State and Local Governments Flashcards
A process by which a legislative measure is refereed to the State’s voters for final approval or rejection
Referendum
A tax levied on the real estate and personal items of citizens
Property tax
A law passed by the legislature
Statutory law
A tax levied on various commodities once they are purchased by citizens
Sales tax
A process in which a certain number of qualified voters sign petitions in favor of a proposed stature or constitution amendment, which then goes directly to the ballot
Initiative
A financial plan for the use of money, personnel, and property
Budget
The authority of each State to act to protect and promote the public health, safety, morals, and general welfare of its people
Police power
A tax levied on the wages of individuals and/or corporations
Income tax
Laws of basic and lasting importance which may not be easily changed
Fundamental law
A tax levied on the assets of an individual that dies
Estate tax
Another term for “extradition”
Interstate rendition
What is extradition?
The process of returning a fugitive to another state
The “Fugitive Slave” clause what nullified by what?
13th amendment
What did the 13th amendment do? In what year?
Ended slavery in 1865
What is the constitution?
The supreme law of the land
What clause is set out in Article 6, Section 2?
The Supremacy Clause
What is Congressional apportionment?
How many members of congress each state gets
What is Gerrymandering?
The way in which the districts are drawn
Why are the districts drawn the way they are?
So that a select party can be elected
What are some common elements found in many state constitutions? (5)
1) protection of civil rights
2) governmental structure
3) governmental power and processes
4) constitutional change
5) miscellaneous provisions
How do most states legislatures mirror the United States legislative branch?
They are bicameral, with a Senate and House of Representatives
Which state does not follow the typical structure of other state legislatures?
Nebraska
What are the qualifications that an individual must meet in order to run for the legislature in the state of Mississippi?
1) 21 years old for House, 25 years old for Senate
2) resident of the state for 4 years
3) resident of the district for 2 years
How long does a Mississippi legislator serve?
4 years
State legislatures can pass laws as long as they don’t conflict with which two things?
Federal law or State constitution
Who is the presiding officer over the Mississippi State Senate?
Lieutenant governor
How does the lieutenant governor achieve this position of leadership?
They are elected in a separate, statewide election, held during the same time as the governor’s election
Who is the Speaker of the House in Mississippi?
Phillip Gunn
Who is the Lieutenant Governor in Mississippi?
Delbert Hosemann
Besides legislators, what 3 groups can introduce bills to be considered by the legislature?
1) officers and agencies of state and local government
2) interest groups and lobbyists
3) private individuals
What are the qualifications to run for Governor in Mississippi?
1) American citizen for 20 years
2) 30 years old
3) lived in state for at least 5 years
Who succeeds the governor if they leave office?
Lieutenant governor
Who is the governor of Mississippi?
Tate Reeves
What are some of the responsibilities of the governor? (4)
1) appointment and removal of assistants
2) supervising the staff of the State’s executive branch
3) preparing the annual or biennial budget to go to the legislature
4) commanding the State militia, or National Guard
Who serves as the state’s chief clerk and record keeper?
Secretary of state
Who holds the Secretary of State office in Mississippi?
David McRae
Who holds the office of attorney general in Mississippi?
Lynn Fitch
What are the two major political units of local government in our states?
Counties and cities
What are the main functions of county governments? (5)
1) keep the peace and maintain jails and other correctional facilities
2) assess properties for taxes
3) collect taxes and spend county funds
4) build and repair roads, bridges, drains, and other such public works
5) maintain schools
What event caused many citizens to leave rural areas for cities?
The industrial revolution
List 5 functions of most city governments.
1) public utilities
2) parks and recreation
3) police and fire protection
4) public housing
5) school and correctional institutions
List the 6 sources of income that state and local governments are able to utilize.
1) sales tax
2) federal government
3) insurance trust revenue
4) property tax
5) individual income tax
6) corporate income tax
