Reviewing Key Terms
Match the term with the correct definition.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
public utility
mandate
criminal case
initiative
civil case
F. item veto
G. regressive tax
H. intergovernmental revenue
I. bicameral
J. workers’ compensation
___
G
tax in which people with lower incomes pay a larger
portion of their incomes
___
I
two-house legislative body
___
C
one in which state brings charges against a citizen for
violating the law
___
H
revenue distributed by one level of government to
another
___
A
an organization that supplies such necessities as
electricity, gas, or telephone service
Reviewing Key Terms
Match the term with the correct definition.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
public utility
mandate
criminal case
initiative
civil case
F. item veto
G. regressive tax
H. intergovernmental revenue
I. bicameral
J. workers’ compensation
___
E
one usually involving a dispute between two or more
private individuals or organizations
___
B
a formal order given by a higher authority
___
D
a method by which citizens propose a constitutional
amendment or a law
___
J
payments people unable to work as a result of jobrelated injury or ill health receive
___
F
the power to turn down a particular item in a bill without
vetoing the entire bill
Recalling Facts
1. What is the method most states use to ratify an
amendment to a state constitution?
Most states use a popular vote to ratify an
amendment to a state constitution.
2. What are the political qualifications that a
person must meet to become governor?
A candidate should have experience serving in
state and local government and should possess
a knowledge of law.
Recalling Facts
3. What are four methods that states use to
appoint state judges?
States use popular election, election by state
legislatures, appointment by the governor, and
the Missouri Plan to appoint state judges.
4. How do states regulate public utilities?
All states regulate the rates that public utility
companies may charge customers in return for
granting the company the right to supply service
in the state or part of the state.
Recalling Facts
5. In what three ways do federal grants influence
the states?
Federal grants supply funds for programs
that states otherwise might not be able to
afford; they stimulate programs and goals
that the federal government believes are
necessary; they set certain minimum
standards in the states.
Understanding Concepts
1. Federalism In the federal system, how is
sovereign power divided among state and
federal laws and constitutions?
State laws must be consistent with the state
constitution, just as federal laws must agree
with the United States Constitution. A state
constitution cannot contain provisions that clash
with the Constitution of the United States, nor
can a state law.
Understanding Concepts
2. Separation of Powers What legislative policymaking role is a governor expected to fill?
A governor is to direct important legislation
(propose and sign legislation) and to identify
state needs.
Critical Thinking
1. Making Comparisons How do state
constitutions compare in length and detail to the
United States Constitution?
In general, state constitutions are longer and
contain much more specific detail than does the
United States Constitution.
Critical Thinking
2. Understanding Cause and Effect Use a
graphic organizer like the one below to show
why spending for education differs among
local districts.
Cause: each local district has a different
tax base that determines its ability to
support education
Interpreting Political Cartoons Activity
1. What is the subject of this cartoon?
state funding of education and schools
Interpreting Political Cartoons Activity
2. As depicted here, how are state funds allocated
to schools?
In the situation depicted in the cartoon, students
pay a meter to receive academic instruction.
Students decide how much education they will
receive by how much money they deposit in
the meter.
Interpreting Political Cartoons Activity
3. How does the cartoonist feel about the current
funding system?
Possible answer: Differences in the total amount of
spending per pupil exist among the states and among
localities within states. Differences in spending on education
between rich and poor school districts have become vast in
some states. Many state courts have claimed such
differences are unconstitutional. The cartoonist jokes about
the capability of some students to pay for their education.
Why do state governments hold the
right to issue occupational and
professional licenses?
Licenses are a form of consumer
protection, helping to ensure that people
working in various professions have the
appropriate qualifications for doing so.