Ch. 13-14 State Government – Study Guide

Key Terms / Key Ideas
Governor[TB 369-373]
  • Leader of the state executive branch
Supremacy Clause (Article VI)[TB 357]
  • Constitution and all federal laws prevail over state laws when there is a conflict
  • Limits state power
10th Amendment[TB 357]
  • All powers not given to the federal government are reserved for the states
Reserved Powers[TB 357]
  • Powers that the Constitution does not give to the national gov’t and that are kept by the states
Concurrent Powers[TB 356-357]
  • Powers shared by the state and federal gov’t
  • Not mentioned in the Constitution
Redistricting[TB 365]
  • The process of redrawing legislative districts
Federalism (federal system – Article IV)[TB 354-355]
  • The sharing/dividing of power between the federal (national) gov’t and the states
Census[TB 365]
  • Population count
  • Census results are the basis for drawing district boundaries (relates to redistricting and malapportionment TB 365)
City Charter[TB 387]
  • A document outlining the authority of a local government (similar to the idea of a city constitution)
County Board of Commissioners
  • An elected member of the legislative branch of a county government
/ *Know the difference between intra- (within) and inter- (across)
List the reserved powers[TB 356 – Venn Diagram]
  • Regulate intrastate commerce
  • Establish local gov’t systems
  • Administer elections
  • Establish public schools
List the concurrent powers*[TB 356 – Venn Diagram]
  • Levy taxes
  • Borrow money
  • Spend for general welfare
  • Establish courts
  • Write and enforce laws
List the steps that are taken for a bill to become a state law [The Great State-iCivics]
  • Bill isintroduced by a state legislator Sent to Committee to be studied Debated andVoted on by the full chamberSent to the other houseSent to CommitteeDebated and Voted on by the full chamberSent to the Governor to sign into law or veto
How are schools funded?[TB 368]
  • State gov’t uses property taxes to provide services such as education/schools
  • The Constitution does not mention education, therefore the states must provide for this service
Review/compare the 6 roles of the governor to the roles of the President.
  • President: Chief Executive (most important job), Chief Diplomat, Head of State, Commander-in-Chief, Legislative Leader, Economic Leader, Party Leader [TB 234-236]
  • Governor: Chief Executive (most important job), Ceremonial Leader (similar to Head of State), Legislative Leader, Judicial Leader, Commander-in-Chief, Party Leader [TB 370]
What is the governor’s primary role?[TB 370]
  • A governor’s main job, like the President, is to head the executive branch of the gov’t
  • Chief Executive responsibilities: carrying out state laws; appointing officials; preparing the state budget
What do state appellate courts do?[TB 375]
  • The appellate court decides whether errors in applying the law were made in the lower court
Explain how the 10th Amendment gives powers to the state (hint: reserved powers)?[TB 159, 357]
  • Powers not given to the federal gov’t by the Constitution belong to the states/people
  • Protects the states/people from an all-powerful federal gov’t
List all the limits of the state’s powers [TB 357]
  • Cannot declare war
  • Cannot issue their own money
  • Cannot impose taxes on imports
  • Cannot make treaties with another country
  • Cannot take away rights of their citizens without due process of law
The U.S. Constitution sets up what type of government?[TB 359-chart]
  • Establishes state government
The state constitution sets up what type of government?[TB 359-chart]
  • Establishes local government
What are the 3 branches of state government and who leads each?
  • Legislative – State Legislature (House/Senate)
  • Executive – Governor
  • Judicial – State Supreme Court
List services that local governments provide their citizens.
  • Sewer, water, trash, police, fire dept., city/county road maintenance, etc.
What is the main role of the county board of commissioners?
  • Passing city ordinances (city laws/rules)