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Governors represent their states at important events, state fairs, press conferences, and ribbon cutting events for new state buildings or highways.

Governors address the people of their states in times of emergency or celebration.

Governors are also leaders of their state-level political parties.

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Governors’ executive powers include two basic components: the power to carry out the law and the power to supervise the executive branch of state government.

Governors can:

issue executive orders that create a task force to study issues

declare a “state of emergency” after a natural or man-made disaster.

In most states the govenor has power to:

appoint the top officials for executive departments and agencies.

appoint some state court judges.

issue pardons for state crimes.

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Governors have legislative power without being part of the legislative branch.

Governors can and have the power to:

propose legislation to the state legislature

send messages to the state legislature

present new programs as part of the state budget.

rouse public opinion to support these legislative proposals.

to call a special session of the legislature.

have veto power over an entire bill passed by their state legislatures.

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Commander in Chief of the State National Guard

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Commander in Chief of the State National Guard

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All governors can exercise military powers through their role as commander in chief of the state National Guard.

State constitutions allow the governor to use the National Guard to maintain law and order during state emergencies.

In case of war or another national emergency, the president can activate the National Guard.

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Governors try to steer their state’s economy by promoting tourism and other key industries for their states.

They try to obtain grants from the national government for their states’ schools, highways, and urban areas.

They have full responsibility for preparing the state budget.

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The mayor-council form follows the traditional concept of executive power belonging to an elected mayor, and legislative power belonging to an elected council.

The success of the mayor-council form of government depends to a large extent on the individual who serves as mayor.

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City Managers in the Council-Manager System

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City Managers in the Council-Manager System

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A city manager carries out the council’s policies and serves as chief administrator.

The city manager is appointed by the council and acts as chief executive by:

appointing and firing municipal workers

preparing the budget

running the day-to-day affairs of the city.

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The commission form of government combines executive and legislative powers in an elected commission.

Each commissioner heads a specific department and performs all the executive duties related to that department.

One of the commissioners usually has the title of mayor.

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a governor must be at least 30 years old, an American citizen, and a state resident for five or more years.

governors must also possess certain political credentials and leadership experience

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Qualifications of Mayors or City Managers

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Qualifications of Mayors or City Managers

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a minimum age for mayor at somewhere between 18 and 25.

Mayoral candidates are required to live for at least one year in the town or city, and if they are elected they must continue living there for the duration of their term of office.

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Most governors serve four-year terms.

Many states also limit the number of terms a governor may serve in office.

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In most states, the process of electing a governor has two  steps.

an individual must gain the nomination of a major political party

after he or she is chosen, the nominee runs in the general election.

Most states’ lieutenant governors are also elected by the voters.

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Local governments use zoning to regulate the way land and buildings are used.

Zoning boards can:

regulate growth

preserve neighborhoods

prevent the decline of land values.

rule that certain districts be used only for homes, businesses, or parks.

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Home renovation projects include rewiring electricity, installing new plumbing, and rebuilding floors.

The federal government has also provided low-interest loans to local housing authorities.

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Many Americans have been discriminated against when trying to rent or purchase a home.

Banks often refused to provide bank loans to anyone but the wealthy to build and buy homes in many suburbs.

The courts have consistently ruled that discrimination in housing is illegal.

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One essential duty for city leaders is maintaining infrastructure.

Often, public attention is drawn to infrastructure problems after tragedy strikes.

Maintaining a sound transportation network is a serious challenge for local governments.

Local governments spend millions of dollars each year to maintain more than three million miles of streets.

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Local governments make vital decisions regarding water service.

The threat of water pollution and water shortages has prompted some local governments to create special water district arrangements.

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Local government is responsible for sewage disposal.

Some local governments use garbage-processing plants to dispose of the community’s solid wastes.

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State governments are also involved in many activities related to the environmental health of their citizens.

Today, state governments are very concerned about pollution.

Many states require industries to secure permits if their wastes pollute the air or water.

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State governments have a special obligation to regulate certain kinds of business.

States can give public utility companies the right to supply service in the state or in a part of the state.

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States provide workers’ compensation.

Workers who lose their jobs may receive unemployment compensation under programs that are set up and regulated by their states.

Workers in all states have the right to join unions.

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Governors often travel in this country or abroad to bring businesses to their states, using television ads, billboards, brochures, and newspaper ads to promote travel or business opportunities.

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State governments establish local school districts.

The state regulates the taxes that school districts can levy or the amount of money they can borrow.

The federal government provides about 10 percent of funding for public schools.

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In the area of health, states license doctors and dentists, regulate the sale of drugs, and require vaccines for schoolchildren.

State health agencies provide:

care for mothers and their newborn children

treatment of contagious diseases and chronic illnesses

mental health care,

public dental clinics

immunization against communicable and other diseases.

laboratory services to local health departments that cannot afford separate facilities.

Medicaid is a program that is jointly funded by the state and federal governments.

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States both administer federal programs and finance and administer state-level programs with some support from local governments.

States administer the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

States can shape their TANF programs as long as they target four goals:

to support needy families so their children can be cared for at home

to help parents in need by training them for jobs and successful parenting

to reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancy

to support two-parent families overall

States also have their own social welfare programs.

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local governments have created recreational and cultural programs including:

swimming

dancing

arts and crafts programs.

baseball

football

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State police are normally limited in their functions.

The state police have investigative powers in many states.

Local police departments handle most day-to-day patrolling, emergency response, and investigation of crimes.

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In small towns, volunteers usually staff the fire department.

In large cities, professional, full-time fire departments provide the necessary protection.