Local Government (Unit 7, Lesson 1) Flashcards
Three levels of government
local, state, and federal
What would happen if each level ignored the other?
life would become confusing. City governments might pass laws that conflict with state laws. State governments might ignore federal laws. Citizens would not know which laws to obey.
Supreme law of the land
US Constitution
Relationship of state government to Constitution
All levels of government must obey it. State constitutions, in turn, set up rules that govern the people of each state. These state constitutions must not take away any rights in the Constitution.
How do governments compete?
governments compete for citizens’ tax dollars. A person may have to pay income taxes to city, state and federal governments. Residents may have to pay property taxes to their local governments. State and local governments may collect sales taxes. States and cities compete with each other to attract industry, too.
States are first divided into this
Counties
Counties began here
The South
Plantation owners would meet here
County Seat
Today counties help states by
collecting taxes, supervising elections and enforcing laws, provide social services and create districts for courts
Head of the county government
County Board
Smaller units in the county
Towns, villages, townships
What is a special district?
formed as needed, for libraries, parks, sewage disposal, schools, etc.
A city is the largest type of this
Municipality
Common city problems and responsibilities
such as dealing with health, education, and safety. It must keep traffic flowing smoothly and police on alert to prevent crime and to capture lawbreakers. Trash collection, street lighting, transportation systems, water supply, fire protection, sewage systems – all these and hundreds of other services are the daily business of city governments. Cities also help support libraries, museums, parks, universities, hospitals, and musical groups.
This is how the state legislature establishes city governments
Charter
A charter does this
This is a basic plan for a local governmental unit that defines its powers, responsibilities, and organization.
Home rule
Under home rule a city has the power to write and amend its own charter to deal with local problems.
This is the oldest and most common form of city government
mayor-council plan
The lawmaking body under the mayor-council plan
City Council
Chief executive of the city government
mayor
Districts under mayor-council plan
Wards
How members of council are elected under mayor-council plan
Each ward elects one member
Describe the weak-mayor plan
Here, the city council holds more power than the mayor. For example, the council appoints the heads of city departments. These heads report directly to the city council. In addition, the mayor must obtain the consent of the council to spend money. The weak-mayor plan often results in conflicts between the mayor and the council.
Describe the strong-mayor plan
Under the strong-mayor plan, the mayor has chief responsibility for running the city’s government.
The mayor appoints most of the city officials and can fire them. The mayor can veto bills passed by the council. It is the mayor’s responsibility to make the city budget. When the council has approved a budget, the mayor must see that the city’s money is spent properly.