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CIVICS HOLT
IN PRACTICE
Chapter 9
Local Government
Section 1:
Units of Local Government
Section 2:
Town, Township, and Village Governments
Section 3:
City Government
Section 4:
How Governments Work Together
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
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CIVICS HOLT
IN PRACTICE
Section 1: Units of Local Government
The Main Idea
Local governments have grown as the country has grown.
As Americans settled in rural communities, towns, cities, and suburbs, they set up local governments.
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Reading Focus
How are local governments established, and why are they needed?
How is county government organized, and what are the main purposes of each level of county government?
How do local and state governments work together?
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
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CIVICS HOLT
IN PRACTICE
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AND
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CIVICS HOLT
IN PRACTICE
‹#› HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
CIVICS HOLT
IN PRACTICE
Section 1: Units of Local Government
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Local governments
Are established by and given powers from the state governments.
Define their powers, responsibilities, and organization by charter from the state.
Provide services for citizens.
Maintain roads, running water, sewage systems, sidewalks, street cleaning, and trash collection.
Supervise privately owned electric and transportation systems.
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
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CIVICS HOLT
IN PRACTICE
Section 1: Units of Local Government
The county system of government in the United States:
Borrowed from England, began in the southern agricultural states
Scattered population gathered at the county seat to discuss issues.
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
CIVICS HOLT
IN PRACTICE
Section 1: Units of Local Government
Organization and purpose of county government:
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County board is elected by voters and forms the legislative body.
The county board supervises elections; enforces state laws; collects taxes; and provides health and welfare services, libraries, roads, and schools.
County officials include sheriff and deputies, county clerk, treasurer, auditor, and district attorney.
Some counties have elected a county manager and a county executive.
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
SECTION 1 CIVICS HOLT
IN PRACTICE
Question: How are local governments established, and why are they needed?
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How Local
Governments Are
Established
State governments establish local governments and grant them powers.
Why Local
Governments Are
Needed
They provide and manage services to the community.
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
CIVICS HOLT
IN PRACTICE
Section 2: Town, Township, and Village Governments
The Main Idea
Although counties are the largest unit of local government, they share the job of governing with other units of local government.
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Reading Focus
Where did town government begin, and what is the purpose of the town meeting?
Why did townships and special districts develop, and how does each function?
Why are villages and boroughs created, and how do they operate?
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
CIVICS HOLT
IN PRACTICE
Section 2: Town, Township, and Village Governments
Town Governments
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Town governments began in the New England colonies.
Today, selectmen and selectwomen are elected to manage the town’s affairs.
Officials discuss the town business and a vote is taken on each item.
Population growth has inhibited direct democracy.
Higher populations require more local services.
Town managers and representative town meetings have developed.
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
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CIVICS HOLT
IN PRACTICE
Section 2: Town, Township, and Village Governments
Townships
First type: developed in the Middle Atlantic states; maintained roads and schools and assisted the poor
Second type: divisions of land in the
Midwestern states that were developed by
Congress in 1785 as part of a surveying system
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
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CIVICS HOLT
IN PRACTICE
Section 2: Town, Township, and Village Governments
Special Districts
Developed to serve special needs of an area
The most numerous form of local government
Operated by a commission
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
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CIVICS HOLT
IN PRACTICE
Section 2: Town, Township, and Village Governments
Villages and Boroughs
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Created when populations grow and need to organize
Self governing municipalities
Collect taxes and provide local services
Governed by a council with an executive
(mayor)
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
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SECTION 2 CIVICS HOLT
IN PRACTICE
Question: Where did town government begin, and how has it changed?
Where Town
Government Began
New England colonies
How It Has
Changed
Citizens used to be able to vote on issues directly, now representatives vote on issues.
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
CIVICS HOLT
IN PRACTICE
Section 3: City Government
The Main Idea
A city is usually larger than a town or village. In many cities a large population is crowded into a relatively small area, which creates many challenges for city government.
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Reading Focus
How are city governments organized under the home-rule system?
What are the different forms of city government?
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
CIVICS HOLT
IN PRACTICE
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AND
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CIVICS HOLT
IN PRACTICE
Section 3: City Government
Cities
Are larger than other local governments.
Often have large populations crowded into a small area.
Must deal with education, health, safety, transportation, sanitation, water supply, and fire and police protection.
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
CIVICS HOLT
IN PRACTICE
Section 3: City Government
City Governments
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Established by and receive charters from state legislatures
Some cities have been granted home rule and can write their own charters.
Home rule cities manage their own affairs.
Some states limit the independence of their cities’ governments.
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
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CIVICS HOLT
IN PRACTICE
Section 3: City Government
Different types of city governments and their functions:
Mayor Council Government
—
Mayor prepares the budget, proposes laws, and appoints officials; city council passes laws and approves the mayor’s appointments; cities have weak mayor plans and strong mayor plans.
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
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CIVICS HOLT
IN PRACTICE
Section 3: City Government
Different types of city governments and their functions:
(continued)
Commission Government
—
Board of commissioners passes laws and carries out the functions of government.
Council-Manager Government
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City council passes laws and appoints the city manager, who proposes laws and appoints department heads.
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
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SECTION 3
CIVICS HOLT
IN PRACTICE
Question: How are city governments established?
How City Governments Are
Established charter granted by state government the state gives the city permission to write its own charter under home rule
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
CIVICS HOLT
IN PRACTICE
Section 4: How Governments Work Together
The Main Idea
You live under three levels of government—local, state, and federal. Without cooperation among these levels, everyday life would not run smoothly.
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Reading Focus
How do the different levels of government work together?
How do governments cooperate to meet people’s needs?
In what ways are different levels of government in competition?
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
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CIVICS HOLT
IN PRACTICE
Section 4: How Governments Work Together
Division of powers among levels of government:
Local, state, and federal governments have clearly defined powers.
Each level of government has the power needed to do its job.
All levels of government obey the U.S. Constitution.
The federal system keeps the powers of each level clearly defined.
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
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CIVICS HOLT
IN PRACTICE
Section 4: How Governments Work Together
The federal government is involved in building roads.
Roads were originally local projects.
As the country grew, Congress voted to federally fund roads connecting the east to the west.
Late 1800s
— state funds first used to manage local roads
Interstate highway system is a joint effort of state and federal governments.
Good roads contribute to the safety and well being of all citizens.
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
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CIVICS HOLT
IN PRACTICE
Section 4: How Governments Work Together
Government functions requiring the cooperation of different levels of government:
Public education
— funds and services from the state; schools controlled by local boards; special funds from the federal government
Federal Bureau of Investigation and the local and state police
— work together and share state crime laboratories
Stores and businesses
— state licensing boards ensure quality local services; grants in aid and block grants given to state and local governments from federal government
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
SECTION 4
CIVICS HOLT
IN PRACTICE
Question: Why did the federal government become involved in the building of roads?
The United States expanded.
Highways were needed to connect the East and the West.
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The automobile necessitated a complex system of national highways.
The federal government became involved in the planning, building, and maintenance of the highway system to facilitate the movement of people and goods.
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
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Chapter 9 Wrap-Up
CIVICS HOLT
IN PRACTICE
1. How are local governments established?
2. What are the origins of the county system of government in the United States?
3. Explain where town government began and how it has changed over time.
4. When are villages and boroughs created, and how do they operate?
5. Define the term city and explain the services city governments provide for the residents.
6. How do city governments get their power and structure?
7. In which areas do the three levels of government—local, state, and federal—cooperate?
8. What difficulties could occur if different levels of government did not cooperate?
HOLT, RINEHART
AND
WINSTON
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