State and local government Flashcards
What is federalism?
the division of power between the state and national government
Which level of government in our federal system is supreme?
national government?
What is the definition of state?
a political unit that has the power to govern itself
what are some powers that only belong to the federal government?
coin/print money
provide for military treaties
trade
what are reserved powers?
left to the states
what are examples of reserved powers?
licenses
healthcare
police/emergency services
education
what are concurrent powers?
shared between national and state government
what is an example of concurrent powers?
taxation
what amendment made reserved powers?
10th
conducts foreign policy (treaties)
National or state?
National
regulate commerce (trade)
National or state?
national
provides for common defense (military)
National or state?
national
promotes public health
National or state?
state
safety
National or state?
state
education
National or state?
state
welfare
National or state?
state
what are concurrent powers?
powers that both state and national government have
what establishes VA’s state government?
The Virginia Constitution
how is power separated in VA?
among the legislative, executive, and judicial branch of the state government
what is VA’s legislative branch called?
the general assembly
what are the two chambers in general assembly?
house of delegates
Virginia senate
how often does the legislature (GA) meet?
yearly on the second Wednesday of January
meet for 60 days in even number years
meet for 30 days in odd number years (sometimes is 45)
How many members are in the VA Senate and House of delagates?
VA senate- 40 members
House of delegates - 100 members
how long are VA Senate and house of delagates terms?
four years for senators
two years for delegates
how are senators and delegates elected?
by citizens in their respective house and senate districts
what is the job of our elected officials in the VA general assembly?
write laws and take action in response to problems
who can influence the general assembly?
individuals and interest groups
what are some examples of the main issues that law makers work on?
education
public health
enviornment
state budget
revenue
licensing
what are the steps for how a bill becomes a law in VA general assembly?
Introduce bill in either house
working in committees
debating the bill on the floor
voting on the bill
sending the bill to the other house
repeating the process in the other house
sening the bill to governoe to sign or veto
what is the job of the governor?
appointing members of cabinat to oversee parts of government
how long is the term for the governor?
four years
what does the governor´s cabinet do ?
administering and enforcing laws
creating regulations to monior buissnesses and stat economy to provide services
who does the governor’s cabinet include?
cabinet secretaries
department agencies
commissions
regulatory boards
how can the executive branch influence policy making?
the governor can propose the biennial budget for the government
governor can propose legislation
governor can approve or veto or veto part of a bill (line-idem veto)
how long are the lieutenant governor and attorney general in office for?
four years
Ceremonial head of state government
Chief of state
proposer of the legislative agenda
cheif legislator
head of executive branch
Cheif Executive
leader of political party that contrals executive branch
Party Chief
head of armed forces
Commander-in-Chief
representative of all virginians
Chief Citizen
final court of appeal
Supreme Court
panel of judges
virginia court of appeals
jury
virginia circuit court
small claims
juvenile and domestic relations court
judge only
Virginia District Courts
what is the order of the courts for virginia?
Virginia District Courts
Virginia Circuit Courts
Virginia Court of Appeals
Virginia Supreme Court
How do local governments get their power?
charters
what powers do local governments exercise?
legislative, executive , and judicial
what governing body runs countries?
board of supervisors
what governing body runs schools?
school board
what is a manager?
hired by elected legislative branch to oversee operations of local government
local laws
ordinances
who runs towns?
town council which enact ordinances and adopt annual budget
who elects a mayor?
voters of the town council members
who hires a manager and what do they do?
elected legislative branch
oversee operations of local government
who runs city governments?
city council which enacts ordinances and adopts an annual budget
do citys have a school board?
yes
who has the greatest influence on the local government?
people by communicating their opinions and preferences to their board of supervisors or city/town council
who can enforce ordinances?
counties, cities, and towns
what are the 4 locality elected Constitution officers?
sheriff, clerk of the circuit court, commissioner of revenue, treasurer
what are the servives that local governments provide?
enforce state and local laws (police)
promote public health
protect public safty
educate children
protect the environment
regulate land use
levy and collect taxes
