What does “government” mean to you? The purpose of government Maintain order Promote general welfare Protect the safety of citizens How does the government help protect us? How do they do it? Laws Raising money What are some laws you know? What are laws? Rule(s) that tell people in a community, state, or country how to behave. They are created to ensure order and safety. How does your government raise money? Taxes Revenue (money) the government receives in order to provide services to the public. But…what does the government do with the tax money? Schools Police Health Parks Highways Libraries Fire department Others??? Balance of power-branches of government 3 branches of government Executive Legislative Judicial Executive branch Enforces and carries out law President is the head of the executive branch Legislative branch Creates laws Congress Benjamin Latrobe designed the U.S. capitol Judicial branch Interprets laws…tells us what laws mean Courts Supreme court justices are the head of the judicial branch State government Harrisburg-capitol Edward Rendell-governor State symbols Give our state a sense of pride Remind us why our state is interesting State bird ruffed grouse State fish brook trout State fossil trilobite State flower mountain laurel State beverage milk State dog Great Dane Harrisburg State capitol Legislators meet to make laws Been the capitol since 1812 Many things in common! Harrisburg Legislators make laws Destroyed by fire at one time Interesting domed structure Located on waterSusquehanna River Washington D.C. Legislators make laws Destroyed by fire at one time Interesting domed structure Located on waterPotomac River