Georgia Government

Georgia Government Unit 10 Ch 2,3,4,5,6,7

State Constitution • Current constitution – started writing in 1977, and it was approved by state’s citizens in 1983 • 11 articles and is 89 pages long • Articles tell the rights, rules, regulations, and procedures of citizens • New provisions not in any other GA constitution: equal protection clause, division of the courts, and nonpartisan election of judges

Articles • Article 1: Bill of Rights • Article 2: Voting and Elections • Article 3: Legislative Branch • Article 4: Constitutional Boards and Commissions • Article 5: Executive Branch • Article 6: Judicial Branch • Article 7: Taxation and Finance • Article 8: Education • Article 9: Counties and Municipal Corporations • Article 10: Amendments to the Constitution • Article 11: Miscellaneous Provisions

Separation of Powers • 3 branches of government (Executive, Legislative, Judicial) • Legislative makes the laws • Executive executes the laws • Judicial decides if they are constitutional or not

Checks and Balances • Example of how a bill becomes a law: • If the General Assembly passes a law the Governor doesn’t agree with, he/she can veto it. • Then Congress can in turn override the veto, if they get enough votes. • The Supreme Court has the final say on if a law is constitutional or not. (IF unconstitutional – the law if null and void) • This shows all groups have to work together to make things happen.

Rights of Citizens • Both GA and U.S. Const. have a Bill of Rights. • Differences are, in GA’s, • Life, Liberty and property • Freedom of conscience (right to worship God) • Banishment and whipping as punishment as crime • Fishing and hunting

Responsibilities of Citizens • Civic responsibilities as a citizen of GA • Paying taxes • Serving on juries • Volunteering • Voting • Must be 18 • Must be a U.S. citizen • Must be a legal resident of GA and the county where you plan to vote. • ** Cannot be serving a felony offense or be ruled mentally incompetent and vote

Elections in GA • Register to vote online or county/state offices • Vote at a voting precinct • 3 types of elections to vote in: • Primary: members of Rep. or Dem. Party vote for candidates to run for special office such as governor. Held in July or August of even numbered years • General: Winners from both parties’ primaries and 3rd party members run for political office. Held the 2nd Tuesday of November on even year • Special: Used to present a special issue or to fill a vacancy • Run-off’s are held when a candidate doesn’t get 50% of more of the votes

Political Parties • The role of Political Parties is for like minded individuals who share common beliefs and ideas to work together in hopes of electing their members to political offices. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-zIl70pvbI

Legislative Branch of GA • Does what? Makes the Laws!! • Laws are created in the General Assembly • Two houses in General Assembly • House of Representatives • Senate

Organization of the House • H.O.R. (180 Members) • Speaker of the House is over the House • Elected by the Representatives • Powers include: scheduling debates, voting, and assigning House members to committees • Three other leaders • Majority Leader • Minority Leader • Floor Leader

Organization of the Senate • Senate (56 Members) • Lieutenant Governor is over the General Assembly • Elected by the Georgia voters • Powers include: promoting committee chairs

The Committee System • Most work in the General Assembly is done here • H.O.R has 36 standing committees, Senate has 26 • Each Senator or Representative has to serve on at least two or three • They can create, amend, change, or kill legislation • 4 types of committees • Standing Committee: permanent committees • Ad hoc: Committees created for special purposes • Joint Committees: made up of both H.O.R and Senate • Conference Committees: created when H.O.R and Senate have different versions of a bill. They have to compromise and make one bill to become a law.

Life of a Bill Legislator takes law to Office of Legal Council to work out any legal issues the bill may face Bill is filed with Clerk of House or Secretary of Senate Bill is assigned to a standing committee Idea of a law is introduced by legislator Bill is formally introduced (1st reading) Bill is reported favorably by committee and returned to Clerk or Secretary Bill is considered by committee (can be engrossed, killed, or amended) Bill receives 2nd reading (process differs in House and Senate) Bill is placed on a general calendar Rules committee meets and makes a rule calendar Act is then printed in Georgia’s Law Series If both houses accept it, sent to Governor for approval. (He may sign it or veto it.) Passed by 2nd house, it’s returned. If not, it’s killed or brought to conference. Bill has 3rd reading (debate and voting now) If approved, bill is sent to other house Presiding officer calls up bills for calendar

Executive Branch • Largest branch of govt b/c so many state agencies fall under this branch • Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Superintendent of Schools, Commissioner of Insurance, Commissioner of Agriculture, Commissioner of Labor all fall under this branch

Departments of Executive Branch • Education • Responsible for overseeing public education • Primary purpose is to see all education laws are obeyed • Public Safety • Created to protect GA’s citizens and their property • Transportation • GDOT is responsible for planning, constructing, and maintaining GA roads

Departments of Exec. Branch cont. • Economic Development • Responsible for bringing economic development to the state • Natural Resources • Created to administer and enforce the laws related to GA’s natural resources, mostly rivers and lakes. • Also responsible for enforcing fishing, hunting, and boating laws

Local Government – County Government • GA has 2nd most counties in U.S. • 1st 8 counties were created in 1777 • 1983 GA Constitution set a limit for counties in GA • 159 total counties, each having at least 1 representative • Counties serve functions including providing courts of law, holding elections, building and repairing county roads, and administering welfare

County Government Organization • Sheriff – enforces law, maintains peace • Tax Commissioner – receives tax returns, maintains tax returns, pays taxes • Clerk of Superior Court – primary record keeper for the county • Judge of Probate Court – oversees property deeds, marriage licenses, wills, and supervises elections • County Commissioner/Board of Commissioners – power to adopt ordinances, daily operation of government

City Government • Over 500 cities and towns in GA, have to be approved by General Assembly (ex: Harlem and Grovetown) • Established by a Municipal Charter, a written document which sets up a gov’t structure and include what kind of government the city will have, it’s boundaries, and the powers it will have. • A city may provide fire and police protection, schools, taxes, water, and streets.

Forms of City Government

Special Purpose District • Are government entities created to serve a specific function for the state or community • Purpose is to benefit the well-being of people • Examples: MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority), local school systems, local housing authorities

Georgia Government