Project: Research Your State and Local Governments
Part I: Answer the following questions about your state government.
1. Who is the current governor of your state?
The current governor of California is Gavin Newsom.
2. Does your state have a lieutenant governor?
Yes, California has a lieutenant governor.
3. If your state does have a lieutenant governor, who is the current lieutenant governor of your
state?
The current lieutenant governor is Eleni Kounalakis, a Democrat who was sworn into office on
January 7, 2019. She is the first woman elected to the office in California history.
4. If your state does have a lieutenant governor, how is this person elected or appointed?
The lieutenant governor of California is elected in a statewide election every four years. The
lieutenant governor is elected on the same ballot as the governor, but they are not running as a
team. This means that voters can vote for a different candidate for governor and lieutenant
governor.
5. If your state does not have a lieutenant governor, who is in the line of succession to succeed
the governor? Identify the person’s name and position.
My state has a lieutenant governor, so there isn’t an alternate line of succession.
6. If your state does not have a lieutenant governor, how is the person in the line of succession to
succeed the governor elected/appointed?
My state has a lieutenant governor, so there isn’t another person in line of succession.
7. Who is the current attorney general of your state?
The current Attorney General of California is Rob Bonta. He was sworn in on April 23, 2021,
and is the first Filipino American to hold the office. Bonta previously served as a California State
Assemblymember from 2012 to 2021, representing the 18th Assembly District, which includes
parts of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
8. Does your state have a secretary of state?
Yes.
9. If your state does have a secretary of state, who is currently in this position?
The current Secretary of State of California is Shirley Weber. She was elected in 2018 and sworn
in on January 7, 2019. Weber is the first African American and first woman to serve as
California's Secretary of State.
10. If your state does not have a secretary of state, who performs the traditional duties of this
position?
My state has a secretary of state.
11. How many chambers are in your state legislature, and what are they called?
California has a bicameral legislature, meaning it has two chambers. The upper house is called
the California State Senate, and the lower house is called the California State Assembly.
12. How many members are in each chamber of your state legislature?
The California State Senate has 40 members and the California State Assembly has 80 members.
13. Two US senators represent each state. Who are the current US senators in your state?
The current US Senators of California are: Alex Padilla (D) and Dianne Feinstein (D).
14. Which congressional leader represents your district in the US House of Representatives?
Grace Napolitano is the congressional leader that represents my district in the US House of
Representatives.
Part II: Answer the following questions about your local government.
1. What is the name of your county or municipality? Does this name have any special
significance (for example, is it named after a place, person, or event?)
The name of my county or municipality is Los Angeles. Los Angeles was named after the Queen
of the Angels, Our Lady of the Angels.
2. In what year was your county or municipality incorporated or created?
It was founded in 1781 by Spanish settlers. The original name of the settlement was El Pueblo de
Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles, which means "The Town of Our Lady the Queen of the
Angels." The name was shortened to Los Angeles in the 19th century.
3. What is the population of your county or municipality?
The population of Los Angeles is 9.83 million.
4. Search the Internet to find a link to your county or municipal government. Paste the link you
find below. https://lacity.gov/
5. Go to the website of your county or municipality, and find information about the structure of
the local government. List the following information: A description of the structure of your
county or municipal government One example of a current leader (such as a mayor, council
member, city manager, or commissioner) One or more links to show where you found your
information.
The government of Los Angeles is a complex system with a variety of different branches and
agencies. The following is a brief overview of the structure of the LA government:
● The Mayor: The Mayor is the head of the city government and is elected to a four-year
term. The Mayor has the power to appoint the heads of all city departments and agencies,
and to veto any legislation passed by the City Council.
● The City Council: The City Council is a legislative body made up of 15 members, each of
whom represents a district within the city. The City Council has the power to pass laws,
approve the city budget, and confirm the Mayor's appointments.
● The City Attorney: The City Attorney is the chief legal officer for the city and is
responsible for representing the city in court. The City Attorney also has the power to
prosecute crimes and to investigate allegations of wrongdoing by city officials.
● The City Controller: The City Controller is responsible for auditing the city's finances
and for ensuring that the city is spending its money wisely. The City Controller also has
the power to investigate allegations of financial mismanagement by city officials.
● The various city departments and agencies: The city government is divided into a number
of different departments and agencies, each of which is responsible for a particular area
of city government, such as public works, transportation, or social services. These
departments and agencies are headed by directors who are appointed by the Mayor.
As an example The current mayor of Los Angeles is Karen Bass. She was elected in 2022 and is
the first woman, first African American, and first openly LGBTQ person to serve as mayor of
Los Angeles.
6. On your county or municipality’s website, find information about the services the local
government provides for citizens. Give at least three examples of these services, and paste at
least one link to show where you found your information. Your county or municipal government
may provide examples of these services in its department listings.
Three services the local government provides for citizens are as follows:
● Transportation: The LA Department of Transportation (LADOT) is responsible for a
variety of transportation services, including managing the city's bus and rail system,
maintaining roads and bridges, and overseeing traffic enforcement.
● Social Services: The LA Department of Social Services (DSS) provides a variety of
social services to the city's residents, including food assistance, housing assistance, and
childcare assistance.
● Parks and Recreation: The LA Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) operates a
network of parks, recreation centers, and libraries throughout the city.
7. On your county or municipality’s website, find the ways you can contact a member of your
county or municipal government and give at least one example. Paste one or more links to show
where you found your information.
You can contact a member of LA County government at a number; for instance,you can call the
member's office directly and speak to a staff member. The phone number for each member's
office is listed on the LA County website.
Sources: https://ladot.lacity.org/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Department_of_Children_and_Family_Services_(Los_Angeles_Co
unty)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_County_Department_of_Parks_and_Recreation
https://lacity.gov/directory