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46 Cards in this Set

  • Front
  • Back

List some of the functions of local government

Infrastructure, building & zoning code, parks, public schools, public safety, health public libraries, trash and hazardous

How do local governments vary

Purpose, scope, jurisdiction, governing structure and taxing authority

Name the three basic forms of local government

Municipal, Counties and Special Districts

List the responsiblities of the county

Provide a justice system, maintenance infrastructure, provide services outside towns, superintendent elections, administration property tax, health and hospitals

Explain what County Commissioners do



Elected in staggered terms. Act as legislative (create budgets), pass ordinances, make policies, and manage employees

Explain who makes up Council-Executive County System and their responsibilities

County Commission elected and actually as legislative body (pass ordinances and approve budget). County executive selected by the commission and serves as CEO (prepares budget and implements law)

Explain who makes upCommission-Administrator and their responsibilities

Commission appoints a professional to act as a CAO.

The different forms of Municipal governments

Mayor-Council, Council Manager, City Commission, and Town Meeting system

How are forms of governments for towns and cities determined?

The state determines statutes that citizens can pick from

Describe the characteristic(s) of a strong Mayor System

Strong executive powers

Describe the characteristic(s) of a weak mayor system

Serves as a ceremonial role, Council appoints a manager

Explain who makes up Council-Manager system in municipalities and their roles

Council passes laws and makes policy, City manager acts as Chief Administrative Officer

Describe who makes upCommission Style in municipalities and their roles

Commission acts as legislative and executive. Each in charge of a department and elect a mayor. Very rare today

Explain Town Meetings

Each citizen is a voting member, usually approve budgets and pass ordinances

What are Townships

Small government in rural areas, elect town supervisors to run government. Concerned with road maintenance

Explain Special Districts

Districts set up to provide for public service (school, sewer, water, public transit). Can have special tax powers

Explain in detail Dillon's rule

The powers of locals are determined by the state constitution. The state legislature determine the kinds of tax's locals can leavy. State's require annual financial reports and locals in trouble can be taken over.

Describe unfunded mandates

State's require locals to provide funds for programming they must implement

Explain the difference between General Law Charters and Home Rule Charters

General are templates provided by the state. Home Rule give locals more power in determining structure, purpose and power.

Describe regionalism

Multiple governments work together for mutual benefit

Name the three different historical economic patterns of US

Agricultural, Industrial, and Globalization

List the qualifications for a Metro area

At least 50k population, it has strong ties to adjacent communities

Explain the effect of 'White Flight'

Jobs leave the urban center, so those who can afford leave (generally white) and those who can't afford to leave (generally minorities) stay and can't find jobs. This leaves pockets of poverty that cannot solve themselves

Describe the nature of suburbs

They use zoning to separate residential, commercial and industrial. They have a great sprawl that requires a car for transportation which means inner city cannot access jobs. The suburbs get more property taxes, thus better services

Explain regional planning authorities

Elected councils and planning staffs that make decisions to benefit entire regions

Explain Urban Growth Boundaries

Grow vertically, cannot expand past to create low density areas. It saves on infrastructure and allows for mass transit. Three states use it

Explain regional council of governments

Made up of representatives from member governments, supported by member dues. They can apply for grants. It permits coordination of government but not required

Explain Special Districts

Multiple governments to combine to scake economy for members (e.x. school, water and fire fighter districts)

List the break down of funding for schools

44% state


44% local


12% federal

Where does state and local funding for education come from?

State: Income and Lottery (27 states)


Local: state and property tax

Explain Tax & Expenditure Limitations and the results

TELs reduce the rate property taxes can expand, creating pressure on school districts to keep cost down. Most states have property tax limitations

Explain the current state of education equity

States need to provide for equal k-12 education. In reality wealthy districts can keep rates low and still take in enough while poor districts need to raise rates to take in more because it costs more to run.

List the state responsiblities in education

Teacher licensing standards, educational requirements, national teacher exam requirements, school accreditation, curriculum standards, graduation requirements, and funding to locals

How do local school districts make policies

Elect school boards who appoint a superintendent that acts as CEO. He hires staff to implement board policies. The local spending can be set by city council or board of education.

Explain how education reform takes place

States create standards and schools must meet them. Federal government can use conditional spending

Explain the School Standards Movement

It standardizes educational achievement, what students should learn in each grade by creation of tests and exams. It lead to Common Core State Standards. Not a federal requirement.

How do school districts recruit teachers

School Boards set the pay, which makes up the largest portion of the budget. Teachers make a large difference in quality of education.

Explain Charter Schools

An alternative to Public Schools, they receive funding from per pupil expenditures. Operating independently, they are accountable for the student. Research shows are negative but inconclusive

Explain school vouchers

Students received education grant to spend at the school of their choice. Good schools attract more students, bad schools die or improve. Mixed evidence of success

Give a brief explanation of the Criminal Justice System

The state brings chargers against the accused and hopefully to trial, which a state judge presides over. The judge can sentence the guilty to prohibition, jail (misdemeanors), prison (felonies) or other penalties such as community service or fine.

What are the goals of the CJS?

Prevent private retribution


A fair trial


Retribution


Incapacitation


Deterrence

What are overlapping jurisdictions?

Federal takes care of federal crimes, crimes on reservations, and interstate crimes.


State does same on crimes in state that violate state statues.


State and local work (and compete) with federal in investigation and charging of criminals

How does the US compare historically and to other Western countries in incarceration rates

Incarceration rates are historically high (particularly in prisons), higher than other developed nations, violent and property crimes have decreased

Why does the United States have higher incarceration rates?

War on drugs widened incarceration rates, especially for young and minorities.


Three strike rules create longer sentences


Creation of guidelines decreased judicial discretion.


Judicial elections favor high incarcerations

Race and CJS

Blacks receive 20% longer sentences


1/3 of all blacks in CJS


Private corporations profit by renting prison space to government


Private corporations become power lobbyist

What reforms are suggested?

Reducing sentences for non-violent offenses


Repeal Mandatory minimum sentencing requirements


Creating diversion programs to deal with drug abuse and mental illness


Reclassifying some felonies as misdemeanors with shorter sentences


Instituting "Presumptive parole" which assumes prisoners is ready for parole after serving term, rather than parole board deciding.


Banning discrimination against people who have served a period of incarceration