State Government

Question 1

Sovereignty

Answer 1

-the authority of a state to govern itself

Question 2

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Answer 2

-ensures that each state will accept the decisions of civil courts in other states

Question 3

Extradition

Answer 3

-the process of returning fugitives (to the state where they committed the crime)

Question 4

projects

Answer 4

-the undertaking of a public improvement, disturbance, development, construction or land-use change
ex: highways, bridges

Question 5

____ of the 50 states are bicameral (have two houses in legislature)

Answer 5

49

Question 6

_____________ is the only state that is unicameral.

Answer 6

Nebraska

Question 7

Bicameral Legislature

Answer 7

-legislature is divided into 2 houses
(bigger house - House of Representatives,
smaller house - Senate)

Question 8

Unicameral Legislature

Answer 8

-a legislature that has only one house (Nebraska has a Senate)

Question 9

States divide into districts based on ____________.

Answer 9

population

Question 10

Most states have terms of ___ years for state senators, and ___ years for state representatives.

Answer 10

4,
2

Question 11

Steps of passing state laws:

Answer 11

1. Bill is introduced
2. Bill is sent to Committee
3. Bill reaches the floor
4. Bill is sent to the second house
5. Bill is sent to a Joint Conference Committee (only if needed)
6. Bill is sent to the Governor

Question 12

Steps of the process for citizens to start new laws:

Answer 12

1. a petition is made with the proposition (what is being proposed)
2. a certain number of people must sign
3. if there are enough signatures, the the proposition will appear on the ballot at the next general election
4. if it gets enough votes then it becomes a law

Question 13

constituents

Answer 13

-citizens whom a legislator has been elected to represent

Question 14

initiative

Answer 14

-the process that citizens are able to create/start new legislation

Question 15

referendum

Answer 15

-method of referring potential laws directly to the people (constituents) for approval

Question 16

recall

Answer 16

-the process for removing elected officials from office

Question 17

incumbent

Answer 17

-an elected official who is currently holding office

Question 18

Governor

Answer 18

-the chief executive in each state

Question 19

Duties of the Governor

Answer 19

*leads the state government
* handles day-to-day affairs
* makes government appointments
*implements laws to meet the needs of the state

Question 20

A candidate for governor in Florida must…

Answer 20

-be a U.S. citizen
-be at least 30 yrs. old
-have been a resident and a registered voter in Florida for at least 7 years

Question 21

Most governors serve ___ year terms.

Answer 21

4

Question 22

patronage

Answer 22

-power of a political party to recommend a person for a job

Question 23

Most state constitutions contain:

Answer 23

-a preamble
-a Bill of Rights
-an outline of the organization of the state’s government

Question 24

municipality

Answer 24

-a unit of local government that is incorporated by the state and that has a large degree of self-government

Question 25

city

Answer 25

-the largest type of municipality; has many things provided by local governments such as police and fire protection

Question 26

county

Answer 26

-a division of state government that is formed to carry out state laws, collect taxes, and supervise elections in a single small area

Question 27

sheriff

Answer 27

-an elected official who usually commands several deputies and an office staff; they arrest law breakers and carry out the orders of county courts

Question 28

charter

Answer 28

-a basic plan for a local government unit that defines its powers, responsibilities, and organization

Question 29

ordinances

Answer 29

-regulations that govern a community

Question 30

A _____ is a place in a state that has a relatively large urban population.

Answer 30

city

Question 31

A ________ government is run by a board or commission, not by a single head of government.

Answer 31

county

Question 32

The county ________ is in charge of enforcing laws and court orders.

Answer 32

sheriff

Question 33

Local government has the power to pass ___________ to improve the lives of local citizens.

Answer 33

ordinances

Question 34

What is the role of the Secretary of State?

Answer 34

-carries out election laws and keep state records

Question 35

What is the role of the attorney general?

Answer 35

-handles a state’s legal business (matters concerning the law)

Question 36

States choose their governors by conducting an _________.

Answer 36

election

Question 37

What is the role of the state treasurer?

Answer 37

-handles all state funds

Question 38

town

Answer 38

-a unit of local government, usually larger than a village and smaller than a city

Question 39

town meeting

Answer 39

-all citizens meet regularly to discuss town issues and then vote
*works best in small populations

Question 40

township

Answer 40

-a district divided into a 6 mile by 6 mile grid

Question 41

special district

Answer 41

-a unit of government formed to meet a specific need

Question 42

A school district is a form of ________ _________ whose function is to provide education to the citizens in the area.

Answer 42

special district

Question 43

The earliest form of local government in America was the _____.

Answer 43

town

Question 44

A _____ _________ is a place where every citizen can speak his or her mind about how local problems should be solved.

Answer 44

town meeting

Question 45

State ___________ write laws.
State ____________ put those laws into action.
State _______ make sure everyone is following the rules.

Answer 45

legislatures,
executives,
courts