Government Standard

Government Standard

SS8CG1 The student will describe the role of citizens under Georgia's constitution.

SS8CG1.a Explain the basic structure of the Georgia state

constitution.PreambleArticle I – Bill of RightsArticle II – Voting and ElectionsArticle III – Legislative BranchArticle IV – Constitutional Boards and CommissionsArticle V – Executive BranchArticle VI – Judicial BranchArticle VII – Taxation and FinanceArticle VIII – EducationArticle IV – Counties and Municipal CorporationsArticle X – Amendments to the ConstitutionsArticle XI – Misc. Provisions

SS8CG1.b Explain the concepts of separation of powers and checks and balances.

SS8CG1.c Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens.

SS8CG1.d Explain voting qualifications and elections in Georgia.

1.Citizen of U.S.2.Legal resident of GA

and county (Voting) 3.Must be 18 years old

SS8CG1.e Explain the role of political parties in government.

What are the two political parties, and what is the role of the parties?

Government Standard

SS8CG2 The student will analyze the

role of the legislative branch in Georgia state government.

SS8CG2.a Explain the qualifications, term, election, and duties of members of the General Assembly.

• Two houses – House (180) – Senate (56)

• Qualifications 1. U.S. Citizenship2. Georgia citizen for two years3. Live in district for one year 4. Senators – 25 yrs./ House – 21 yrs.

Duties – Make laws for the state of Georgia

SS8CG2.b Describe the organization of the General Assembly,

with emphasis on leadership and the committee system.

• Speaker of the House? • President of the Senate?• Minority Leader?• Majority Leader?

SS8CG2.dTrace the steps of how a bill becomes a law

Government Standard

SS8CG3 The student will analyze the role of the executive branch in Georgia state

government

SS8CG3.a Explain the qualifications, term, election, and duties of the governor and lieutenant

governor.1. 30 years old2. U.S. citizen for 15 years3. Georgia resident for 6 years4. Term – 4 years5. Two consecutive terms allowed (Total of 8 years)

Duties – suggesting new state programs and laws, proposing and directing the state budget, appointing members of state boards, call special sessions, and veto laws.

SS8CG3.b Describe the organization of the executive branch, with

emphasis on major policy areas of state programs; include education, human resources, public safety, transportation,

economic development, and natural resources.

State Departments

1. Attorney General2. Sec. of State3. State School Superintendent 4. Agricultural Commissioner5. Insurance Commissioner6. Labor Commissioner

Government StandardSS8CG5 The student will analyze the role of local governments in the state of Georgia.

a. Explain the origins, functions, purposes, and differences of county and city governments in Georgia.

b. Compare and contrast the weak mayor-council, the strong mayor-council, and the council-manager forms of city government.

c. Describe the functions of special-purpose governments.

d. Evaluate the role of local government working with state agencies to administer state programs.

Local GovernmentCounties

• Georgia has how many counties?– 159

• What is/are the purpose(s) of a county?– To administer services to

citizens• How are counties

created?– General Assembly must

amend the Constitution to add counties

Cities• What is another name

for cities?– Municipalities

• What is/are the purpose(s) of a city?– To administer services

to citizens• How are cities

created?– A Charter must be

approved by the county to create a new city

How do local governments work with state agencies to administer state programs?

Local GovernmentsVOTERS VOTERS

MayorLimited

executive authority, presides

over council

meetings

CouncilHas

executive and

legislative power

DepartmentsWater, Police, Finance,

Parks & Recreation, carry out policy.

VOTERS

MayorHas

executive and

legislative powers, proposes

budget, has veto powers

CouncilDetermines governmen

t policy, responsible for raising revenue.

DepartmentsWater, Police, Finance,

Parks & Recreation, carry out policy.

CouncilDetermines policy & passes

ordinances. Hires city manager. Mayor is a council

member.

City ManagerCarries out policy set by

Council. Appoints all department heads, and supervises all municipal

affairs.

Health

Water Police

Finance

Parks & Recreation

Which one is Weak Mayor-Council, Strong Mayor-Council or Council-Manager form of Government?

Local Government• What is the function of a Special

Purpose District?

• What are some examples of SPD’s?

Judicial BranchC o u r t s i n G e o r g i a

• Supreme Court– 7 Justices

• Capital felonies, Constitutional issues, land, wills & divorce

• Court of Appeals– 12 Judges (4 Divisions)

• Review decisions from lower courts

• Superior Court– 205 Judges (49 Circuits)

• Felonies

• Municipal Courts– 350 Judges (370 Courts)

• Magistrate Courts– 159 Courts

• 159 Chief Magistrates & 354 Magistrates

• Probate Courts– 159 Courts

• State Courts– 70 Courts (122 Judges)

• Juvenile Courts– 159 Courts

• 120 Judges & Assoc. Judges

Judicial Branch• Types of law– Criminal– Civil

• What is the difference between them?

• Types of Crime– Misdemeanor– Felony

• What is the difference between and examples of them?

Juvenile Justice• Who is a juvenile?

• Types of offenses– Unruly Behaviors (status

offense)– Delinquent Behaviors

• What is the difference between these offenses?

• What are some examples?

• When a juvenile commits a crime, what happens to him/her?

• Georgia’s Seven Deadly Sins– Examples?– How do these impact

juveniles?