Ameican Gov Ch 11 Identify

Front 1

The oldest written Constitution now in force

Back 1

Massachusetts Constitution

Front 2

The basic sections of a typical state constitution and explanation of each section

Back 2

1. Preamble- short introductory statement

2. Bill of Rights- lists the basic rights of the people and Limits The Power of government

3. Description of state government- provides for three separate branches of state government and lists officials, terms in office, qualifications, duties, and Powers

4. General provisions- deal with voting qualifications, collection of taxes, education, Etc.

5. Description of local government- provides for local subdivisions of state government

6. Provisions for change- deals with the process of amendments and revisions

Front 3

Three methods of proposing Constitutional Amendments used among the states

Back 3

Convention proposal, legislative proposal (most common), and initiative proposal

Front 4

The US Constitution Amendment that deals with reserved powers

Back 4

10th

Front 5

One of the most important functions of state government

Back 5

Law enforcement

Front 6

Typical qualifications for State Governor

Back 6

Let's meet a minimum age requirement, be a US citizen and have been a resident of the state for a minimum period of time

Front 7

Three important legislative powers held by most governors

Back 7

Power to recommend legislation, call special sessions of the legislature, and veto acts passed by the legislature

Front 8

Clemency powers held by Governors today

Back 8

Power to Pardon an offender, retrieve a sentence, commuted sentence, and parole a prisoner

Front 9

Only state legislature that has a unicameral legislature

Back 9

Nebraska

Front 10

Executive and judicial powers that state legislatures hold

Back 10

Approving the governor's appointments, sometimes can appoint executive officers, impeach executive and judicial officers, resolve disputes regarding the election a qualifications of its own members, and to discipline its own members

Front 11

The key leaders of a state legislature

Back 11

Speaker of the House, president of the Senate, and the president pro tempore

Front 12

Four methods of voting commonly used by state legislatures

Back 12

Voice vote, standing vote, teller vote, and roll call vote (records decision)

Front 13

Percentage of court cases handled in the United States by state courts

Back 13

90%

Front 14

Four levels of state courts from lowest to highest

Back 14

Lower State Courts which consists of a judge and no jury

General trial courts which deals with criminal and civil cases provided by a single judge and utilizes a jury

Appellate courts which hear appeals from the Lower State Courts

state supreme court the highest court in the state and usually presided over by five to seven judges

Front 15

Officers typically found in County Government

Back 15

Sheriff, County Assessor, Treasurer, auditor, Clerk or recorder, district attorney or State's Attorney, coroner or County Medical Examiner, superintendent of schools, County president or County Manager

Front 16

Three basic forms of city government

Back 16

Mayor-council form in which the mayor and the council are usually elected by voters at Large

Commission form where popularly elected Commissioners collectively sit as a council and individually head the major Departments of city government

Council-manager form where a popularly elected council appoints a city manager to oversee the administration of city government

Front 17

Oldest and most widely used form of city government

Back 17

Mayor-council form

Front 18

Most important source of Revenue among the states

Back 18

Sales tax

Front 19

Other sources of revenue for state and local governments

Back 19

Income tax, inheritance tax, property tax, business tax, Severance tax, fees, court fines, tolls, lotteries, casino gambling