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Describe the powers of state legislative branches, different ways that citizens can participate in local government and the role of local and state governments in creating public policy.

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Describe the powers of state legislative branches, different ways that citizens can participate in local government and the role of local and state governments in creating public policy.

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State and local legislatures can make policy by writing new laws, taking old laws off the books, or changing laws. This includes business regulation, controlling and regulating natural resources, protecting individual rights, and implementing health, education, and public welfare programs. State legislatures derive their powers from the state constitution. Legislatures also check and balance the executive and judicial branches. In many states, the legislature confirms some executive appointments, has the power to impeach executive and judicial officials, and oversees the work of state executive agencies and commissions (McGraw-Hill).

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How are laws created at the state and local level?

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How are laws created at the state and local level?

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Members of the government may draft bills to suggest change in the community. These drafts are given to legislative staff members in the hope their lawmaker will introduce the bill. Members discuss the bill and will recommend it to be passed or not passed. Both houses vote on the version that is acceptable. If it is passed, it goes to the governor for signature or veto. Of bills that are introduced, fewer than one-quarter become law. Locally,  legislators hold public meetings in their districts to share information about their work and to hear the views of citizens (McGraw-Hill).

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How can citizens participate in state and local government?

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How can citizens participate in state and local government?

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Citizens can participate in local government by attending board meetings, neighborhood associations, and civic groups welcome input from the locals. Many public and private groups make it their mission to educate people about how to be informed, engaged, and involved in local government. It is much easier to engage in local government than state. Citizens can participate in their state government by running for office, voting, and protesting policies they believe in (McGraw-Hill).

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How are state and local legislative branches structured?

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How are state and local legislative branches structured?

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All state governments are modeled after the federal government and consist of three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.
The Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states that all powers not granted to the federal government are reserved for the states and the people.

Local governments are structured by municipalities, boroughs, or cities/towns. These vary by size of the population. Local government takes responsibility for parks and recreation services, police and fire departments, housing, emergency medical services, courts, transportation services, and public works (McGraw-Hill).