Unit 4
Spring 2015
The Legislative Branch
114th US Congress
January 3, 2015 – January 3, 2017
Table of Contents
Legislative Branch-Vocab
• Constitution: written plan of government
• Federal: level of government that controls the
United States
• Term Length: number of years for 1 term
• Term Limit: number of terms allowed to serve
• Bicameral: 2 house legislature
Table of Contents
The Supremacy Clause
• Supremacy Clause: Article 6 in the US
Constitution, making the Constitution the
highest law in the land
The U.S.
Constitution
Federal Laws
State Constitutions
State Statutes
(Laws)
County/City
Ordinances
Table of Contents
• Full Faith and Credit
Clause-each state must
respect the laws, records and
judicial proceedings of other
states.
Legislative Branch-Vocab
• seniority system: system where more
experienced people are given special privileges.
• impeach: officially accusing an elected official
of a crime
• constituent: people being represented in a
legislature (the voters)
Table of Contents
Legislative Branch-Vocab
• Ex post facto: “after the fact;” charging
someone for a legal action that is later made
illegal
• Habeas corpus: the right to be informed of
your crime before a judge
• Bill of attainder: a law that takes away one’s
right to a trial by jury
Table of Contents
Legislative Branch (p.7 chart)
• Gov’t Body: Congress
• Main Role: creates the laws
• Powers
▫
▫
▫
▫
▫
▫
▫
Establish courts
Approve treaties
Declare war
Coin money
Impeach & remove President
Approve Pres. Appointments
Levy taxes
Table of Contents
The (114th) U.S. Congress
(legislative branch) (top of p. 3)
• U.S. Senate
▫ Total in Congress =
100 senators
▫ How many per state =
2 per state
• House of Representatives
▫ Total in Congress =
435 house members
▫ How many per state =
depends on state
population
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
U.S. Senate
Democrats-44
Republicans-54
Independents-2 (both caucusing with
Democrats)
North Carolina’s Senators
• Richard Burr (R)
• Tom Tillis(R)
Table of Contents
U.S. House of Representatives
Democrats-188
Republicans-245
Vacant - 2
Rocky River District
Representative Districts
Your Possible House Representative
Alma Adams(D)
Table of Contents
Your Possible House Representative
Richard Hudson (R)
District 8
Your House Representative
Robert Pittenger (R)
Table of Contents
Who’s in charge here!?!
Leaders of Congress
Table of Contents
Speaker of the House
• Leading officer of the HoR.
• Chosen by the majority
party (party with the most
members)
John Boehner(R) is the current
Speaker of the House
Table of Contents
President of the Senate
• The Vice President
serves as head of
Senate
• Tie-breaking vote
• Vice President Joe Biden
Table of Contents
President Pro Tempore
• Temporary leader of
the Senate (Vice
President is usually
doing something else)
• Orrin Hatch(R) is the
current President Pro
Tem
Table of Contents
Senate Majority Leader
• Sets the legislative
agenda for the
Senate
• Mitch McConnell(R) is
the current Senate
Majority Leader
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Expressed/Enumerated Powers
• Powers written in the Constitution
• Examples
▫ Power to…
 Lay & collect taxes
 raise and support armies
Table of Contents
Implied/Unemumerated Powers
• Powers not written in the Constitution
• Examples
▫ “lay & collect” implies…
 Creating the IRS
▫ “Raise and support armies” implies…
 Drafting citizens if necessary
Table of Contents
Necessary & Proper Clause
a.k.a. “The Elastic Clause”
• “The Congress shall have Power - To make all Laws which shall be
necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing
Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the
Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer
thereof.”
▫ Article I, Section 8, Clause 18
• It allows Congress to create implied powers
when necessary, which stretches its overall
power.
Table of Contents
Closure
• How is the idea of limited government promoted
in the United States Constitution?
• What limits does the U.S. Constitution place on
the powers of Congress?
• Is it necessary to treat all people the same in
order to ensure justice and equality?
Warm up – 10/8/13
• Please copy the charts on page p. 181 to the back
of your notes packet.
32
33
Pigeonhole
• Step #2 & #5
• When a committee or sub-committee puts a Bill aside
until it is forgotten about (dies)
34
Filibuster
•
•
Step #6
When a senator tries to prevent a vote by talking as
long as possible during the debate
The Longest Filibusters
1.) 24 hours, 18 minutes: Strom Thurmond, civil
rights bill, 1957.
2.) 23:30: Alfonse D'Amato, military bill, 1986.
3.) 22:26: Wayne Morse, Tidelands oil bill, 1953.
Only 12 hours https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60d_Sc0AIKc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1_9nSzG_hk
36
Cloture
• Step #6
• When 60 Senators vote to stop (clot) a filibuster
37
Conference Committee
• Step #7
• When members of the HoR and Senate compromise on
differences in a Bill before it goes to the President.
38
Veto
• Step #8
• When the President rejects a Bill
39
Pocket Veto
• Step #8
• When the President puts a Bill aside for 10 days and it
does not become a law if Congress has adjourned
• After 10 days if Congress is still in session, the bill
becomes a law.
40
Override Veto
• Step #9
• If President Vetoes or Pocket Vetoes a Bill, The Senate
and HoR can override the President if 2/3 of each
house agrees.
The Legislative Process (Textbook Edition)
• http://www.centeroncongress.org/e-learningmodule-the-dynamic-legislative-process
Warm Up
• On the board!
• Happy Friday!!!! 
43
The 9 steps of how a Bill
becomes a Law
• Step #1
• Bill introduced into the HoR
• Step #2
• Bill goes to committee & subcommittee
• Step #3
• Debate and voted on in the HoR
44
The 9 steps of how a Bill
becomes a Law
• Step #4
• Bill introduced into the Senate
• Step #5
• Bill goes to committee
• Step #6
• Debate and voted on in the Senate
45
The 9 steps of how a Bill
becomes a Law
• Step #7
• Conference Committee
• Step #8
• Presidential Action
▫ Sign
▫ Veto
▫ Pocket Veto
• Step #9
• Override Veto
46
The Bill Flow Chart:
Introduction
in the House
of Reps.
Sent to
Committee/
SubCommittee
Debate &
Vote in
the HoR
Sent to the
Senate and
Introduced
Senate Committee
Debate &
vote
Senate
Floor
Vote
Conference
Committee
Sent to the
President:
Signs = Law
Veto  No Law
Veto
Override:
2/3 Vote in
Congress =
Law
The Legislative Process
• What really happens!
• http://www.centeroncongress.org/e-learningmodule-the-dynamic-legislative-process
Your Task
• Congratulations 1stRRHS Congress is now in session!
• Your task is to create a law within your committee that will
improve RRHS (even if you do not agree)
• Each committee will be given a topic
• Based on your topic you must come up with a committee
name
• Together you and your committee must be able to rally
support from all of Congress before it is sent to Ms. Nall
(class president) for approval or veto.
• You will have 2 minutes to debrief us on your bill proposal
(make sure you sell it!)
• You must also be able to answer questions other
congressmen may have. They can ask you a total of 4
questions about your Bill.
• You will have 20 minutes to prepare!
Tasks of the Committee
• Facilitator/Committee Leader –
▫
▫
Your job is to lead the discussion on the reading assigned to your group. Make sure each of the
discussion questions for your reading is discussed and ensure that every voice is heard (including
your own.) Make sure the group stays focused on the task assigned.
While ensuring everyone else participates in the discussion, you should also provide your thoughts.
Make sure you listen to your other group members and add on to their ideas whenever possible. Pose
any of your own questions that come to mind as well.
• Recorder/ Writer of the Bill▫
▫
Your job is to take notes during the discussion your group has regarding the reading assigned to you.
Make sure you write down a final answer to each discussion question. You will assist the Presenter in
preparing his/her notes for the summary he/she provides to the other groups as well.
You should also participate in the discussion by providing your thoughts to the questions posed
regarding the reading assigned to your group. Make sure you listen to your other group members and
add on to their ideas whenever possible. Pose any of your own questions that come to mind as well.
• Task Manager/Rules Committee Member
▫
▫
Your job is to monitor the time as your group works and to provide time warnings (i.e. “10 minutes
left,” “5 minutes left,” etc.) to your group. Make sure that your group equally divides its time among
the questions and tasks, while ensuring all aspects of the assignment are completed before time is
up. If any supplies are needed, you are responsible for getting them and ensuring they are returned.
Also, assist the Facilitator in ensuring everyone in the group participates and stays on track.
You should also participate in the discussion by providing your thoughts to the questions posed
regarding the reading assigned to your group. Make sure you listen to your other group members and
add on to their ideas whenever possible. Pose any of your own questions that come to mind as well.
• Presenter /Bill Introducer
▫ Your job is to summarize your group’s discussion for the remainder of class
once time is up. Make sure you do this in a way that teaches the other groups
about the reading assigned to your group. Be prepared to speak in a clear,
concise manner. The Recorder can help you in preparing and writing the
summary to be presented.
▫ You should also participate in the discussion by providing your thoughts to the
questions posed regarding the reading assigned to your group. Make sure you
listen to your other group members and add on to their ideas whenever
possible. Pose any of your own questions that come to mind as well.
Q & A-er /Researcher
▫ Your job is to keep track of any questions that your group members pose throughout the
discussion. Whenever possible, assist in finding the answers to these questions. (For
example, you may need to look up a word in the dictionary, or consult your text book for
further information on a topic.) If the group needs the teacher’s assistance, you are
responsible for communicating the group’s questions or needs to the teacher. Also, after
the Presenter summarizes your group’s reading and discussion with the remainder of
class, you are responsible for answering any clarifying questions other groups may have
of your group.
▫ You should also participate in the discussion by providing your thoughts to the questions
posed regarding the reading assigned to your group. Make sure you listen to your other
group members and add on to their ideas whenever possible. Pose any of your own
questions that come to mind as well.
Presentations of Bills
• Rules for Congressional Meeting
▫ No one should interrupt the Congressman who has the
floor. (There should always be order)
▫ You have two minutes to present your Bill.
▫ There will be no more than 4 questions asked of the
Congressmen before we vote.
▫ Before you can ask a question you must be recognized
by the chair to speak.
▫ We are the House of Representative so therefore there
can be no Filibuster! 
Written Discussion
• Had you already decided on your position on each
legislation before hearing the arguments? Why? Provide
an example.
• Did your vote change after hearing the argument from the
congressmen or after they were asked questions? Why?
Provide an example for clarification.
• Did peer pressure affect your vote in any way?
• What other factors may sway a Congressman’s vote?
• Did you consider the impact of the bills on the entire
school and the people you represent before you voted?
Provide an example for clarification.
• Do you think you understand the textbook description of
the lawmaking process? Explain your answer.
Warm Up:
•What do I see?
(evidence right there in the
image)
•What do I wonder?
(question, ponder about
evidence)
What can I infer?
(interpret, conclude, think
based on what evidence –
not how you know this prior
knowledge)
Discussion
• What message is the artist trying to convey?
• What message is the cartoon implying regarding
the powers of the President?
• Does the President make his or her own rules?
Explain.
• In what ways does the structure of our
government prevent the President from “making
his/her own rules” or abusing his power? (Think
about the Principles of the US Constitution)
• Where can you find what powers the President
officially has, as granted by the US Constitution?
The Executive Branch
Table of Contents
Two Truths and A Lie
• The President gets paid to throw large parties.
• The President can declare war if America's
national security is threatened.
• The President has the power to appoint
ambassadors.
Two Truths and A Lie
• The President has the right to withhold certain
information from Congress if he thinks it would
endanger America.
• No president has ever made it to the highest
office without being elected to either the
presidency or the vice‐presidency
• The President is allowed to campaign for other
candidates of his same party running for office
Two Truths and A Lie
• The power of the vice‐presidency has been
increasing since the early 1990s.
• The president is one of the highest paid
members of American society.
• There has been one president who has been
elected to more than two terms.
Executive Branch (p.7 chart)
• Gov’t Body: President
• Main Role: Carry out (enforce) the law
• Powers:
▫
▫
▫
▫
▫
▫
Approve or veto laws
Appoint judges
Make treaties
Pardon, reprieve, commute
Direct military
Create Executive orders
Table of Contents
How is the President Chosen?
• The President is officially elected by the Electoral
College which is guided by the people’s vote.
• The V.P. is elected along with the candidate who
won the electoral vote.
Table of Contents
President—The Perks
• World-wide celebrity status
• Salary: $400,000/year,
▫ even when retired they receive a pension ($199,700)
• Air force One
• Golf cart One
• Camp David Retreat
Table of Contents
Judicial Powers p. 6
• Pardon: Forgive a convicted criminal of
his/her crimes
• Commute: Reduce the sentence of a convicted
criminal
• Reprieve: Delay the sentence of a convicted
criminal.
Table of Contents
Roles of the President
Table of Contents
Chief Diplomat
• The president decides what American diplomats and
ambassadors shall say to foreign governments. With the
help of advisers, the president makes the foreign policy
of the United States.
Examples: Entertaining Japanese
diplomats in the White House, Traveling to
London to meet with British leaders
Table of Contents
Commander-in-Chief
• Leader of the US armed forces, All military generals
(Chiefs of Staff) and admirals take their orders
from the President
Ex: Sending troops
into battle.
Table of Contents
Judicial Leader
• Appoints federal
judges, can
pardon, reprieve
or commute a
criminal
Table of Contents
Legislative Leader
• Only Congress has the actual power to make laws. But
the Constitution gives the president power to influence
Congress in its lawmaking. Presidents may urge
Congress to pass new laws or veto bills that they do not
favor.
Examples: Making a speech to Congress (State of the Union
Address) and Signing a bill of Congress
Table of Contents
Chief Executive
• The president is "boss" for millions of government workers
in the Executive Branch, deciding how the laws of the
United States are to be enforced and choosing officials and
advisers to help run the Executive Branch.
Examples:
Appointing someone
to serve as head of
the Central
Intelligence Agency
(CIA), Holding a
Cabinet meeting to
discuss government
business, and
Reading reports
about problems of
the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI)
Table of Contents
Head (Chief) of State (on the side)
• Acts as a celebrity
figure, makes public
appearances
• This role requires a
president to be an
inspiring example
for the American
people.
Examples: Attending Funerals,
Awarding medals to the winners of
college scholarships, and Greeting
visitors to the White House.
Table of Contents
Party Leader (on the side)
• In this role, the president helps members of his political
party get elected or appointed to office. The president
campaigns for those members who have supported his
policies. At the end of a term the president may
campaign for reelection.
Example:
Traveling to
California to
speak at a rally
for a party
nominee to the
U.S. Senate.
The President’s Helping Hands
The Cabinet
(some of it anyway)
Table of Contents
President’s Cabinet
• One of the principal purposes of the Cabinet
(drawn from Article II, Section 2 of the
Constitution) is to advise the President on any
subject he may require relating to the duties of
their respective offices.
• The Cabinet includes the Vice President and the
heads of the 15 executive departments
Table of Contents
Secretary of State
John Kerry
• Advises the President
on Foreign relations,
negotiates treaties,
represents U.S.
• Assists the Presidents
when acting as Chief
Diplomat
Table of Contents
Secretary of Defense
Aston Carter
• Oversees the branches
of the military, carries
out the President’s war
plans
• Assists the Pres. when
acting as Commanderin-Chief
Table of Contents
Secretary of Justice (Attorney General)
Eric Holder
• Gives legal advice to
Pres & represents US in
court
• Assists the Pres. when
acting as Judicial Leader
Table of Contents
Legislative Leaders
• Review!
• Speaker of the House
• Vice President
• President Pro Tempore
Chief Executive
• Review
• All Cabinet Members!
• All Secretaries
Secretary of Treasury
Jacob Lew
• Advises Pres. on the
economy and oversees
the gov’ts revenue and
expenditures
• Must sign Federal
Reserve notes before
they can become legal
tender.
• Assists the Pres. when
acting as economic
leader
Table of Contents
Presidential Line of Succession
(25th Amendment)
• President
• Vice President
• Speaker of the House
• Senate President Pro Tempore
• Secretaries (in order of year created)
• State Governors (in order of state pop.)
Table of Contents
Class Work
• Congratulations! You have just been elected the
President of the United States of America. Given
what you have learned regarding the powers
granted to the president, you must deal with the
following situations in an appropriate manner,
making good use of your power and justifying your
right to handle these situations by noting what role
gives you the power to make such a choice.
• Remember, the roles of the President include:
Chief Executive, Chief Diplomat,
Commander in Chief, Legislative Leader,
Head of State, Economic Leader, and Party
Leader.
Homework – Separate Sheet of Paper
Happy Friday!!! 
Please pass up your homework then get started on
your warm up!
• Warm Up – READ!!! 

• Purpose: ERT – Everyone Reads to…
▫ Find out more about the roles and responsibilities of the president
▫ Figure out the difficulties of each role and responsibility
• Silently read and annotate the text for 10 minutes
▫ “How do I annotate the text?” you may ask. Simply follow these
directions and you will be on your way…
• Evidence: As you read, underline information that helps you
answer the above ERT questions
• Question: Write on the side of the reading, the questions you have as
you read and the points that make you think "oh that's like..."or "I
wonder...“ (connections to prior and background knowledge)
Discussion
• Discuss your thoughts about the things you
highlighted and the questions you had with your
shoulder partner.
• Why did you underline the things you did? Why
did YOU think they were important?
Unit 3 Test Data Analysis
• As you are correcting your Unit 3
Exam for each question I want
you to explain why you missed
the question.
• Some examples could include
▫ I failed to read the question
thoroughly
▫ I did not know the content –
did not study that section
▫ I did not understand the word
(?) which caused me to not
understand the question.
• You have 20 minutes to
complete
• When you are finished please
work on the Current Events
activity.
Post Test
• When you are finished please work on the Current Events
activity.
Warm Up
Warm Up:
•What do I see?
(evidence right there in
the image)
•What do I wonder?
(question, ponder about
evidence)
What can I infer?
(interpret, conclude,
think based on what
evidence – not how you
know this prior
knowledge)
Unit 4 Exam
•Thursday 3/19
Notes Time
Comparing the Executives
The President of the US
The Governor of North
Carolina
VS.
Governor
• At least 30
• 5 years citizen
• 4 Years
• 2 Consecutive
terms
vs.
President
• At least 35
AGE
CITIZENSHIP • Natural Born
citizen
TERM LENGTH
• 4 Years
TERM LIMIT • 2 terms
Governor
•
•
•
•
•
•
vs.
Legislative Leader
Judicial Leader
ROLES
Chief Executive
Chief of State
Party Leader
Commander-in-Chief
• Line-item veto
VETO
POWER
President
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Legislative Leader
Judicial Leader
Chief Executive
Chief of State
Party Leader
Commander-in-Chief
Chief Diplomat
• Veto (All or nothing)
The Judicial Branch
Table of Contents
Judicial Branch p. 7
• Gov’t Body: US Supreme Court
• Main Role: Interpret the law
• Powers:
▫ Can declare laws of Congress and acts of the
President unconstitutional; judicial review
Table of Contents
The Federal Court System
US Supreme
Court-hears cases
on appeal that deal
with the Constitution
US Court of Appealshears cases that are
appealed from the District
Court on legal errors.
US District Court-hears cases for the
first time, place of the original trial
Table of Contents
Becoming a Federal Judge
Appointed
by the
President
Approved by
the Senate
Table of Contents
Original Jurisdiction
• The authority to hear a case for the first time
• Courts with original jurisdiction
▫ US District Court
▫ US Supreme Court-(only if a foreign official
commits a crime or if a state sues another state)
Table of Contents
Appellate Jurisdiction
• The authority to review a lower court’s decision
(after the trial has been held)
• Courts with appellate jurisdiction
▫ US Court of Appeals-must hear all appeals
▫ US Supreme Court-chooses the appeals it wants to
hear (writ of certiorari)
Table of Contents
Jurisdictions Quiz
Table of Contents
QUIZ!
Decide if the following scenarios will go to
• DISTRICT COURT
• COURT OF APPEALS
• SUPREME COURT
Determine what jurisdiction the court will use
• ORIGINAL
• APPELLATE
Table of Contents
QUIZ
1. Jessica is arrested for stealing a car and crossing
state lines.
▫
▫
DISTRICT COURT
ORIGINAL JURISDICTION
2. Donovan was found guilty of robbery but he was
never given a lawyer.
▫
▫
SUPREME COURT
APPELLATE JURISDICTION
Table of Contents
QUIZ (cont.)
3. Deisha was sentenced to 80 years in prison
for spraying graffiti in Charlotte and her
appeal was denied.
▫
▫
SUPREME COURT
APPELLATE JURISDICTION
4. Jose was picked up by police for selling drugs
at school.
▫
▫
DISTRICT COURT
ORIGINAL JURISDICTION
Table of Contents
Qualifications of Offices of the 3
Branches of Government
House of Representatives (Legislative
Branch)
• Age: 25
• Citizenship/ Residency: Must be an American
Citizen for 7 years and a resident of the state he
or she represents
• Length of Term: 2 Years
• Term Limit: Unlimited as long as reelected
Senate (Legislative Branch)
• Age: 30 years old
• Citizenship/ Residency: Must be a citizen for 9
years and must live in the state from which
elected
• Length of Term: 6 years
• Term Limit: Unlimited as long as reelected
Congressional Salaries
President/ Vice President (Executive
Branch)
• Age: 35 years old
• Citizenship/ Residency: Must have been born a
citizen of the US and a resident of the United
States for 14 years
• Length of Term: 4 years
• Term Limit: 2 terms
Supreme Court Justice
(Judicial Branch)
• Age: No age limit
• Citizenship/ Residency: No Residency
requirement
• Length of Term: Life
• Term Limit: Life
Guided Practice
• The Branches of Government
▫ Your task is to see if you can identify the roles and
duties of the three branches of government.
Finish Testing Data and Current Events
Warm Up
• Who is the chief executive at the federal level?
• Who leads the legislative branch of government?
(think about each house)
• Who is the chief executive at the state level?
• What is the name of the legislative body at the
state level?
Current events are due tomorrow
State and Local Government
Vocabulary
Charter: a document that creates a municipality
(city)
Veto: when an executive rejects a whole bill
Line-item veto: when an executive rejects parts
of a bill, the rest becomes law
Vocabulary
municipality: a city or a town government (ex:
City of Charlotte, Town of Huntersville)
Initiative: When citizens sign a petition to create
a new law
Referendum: When a legislature lets the citizens
decide on a new law (ex: School bond, gay
marriage)
The 3 Branches of the N.C. and
Local Governments
Legislative-State
• The General
Assembly
▫ Senate
▫ HoR
Legislative-County
• Board of County Commissioners
Legislative-City/Town
• City Council / Town Council
Executive Branch-State
• Governor & Lieutenant Governor
Executive Branch-County
• County Manager
▫ not elected but hired by BoCC
Executive-City/Town
• Mayor & City Manager - The City of Charlotte operates under a
council-manager form of government. The Mayor and Council are responsible for
making policy decisions for the community. The City Manager is responsible for
carrying out those decisions, as well as providing vision and leadership to the
organization and for overseeing the daily operations of City government
Not
elected but
hired by
city
council
Judicial Branch-State
• N.C. Supreme Court
Judicial Branch-County
• Superior &
District Court
Vocabulary
annexation: taking land into an existing
town/city
zoning: setting aside areas of land for specific
uses
Vocabulary
revenue: money collected by government
through taxes
expenditure: money spent by government on
services for the people
budget: a plan for spending the government’s
revenue on expenditures
Vocabulary
statute: a state law, created by the General
Assembly
ordinance: a local (city/town) law, made by the
city council.
Government Agencies
• 2a) Government agencies belong to the executive branch
(Governor)
• 2b) Government agencies assist the governor carry out the
statutes of the General Assembly
• 2c) Examples of State Government Agencies






Dept. of Health
Board of Elections
Dept. of Transportation
Dept. of Corrections
Dept. of Labor
Dept of Public Instruction
General Assembly
• Powers
▫ Makes statutes
▫ Approve Governor’s
budget
▫ Approve municipal
charters
▫ Sets state income & sales
tax
• Greatest source of
Revenue
▫ Sales tax & Income tax
• Greatest Expenditure
▫ Public Education
County Commissioners
• Powers
▫ Set county sales and property tax
▫ Approves school district budget
▫ Hires county manager
• Greatest source of Revenue
▫ Sales tax & Property tax
• Greatest Expenditure
▫ Public Education
City Council
• Powers
▫ Makes ordinances
▫ Hires city manager
▫ Makes changes to city
charter
• Greatest source of
Revenue
▫ Sales Tax, Fines, and Fees
• Greatest Expenditure
▫ Public Education
Strong vs. Weak Mayor
• Strong mayors oversee the
day-to-day operations of a
city.
• Weak Mayors are
figureheads for the city.
City Manager
• Manages the day-to-day
operations of the city
• Reports to the City
Council
• Carries out requests by
the City Council
Referendums
• Most commonly used for Bonds (when the
municipal gov’t borrows money)
Annexation
• Incorporating land allows a city to collect more
taxes (but also has to provide more services)
Gerrymandering
• Gerrymandering is the drawing of district lines to
favor one political party over another.
NC 12th District- Mel Watt’s District
Compare to NC 8th District
Compare to NC 9th District
Implications of Gerrymandering
• Elections are less important
• Unfair to minority voters.
Zoning
• Benefit
▫ It keeps industrial (factories), commercial
(stores), and residential (houses) separate from
each other.
• Downside
▫ It prevents people from building anything they
want wherever they want.
▫ Charlotte Zoning Map
Chamber of Commerce
• Its purpose is to attract new businesses to the
area and promote business already in the city.
Amending the NC Constitution
• To PROPOSE an Amendment
▫ 3/5 of the House & Senate of the G.A. must
approve
• To RATIFY an Amendment
▫ 51% of NC voters must approve
Happy Wednesday!!! 
Please pass up your homework then get started on
your warm up!
• Warm Up – READ!!! 

• Purpose: ERT – Everyone Reads to…
▫ Find out more about the roles and responsibilities the local
government
▫ Figure out the difficulties involved with managing money and
budgeting at the local level.
• Silently read and annotate the text for 10 minutes
▫ “How do I annotate the text?” you may ask. Simply follow these
directions and you will be on your way…
• Evidence: As you read, underline information that helps you
answer the above ERT questions
• Question: Write on the side of the reading, the questions you have as
you read and the points that make you think "oh that's like..."or "I
wonder...“ (connections to prior and background knowledge)
Build a city project
• You and your group are responsible for creating a
new city somewhere in the state of North Carolina.
You must design this city from scratch, follow many
of the realistic steps that are taken when cities are
incorporated. When finished, you and your group
will present your cities and attempt to convince
citizens to move to your city. Each group member
will be given the same grade so make sure everyone
in your group is participating. This will count as a
test grade!
• What is your role?
Observations from yesterday…
1. Be a little more creative as you describe your city in
your final write up.
2. Physical Features = Geography (soil, harbors, lakes,
ext.)
3. Look back over the services you are providing. You
need to make sure your basic needs for a city are being
met!
4. There should be at least 5 ordinances. You need to be
creative. You can’t undo any state law. (We know we
have the Bill of Rights in place as well as we can’t kill
or steal)
5. Make sure you completely understand your
government. Strong mayor v. weak major
6. While 2 are working on the map of your city, 2 should
be working on the write up. – This is due today!
Closure
• What are the ways in which city
governments can be organized?
• Should a person be forced to pay taxes
on personal property?