State and Local Legislative Branches by Diana Hallak https://padlet.com/diana_hallak/ptlfpm10gk2l 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. en-us 2016-12-05 02:14:42 UTC 2016-12-05 02:38:44 UTC hello@padlet.com How are state legislative branches structured? diana_hallak https://padlet.com/diana_hallak/ptlfpm10gk2l/wish/141643663 Every state has a state legislature, which passes laws, sets the state budget, establishes state taxes and spending priorities, and acts as a check on the power of the governor and the bureaucracy.

Most state legislatures meet for only part of the year. Some meet once every other year. Most state legislators are not paid a high salary; thus, many state legislators also have other jobs.

State legislatures are known by various names and come in many sizes, but most are organized like Congress with two houses/ chambers. The size of state legislatures varies widely and is not determined by the size of the state.
]]> 2016-12-05 02:18:42 UTC https://padlet.com/diana_hallak/ptlfpm10gk2l/wish/141643663 How do state legislatures make bills and pass laws? diana_hallak https://padlet.com/diana_hallak/ptlfpm10gk2l/wish/141643945 The ideas for laws come from many sources. For example, a bill may be drafted by someone who works for the governor or other state executive branch official. Other times, a bill may be suggested by constituents or by representatives of interest groups.

Regardless of who suggested or drafted a bill, it must be introduced by a member of the legislature. A bill can be introduced in either house.

 The presiding officer sends the bill to the committee that specializes in the bill’s subject matter. The committee may rewrite the bill or modify it and then sends it back to the full house with a recommendation to be passed or not passed.  If it is passes both houses, it goes to the governor for signature or veto.

Legislators spend time meeting with constituents, both at their office in the state capital and in their districts. Legislators hold public meetings in their districts to share information about their work and to hear the views of citizens.]]> 2016-12-05 02:22:29 UTC https://padlet.com/diana_hallak/ptlfpm10gk2l/wish/141643945 How can citizens participate in the political process at the local level? diana_hallak https://padlet.com/diana_hallak/ptlfpm10gk2l/wish/141644257 Participating in local government is easier than it is at other levels of government simply because of proximity. It is relatively easy for most people to observe and participate in a local school board meeting or a meeting of the county government. Most local civic groups, neighborhood associations, and citizen advisory groups welcome input and participation from members of the community.

]]> 2016-12-05 02:27:05 UTC https://padlet.com/diana_hallak/ptlfpm10gk2l/wish/141644257 How can citizens participate in state government? diana_hallak https://padlet.com/diana_hallak/ptlfpm10gk2l/wish/141644640 Legislators spend time meeting with constituents, both at their office in the state capital and in their districts. Legislators hold public meetings in their districts to share information about their work and to hear the views of citizens.]]> 2016-12-05 02:32:28 UTC https://padlet.com/diana_hallak/ptlfpm10gk2l/wish/141644640 How are local governments structured and how do they make laws? diana_hallak https://padlet.com/diana_hallak/ptlfpm10gk2l/wish/141644738 The United States has four common types of local government:
counties: the largest political subdivisions of a state. For the most part, county boards decide on the county budget, taxes, and zoning codes, which are rules that specify how land in particular parts of a city or county can be used.
townships:  units of local government found in some states, usually a subdivision of a county. The services of township governments vary from state to state.
municipalities:  a bit more generic and can be any subdivision of a state—besides a county—and can have any number of residents and any geographic area.
special districts: units of local government that deal with a specific function, such as education, firefighting, trash removal, water purity and supply, or transportation. Special districts are the most common type of local government, and they deal with a wide variety of special services.
Most state governments limit the taxing and borrowing powers of local governments. Some states also have laws that limit how much these local governments may spend. Creating a special district that is not subject to such limitations becomes a practical solution for local leaders whose budgets are strained.
tribal governments enact laws for their Native American populations.]]> 2016-12-05 02:34:09 UTC https://padlet.com/diana_hallak/ptlfpm10gk2l/wish/141644738