State Government North Carolina North Carolinas Constitution Divided

State Government North Carolina

North Carolina’s Constitution • Divided into 14 articles – – Cardinal says: NC has had 3 Constitutions!! Article I- Declaration of Rights Article II-Legislative Branch Article III-Executive Branch Article IV-Judicial Branch • Considered a “Flexible Constitution” – – Based on certain principles such as: Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers • Checks and Balances • Federalism

Federalism • What is Federalism? – Power is shared by both the national governments and the state governments. • Why is Federalism important? – Ensures state governments have power to make laws specific to their state. • 10 th Amendments gives states reserved powers. – Reserved powers are not listed in the US Constitution.

Public Policy • What is Public Policy? – Government response to public issues. • State handles the majority of public policies. • Decisions made by State and Local governments affect a person’s life more directly. • Examples? ? ?

North Carolina Legislature • Bicameral Legislature known as the General Assembly • General Assembly is divided into two chambers: – House of Representatives • 120 members – Senate • 50 members • General Assembly’s job is to MAKE LAWS – Use the same committee process found on the national level

Citizen Participation • Citizens may participate in the law making process through referendums. – Referendum • Allows citizens to vote directly on whether to approve or disapprove of a proposed law. • Vote on General Assembly members.

Electing State Legislators • Seats in the legislature apportioned. – Apportionment • Dividing a state into districts based on the state census. • Each Legislative member represents a district.

Executive Branch • Governor is the chief executive of a state. – Job: Enforce the law – Elected by the people to four year terms • Lieutenant Governor is second in charge after the governor.

Roles of the Governor • Commander in Chief – In charge of North Carolina National Guard • Economic Role – Prepares the state’s budget • Legislative Role – Introduce bills – Veto power • Does not have the line-item veto • Judicial Role – Alter the sentencing of the convicted • Pardon • commute

North Carolina Courts • Make sure laws passed by the General Assembly are constitutional. – NC Judicial branch gained judicial review in the court case Bayard vs. Singleton.

Structure of State Courts • NC courts are organized into separate divisions. – Trial Division • District Courts – Hear misdemeanors and criminal cases • Superior Courts – Hears criminal cases exceeding 10, 000 dollars. – Appellate Division • Appeals Court – Hears appeals from District and Superior Courts – Known as an “Intermediate Appeals Court” • North Carolina Supreme Court – Highest court in NC – Interprets the Constitution, Appeals cases, and hears cases involving the death penalty.

Important NC Supreme Court Cases • Bayard vs. Singleton – Gave NC Supreme Court judicial review • State vs. Mann – North Carolina Supreme Court case ruling that slaves were property. • Overturned by the 13 th amendment • Leandro vs. North Carolina – States each child is guaranteed a sound basic education through adequate funding from local government.