NC Government Terms Organization and Constitution NC Government

NC Government Terms, Organization, and Constitution

NC Government Vocabulary � � � Federal System- government that divides powers between the national government and the states Popular Sovereignty- People are the ultimate source of any power given to the government Suffrage- the right to vote Civil Rights- protections granted in the Constitution; recognize all citizens must be treated equally Statute- General laws that apply statewide

NC Government Vocabulary continued… �Commute- to reduce a criminal’s sentence �County Seat- center of county government �Ordinance- local laws �Incorporated- the state has declared that a specific geographic area is a municipality (city, town, or village) and has been given a charter

Roots of NC Government �King Charles II grants territory south of VA, 1663; separates into North and South in 1729 �NC insists of representative gov’t; the General Assembly passes laws & levies taxes �NC legislature bicameral- governor & council is the upper house; elected reps is the lower house

Roots of NC Government continued… NC Seeks Independence �French and Indian War had created huge debt for Great Britain- levy taxes on colonists to pay war debts �NC held congress in Wilmington to elect reps to attend the Continental Congress

Roots of NC Government continued… The Mecklenburg Declaration �All Great Britain's offices vacant; the NC government was only lawful government in the colony The Halifax Resolves �First Colonial gov’t to call for total independence from Great Britain

Roots of NC Government continued… Constitution of 1776 � Two house legislature called General Assembly; Executive branch with governor and Council of State; NC Court system � In 1835 voters gain power to elect the governor and approve or reject constitutional amendments Constitution of 1868 � New constitution must be written after Civil War; Abolish slavery, males over 21 could vote Constitution of 1971 � lower voting age from 21 to 18; governor serves 2 four year terms; governor can veto legislation

NC State Government The Legislative Branch- The General Assembly �Makes laws or General statutes that apply statewide; Enact local laws to specific areas �General Assembly elects members to sit on University of NC Board of Governors

NC State Government continued… Organization of General Assembly � Bi-cameral- senate (50 members) and house of reps (120 members) � Senate and house members are elected for 2 years, with no term limits � Member of General Assembly rules House 21 years old, Live in the district for a year before election Senate 25 years old, live in district for a year before election � Speaker of the House leads house � Lieutenant Governor leads senate

NC State Government continued… The Executive Branch � The Governor is NC’s chief of state and chief executive � Governors roles include leader of state agencies administers state budget grants pardons to criminals or commutes (reduces) sentences � Gov. serves for 4 years, 2 consecutive term limit 30 years old US citizens for at least 5 years live in NC for 2 years � Lieutenant Governor is like VP- president of senate

NC State Government continued… Executive Officers �Governor appoints 10 department chairs to head various administrations- called cabinet �Some appointed by Governor, other officers are elected by voters- Council of State �Council of State operates independently of governor

NC State Government continued… Magistrates

NC State Government continued… � Magistrates – a civil officer or lay judge who administers the law 2 year term have original jurisdiction in certain misdemeanor cases usually when there is an admission of guilt can issue warrants; set bail � NC District Courts– There is at least one district court located in each of the 100 counties judges elected for 4 year terms Original jurisdiction in all misdemeanor cases NO JURY

NC State Government continued… � NC Superior Court- Major cases Judges elected for 8 years Original jurisdiction; takes appeals from District Court felony criminal cases Trial by 12 member jury � The NC Court of Appeals- 15 judges hear appeals Judges elected for 8 year term decides on cases appealed from District and Superior Courts

NC State Government continued… � The NC Supreme Court– 7 Justices (1 Chief and 6 Associates) Judges elected for 8 year terms decides civil and criminal cases appealed from lower courts no witnesses or juries

Local Government and Finances Municipality- cities, towns, villages ▪ Municipalities provide services to meet needs of its citizens ▪ Each has been incorporated- officially given a charter basic rules for gov’t ▪ Cities can expand by annexation- bringing unincorporated land into an existing municipality (Midway, Davidson County) ▪ All municipalities elect their own governing boardcity/town council ▪ Citizens elect a mayor, but city council hires a “professional” to run the city- council-manager form of gov’t

Local Government and Finances continued… Government Finances �Two parts to budget- revenues and expenditures �Fiscal budget year begins July 1 for state as well as for local gov’t �Budgeting begins in governor’s office- must present a balanced budget �General Assembly studies and revises budget proposed by governor �Most money for state gov’t from state taxes

Local Government and Finances continued… Municipal and County Budgets �Most expenditures from cities go to utilities water, sewage, and schools �Revenue comes from utility user fees and property taxes