ohio Constitution outlines the powers and functions of state government and provides the context for local government in the state.
I. State Legislative Branch • Terms • Senators: most states—4 year terms • House: most states—2 year terms • Sessions • State legislator used to be part time—met every other year • Now, most full time and meet every year • Qualifications • Serve in the district they serve • Senators: most states—25 years old • House: most states—21 years old • Most are younger than federal Congressmen—it’s the beginning step of the political career ladder. Politicians get their start at the state level • Salaries • Varies state to state • Some $100,000 or more • Some only a few thousand/year • Leadership • All states (except Nebraska) have 2 houses • Each house has leaders who • Assign bills to committees • Make committee assignments • Control floor debates • Committees • Perform the main legislative work of the states (just like Congress) • How a Bill Becomes a Law???—same procedure as in Congress, only the Governor signs the bill instead of the President • Committee staffs have grown substantially over the years to help do the work of the legislators • ***OHIO GENERAL ASSEMBLY CAN OVERRIDE GOVERNOR VETO WITH 3/5 VOTE FROM EACH CHAMBER
II. State Executive Branch • *Governor—each state has one. He is the elected chief executive. ***All elections for the Ohio executive branch occur in even-numbered, non-presidential years. • Governors Qualifications and Terms • Be a U.S. citizen • Resided in the state for a certain amount of time • Usually must be 30 years old • Terms: most serve 4 year terms • Governors Salaries • Varies state to state • Most between $100,000 and 200,000 • Also get travel and business expenses • Governor’s Roles • Initiate bills • Prepare budgets • Setting an agenda for the state • Education and welfare reform • Chief ambassadors—try to lure business to the state • Governor’s Powers • Started off having little power (founding fathers did not want a powerful gov.) • Governors usually do not have power to appoint • Can line-item veto—only veto part of a bill he/she does not like, but keep the rest
III. State Judicial Branch • *Trial Courts • District attorney or public prosecutor is in charge of investigating and prosecuting • Usually need grand jury approval to take case to court • Next, a petit (trial) jury hears the case • This jury is selected from a jury pool—a group of people who might be chosen to serve in a trial • Appeals Courts • Decisions can be appealed to state appeals court • Highest court of appeals is the state Supreme Court • Only appeal to federal court if involves a possible violation of the U.S. Constitution or other federal law • Special Courts • Have limited jurisdiction, or handle only certain types of cases • Examples • Family courts (divorce, child custody) • Probate courts (estates of deceases people) • Juvenile courts (youth cases) • Traffic courts • The Judges • County trial court judges are usually elected • Most have limited terms—6 to 10 years. IN OHIO, TERMS ARE 6 YEARS!
Section 3 Responsibilities of the Citizens
Content Statement Individuals in Ohio have a responsibility to assist state and local governments as they address relevant and often controversial problems that directly affect their communities
How to get involved • A. Ohioans can assist government in addressing problems affecting the state and local communities. • 1. Involvement at the state level can range from • a. paying taxes • b. serving in the National Guard • c. running for state office • d. voting • e. signing petitions to place issues on the ballot. • 2. Involvement at the local level can range from • a. organizing civic activities • b. attending meetings of local boards and commissions • c. joining community watch groups • d. serving in a volunteer fire department.
State Governments and the People • Initiatives: a procedure for proposing and enacting state or local laws • Need a certain minimum # of voters to sign a petition backing the bill proposed by the initiative • Then, the bill is voted for by the people in the next election • Most states have initiative • *SEE EXAMPLES IN TEXTBOOK BOTTOM PAGE 463 • Referendum: a popular vote on a proposal that has already been considered by the legislature • A controversial bill can be given to the voters to vote on instead of the legislative branch OR • The voters can overturn a law that has already been passed • EX: Senate Bill 5 in Ohio in 2011 • Recall • A special election to remove an elected official from office before the end of his or her term • Need a certain minimum # of voters to sign a petition • Recalls are rare • People already voted that person into office • If official did something terrible, they usually resign
Constitutional convention • According to the Ohio Constitution, every 20 years, the General Assembly must ask voters if they want to hold a constitutional convention
Link to Ohio state government page http://ohio.gov/
Section 4 Local government
Links to Local government cantonohio.gov/ http://cantontwp-oh.gov/