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What are the 2 subnational govts?
state
local
What are 2 characteristics of subnational governments?
revitalization
diversity
What are the 3 things that a state govt has?
Constitution
governor
legislature with 2 houses
What are the 2 steps to amending the state constitutions?
1. legislature passes a resolution by 2/3 votes
2. a majority vote in the next election ratifies it
What are two factors that can cause changes in state legislatures?
movement from rural to metropolitan
census
Congressionalization
the movement to make the campaign for state legislators more important/attractive
What type of government has been the norm for state legislatures this decade?
divided govt
True or False: Turn over rates are generally high for state legislators.
True
What is the governor's main constitutional responsibility?
administering public policy
What are the governor's 2 most important powers?
veto
executive budget
What are the 3 personal powers of a governor?
character
leadership style
persuasive abilities
Lieutenant Governor
2nd highest executive official in state govt; presides over the state senate
Name at least three other executive offices in state govt.
attorney general
treasurer
secretary
auditor
What are the 3 functions of the state legislature?
make laws
appropriate money
oversee executive branch
Legislative Professionalism
reforms designed to improve the efficiency/effectiveness of state legislatures
What 3 legislative reforms have taken place in state govts?
lengthening of legislative sessions
increase legislators' salaries
increase in staff
The organization of state courts reflects what 2 influences?
model set by federal courts
judicial preferences of state's citizens
Intermediate Court of Appeal
reduces the pressure on the state supreme court of the many routine appeals of trial court decisions
Merit Plan
method for selecting state judges in which governors appoint persons based on the recommendations of a committee
Direct Democracy
govt controlled directly by citizens who have a direct impact on policymaking and political process by means of the voting booth
Initiative
process permitted in some states whereby voters may place proposed changes to state law on the ballot if sufficient signatures are obtained on petitions calling for such a vote
Referendum
hybrid of legislative and direct policymaking; state level method of direct legislation that gives voters a chance to approve/disapprove legislation/constitutional amendments
Recall
allows voters to call a special election for a specific official in an attempt to throw him/her out of office before their term is up
Dillon's Rule
local govts are subservient to state govts; local govts only have the powers given to them by the states
Where do local govts receive their power to operate from in the Constitution?
reserve powers under the 10th amendment
Local Charter
an organizational statement and grant of authority from a state to a local govt
Home Rule
practice by which municipalities are permitted by the states to write charters and change them within limits
What does the sheer number of local govts do to democracy?
It creates voter overload and ignorance which defeats the democratic purpose of citizen control
5 Types of Local Government
1. counties - administrative arm of state govt run by county commission
2. townships - administrative extensions of state and county govt
3. municipalities - originally run by town meetings; provide local programs/services
4. school districts
5. special districts - provide only a single service
3 Types of Municipal Governments
mayor-council
council-manager
commission
Council of Governments
councils in many areas of the country where officials from various localities meet to discuss mutual problems and plan join, cooperative action
Sunset Legislation
periodically reviewing agencies to control the growth of govt and eliminate unneeded programs