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.
Preamble
Article I – Bill of Rights
Article II – Voting and Elections
Article III – Legislative Branch
Article IV – Constitutional Boards and Commissions
Article V – Executive Branch
Article VI – Judicial Branch
Article VII – Taxation and Finance
Article VIII – Education
Article IV – Counties and Municipal Corporations
Article X – Amendments to the Constitutions
Article 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.
2.
3.
4.
U.S. Citizenship
Georgia citizen for two years
Live in district for one year
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.d
Trace 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.
2.
3.
4.
5.
30 years old
U.S. citizen for 15 years
Georgia resident for 6 years
Term – 4 years
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.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Attorney General
Sec. of State
State School Superintendent
Agricultural Commissioner
Insurance Commissioner
Labor Commissioner
Government Standard
SS8CG5 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 councilmanager 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 Government
Counties
• 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 Governments
VOTERS
VOTERS
VOTERS
Council
Mayor
Limited
executive
authority,
presides
over council
meetings
Council
Has
executive
and
legislative
power
Departments
Water, Police, Finance,
Parks & Recreation, carry
out policy.
Mayor
Has executive
and legislative
powers,
proposes
budget, has
veto powers
Council
Determines
government
policy,
responsible
for raising
revenue.
Departments
Water, Police, Finance,
Parks & Recreation, carry
out policy.
Determines policy & passes
ordinances. Hires city manager.
Mayor is a council member.
City Manager
Carries out policy set by
Council. Appoints all
department heads, and
supervises all municipal affairs.
Health
Water
Finance
Police
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 Branch
Courts in Georgia
• 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?