Act 4: The Structure of State and Local Governments
Act Study Guide Questions
Federalism:
1. Under the federal form of government, the ___NATIONAL______ government is supreme.
2. Powers of the national government are __DELEGATED_ or _GIVEN _ in the Consitution of the United
States.
3. Powers not given to the national government are __RESERVED_ for the _STATES_.
4. Where does local government get its power from?
VIRGINIA CONSTITUTION AND VIRGINIA GOVERNMENT
5. What are the primary responsibilties of the national level of government? (List THREE)
(1) REGULATE COMMERCE (2) CONDUCT FOREIGN POLICY (3) PROVIDES FOR THE
COMMON DEFENSE
6. What are the primary responsiblities of the state level of government? (List THREE)
(1) PROMOTE PUBLIC HEALTH (2) PROMOTE PUBLIC WELFARE (3) PROMOTE PUBLIC
SAFETY
7. Are any powers shared between the national and state governments? _YES_(yes or no)
8. Are any powers denied to both the national and state governments? _YES_(yes or no)
SOL 7a:
9. What is the structure of Virginia’s state government? Who makes up each branch?
Branch: LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
Branch: EXECUTIVE BRANCH
Branch: JUDICIAL BRANCH
Who is it? GENERAL ASSEMBLY
BICAMERAL – VA SENATE AND
HOUSE OF DELEGATES
Who is it? GOVERNOR, LT.
GOVERNOR, AND ATTORNEY
GENERAL
SOL 7c:
10. Write out or illustrate the lawmaking process in Virginia.
Step One:
Step Two:
Step Three:
INTRODUCE
COMMITTEE
DEBATE
Who is it? VA SUPREME COURT,
VA STATE COURTS
Step Four:
VOTE
Step Five:
GOVERNOR, SIGNS
OR VETOS
11. The state level focuses on certain issues in the legislative process. What are FIVE of these primary state
issues? (1) EDUCATION (2) PUBLIC HEALTH (3) ENVIRONMENT (4) STATE BUDGET (5) REVENUE
SOL 7d:
12. In what document does the Governor find his/her powers described? VA CONSTITUTION
13. What are the main jobs/powers of the state executive branch? (At least THREE)
(1) ADMINISTER/ENFORCE LAWS (2) REGULATE STATE BUSINESSES (3) PROVIDE SERVICES
14. In the boxes below, identify and illustrate the FIVE roles of the Governor.
Chief of _STATE_
_COMMANDER_Chief
Chief
Illustration:
in-Chief
_ADMINISTRATOR_
_LEGISLATOR_
Illustration:
Illustration:
Illustration:
Chief of _PARTY_
Illustration:
SOL 8:
15. What are the TWO WAYS local governments can get their powers?
VA Constitution and State Government can give extra powers
16. What DOCUMENT lists the powers of towns and cities?
Charter
17. What is the structure of the government for towns and cities? Who makes up each branch?
Branch: Legislative
Branch: Executive
Branch: Judicial
Who is it?
Council
Who is it?
Mayor
Who is it?
Local Courts
18. What is the structure of the government for counties? Who makes up each branch?
Branch: Legislative
Branch: Executive
Branch: Judicial
Who is it?
Board of Supervisors
Who is it?
None however, Sheriff normally
enforces laws.
Who is it?
Local Courts
19. What is the job of the School Board?
Oversee the operations of the k-12 public schools
20. What is the job of the Manager for counties, towns and cities?
Oversee the operations of the local government
21. What is the job of the Sheriff?
Enforce State and Local Laws
22. What are the powers of the local governments in Virginia? (Note: There are FIVE POWERS)
Economics Development, educate children, promote public health, protect public safety, protect the
environment
SOL 9c:
Next to the examples below, match the international issues to the power the local government would use to
take care of the issue. Keep in mind, all of these examples are made-up.
Answer Bank:
A. Protect the environment
B.Create economic development policies
C. Protect public health
D. Protect public safety
23. __D_There are members of an international terrorist group living in Ashburn.
24. _A__An endangered frog lives in Leesburg.
25. _B__Loudoun County wants more businesses from Japan to set up stores in the county.
26. _C_Thousands of Loudoun County citizens have caught the H1N1 Pandemic.