Psci 2010 - State and Local Governments

State and Local Governments

Shelby Jeane

PSCI 2010

Per the tenth amendment in the Constitution, all powers not granted to the federal government are reserved for the states and the people. Like the federal government, state governments consist of three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. Although the three-branch structure is not required, the Constitution mandates that all states uphold a “republican form” of government.

In every state, the people vote for their governor who is the head of the executive branch. The lieutenant governor, the attorney general, the secretary of state, and the auditors and commissioners are other leaders in the executive branch that are voted in by the people which happens in most states. Not all states executive structures look the same because the states reserve the right to organize in any way.

All of the fifty states have legislatures made up of elected representatives, and they consider matters brought forth by the governor of introduced by its members to create legislation that becomes law. Approving a state’s budget and initiating tax legislation and articles of impeachment are some other things the legislation does. It is part of a system of checks and balances among the three branches that mirrors the federal system and prevents any branch from abusing its power. The states have a bicameral legislature that is Mae up of two chambers, a smaller upper house and a larger lower house. Together they make state laws and fulfill other governing responsibilities. The Senate is the smaller upper house and its members serve four years. The House of Representatives is the larger lower house and its members serve two years.

State judicial branches are usually led by the state supreme court, which hears appeals from lower-level state courts. Court structures and judicial appointments or elections are determined either by legislation or the state constitution. The Supreme Court focuses on correcting errors made in lower courts and therefore holds no trials. Rulings made in state supreme courts are normally binding; however, when questions are raised regarding consistency with the U.S. Constitution, matters may be appealed directly to the United States Supreme Court.

Local governments generally include two tiers, counties, also known as boroughs in Alaska and parishes in Louisiana, and municipalities, or cities/towns. In some states, counties are divided into townships. Municipalities can be structured in many ways, as defined by state constitutions, and are called, variously, townships, villages, boroughs, cities, or towns. Various kinds of districts also provide functions in local government outside county or municipal boundaries, such as school districts or fire protection districts.