US History
Fort Burrows
8.4 -- State and Local Governments
READ pgs 262 - 264
Main Idea:
State and local governments often play a more direct role in your daily lives than
does the federal government.
Vocabulary:
constitutional initiative - process by which citizens can petition for amendments to
their state constitution
infrastructure - system of roads, bridges, and tunnels
local government - government of the county, parish, city, town, or district level
Setting the Scene:
In the Bronx, New York, more families want to enjoy the area’s popular
attraction: the Bronx Zoo, the largest zoo in the United States. A State Senator
introduced a law allowing local families free admission to the zoo one day a week.
http://www.bronxzoo.com/
In Oxnard, California, the Police Commissioner learned that 20 percent of all
9-1-1 emergency calls – many of them false alarms – were being made by children. To
solve this problem, he got together with state education officials to create “9-1-1 for
Kids.” This program educates young children on what to do in a real emergency.
In Bexar County, Texas, parents needed help getting their children to school.
Local officials banded together to start a program called SchoolPool. It identifies
parents who live near one another and provides information about driving duties.
Besides helping busy parents, the program reduced the number of cars on local roads.
When we hear the word government, most of us think first of the national
government in Washington, D.C. Yet, day to day, state and local governments often
have a more direct impact on our lives.
State Constitutions
Excerpts from 3 state constitutions. Some topics are common to all state constitutions,
while others reflect the concerns of that particular state…
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New York – Bill of Rights
Section 3 - The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship,
without discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed in this state to all
mankind; and no person shall be rendered incompetent to be a witness on account of
his opinions on matters of religious belief…
Texas – Article 7 Education
Section 1 – A general diffusion of knowledge being essential to the preservation of the
liberties and rights of the people, it shall be the duty of the Legislature of the State to
establish and make suitable provisions for the support and maintenance of an efficient
system of public free schools…
California – Article 10 Water
Section 2 – It is hereby declared that because of the conditions prevailing in this State
the general welfare requires that the water resources of the State be put to beneficial
use to the fullest extent of which they are capable, and that the waste or unreasonable
use or unreasonable method of use of water be prevented, and that the conservation of
such waters is to be exercised with a view to the reasonable and beneficial use thereof
in the interest of the people and for the public welfare…
 Constitution divides power between federal government (national issues)
and states government (local needs)
 A Frame of Government
 All 50 states have a constitution that sets forth principles and framework
 All must conform to the US Constitution (supreme law of land)
 Most state constitutions resemble the US Constitution
-preamble – states goals
-bill of rights – guarantees individual liberties
 State constitutions are longer and more detailed – finance, education, etc.
 State constitutions set-up 3 branches – legislative, executive and judicial
¿¿ Summarize the structure of state constitutions…
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 Changing Constitutions
 Amendments are proposed by the state legislature
 Amendments are approved by the people in an election
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 Constitutional initiative – sponsors of an amendment gather signatures on a
petition which goes to the legislature or to the voters for approval
 State can rewrite its constitution
 With approval of the legislature or the people, state may call a constitutional
convention so they can submit a new constitution
States Provide Services
Maintain law and order
Enforce criminal law
Protect property
Regulate business
Supervise public education
(main responsibility)
Provide public health and
welfare programs
Build and maintain
highways
Operate state parks and
forests
Regulate use of stateowned land
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State sets general standards for schools
State sets requirements for promotion and graduation
State builds and maintains its own infrastructure
State licenses professionals who serve you – doctors, lawyers, TEACHERS
Local Governments
 Local Governments and Education
 Local governments - county, parish, city, town, village or district level
 Local governments have greatest impact on our daily lives
 Local level gives citizens the greatest opportunity to influence govt
 School Districts run schools within standards set by the state
 School Boards build schools, hire teachers and oversee curriculum
 Voters can turn down the annual school budget
 Other Services
Hire/support firefighters,
police and garbage
collectors
Provide sewers and water
Conduct safety inspections
of buildings / restaurants
Provide libraries and parks Provide cultural and
recreational facilities
Support airports
Support sports arenas
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Maintain local roads and
hospitals
Support civic centers
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¿¿ What services are provided by local government ?
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1. Which of the following is least likely to be a service provided by state gov’t ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
determining a social studies curriculum for public high school
establishing a public health program
building a folk art museum
licensing graduates of a nursing school
2. How are the state constitutions similar to the national constitution ?
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3. How are the state constitutions different from the national constitution ?
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4. What services do state governments provide ?
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5. How do local governments affect our daily lives ?
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