Georgia’s Constitution

1. Topic: Part 1-Foundations in GovernmentStandard: SS8CG1EQ: How does the Georgia Constitution provide the framework for the rights and responsibilities of citizens and government?

2. Georgia’s Constitution • Georgia’s constitution is the highest body of laws in the state, gives right to control government to voters • We adopted the first state constitution in 1777. Remember , it was a complete failure!!!! • Purpose is to ensure freedom, liberty, justice, peace, and happiness for all Georgians • It is based on the same principles as the US Government. The U.S. Constitution and State Constitution both have a preamble and a bill of rights. • The state constitution is made up of a Preamble, 11 articles (which divide the duties of state government among the three branches), and 21 rights for all Georgians.

3. Basic Structure of Georgia’s Constitution • The Constitution is made up of the Preamble, 11 articles, and amendments • Preamble- Introduction and states purpose of the constitution • Articles (There are Eleven) • Article I : Bill of RightsArticle II: Voting & ElectionsArticle III: Legislative BranchArticle IV: Constitutional Boards & Commissions • Article V: Executive Branch • Article VI: Judicial Branch • Article VII: Taxation & Finance • Article VIII: Education • Article IX: Counties & Municipal Corporations • Article X: Amendments to the Constitution • Article XI: Miscellaneous Provisions PREAMBLE ARTICLES

4. Major Articles of the Constitution • Article I (one): Bill of Rights • Lists the rights of citizens • Right To Life, Liberty, & Prosperity • Freedom of Speech • Freedom of Press • Right to Defend Oneself in Court • Article X (ten): Amendments to the Constitution • Two ways to amend the State’s Constitution • Proposals by General Assembly • Constitutional Convention .

5. ARTICLES & PARTICLES!!!! How many constitutions has Georgia had? What happened to the 1777?

6. The Three Branches of Government • The three branches of government are the: • Executive Branch: Carries out laws • Legislative Branch: Make laws • Judicial Branch: Evaluates or reviews laws • . Have you ever had more than one person try to lead the line? Separation of powers • Each branch depends on the others to work effectively. • Each branch has a separate, distinct powers that cannot be taken away by either of the other two branches

7. Checks and balances • Dividing the basic functions of government into three branches ensures that no single branch has more power than the other. • Each branch can check the power of the others, ensuring that no branch becomes too powerful. • This is called checks and balances: Example 1 – The General Assembly (Legislative) may pass a bill, but the Governor (Executive) may veto it.

8. Who Makes Up Georgia’s 3 Branches?

9. Comparing and Contrasting

10. Legislative Executive The Legislative Branch _______________ laws. In Georgia it is called the _____________________. 2 Major Parts __________________ __________________ The Executive Branch _______________ laws. The highest member of GA’s executive branch is _____________________. 2 Other Members __________________ ______________ Judicial The Judicial Branch _______________ laws. The Georgia Supreme _____________ is the head of this branch. 2 Examples: ________________ ________________ Our Branches of Government

11. Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens • The U.S. Constitution and the Georgia State Constitution both guarantee all citizens have basic rights.Just a few of those rights include: • Right to free speech • • Right to worship freely • • Right to a trial by jury • But you also have responsibilities including: • Pay Taxes • Serve on Jury Duty

12. Voting Qualifications In Georgia • 1. Who can vote? Citizen of the U.S., legal resident of Georgia and the county in which one wishes to vote, 18 years old on election day. You can register when you are 17 ½ • 2. Who can’t vote? convicted of a felony or capital crime; declared mentally incompetent by a judge • 3. What must one do to vote? register (one must be registered 30 days before an election)

13. Elections In Georgia • When are elections held in Georgia? • Primary Elections • Held the 1st Tuesday in July • General Elections • Held the 1st Tuesday in November • Who is the Chief Election Officer in Georgia? • Secretary of State’s office • Do you have to register to vote? • YES! You can’t just register the day you want to vote. • Voter registration deadlines are usually 30 days before an election • When are presidential elections held? • Presidential elections, according to the US Constitution, must be held every four years on the first Tuesday of November

14. Role of political parties in government • Democrats and Republicans are the two dominant parties • Nominating candidates • Organizing campaigns and funding candidates • Educating the electorate about issues. • Each party has major concerns or platforms. • The democrats dominated Georgia’s government for over 100 years. • Now the Republican party is a strong influence. • The governor, lt. governor & most legislators are all Republicans.

15. If the Shoe was on the Other Foot Take a look at these scenarios and pretend you were the person in the scenario… Would you be eligible to vote in Georgia? Scenario A You just moved to Atlanta from Houston, TX. It is December and you decide that that you wants to vote in this year’s presidential election. Who handles voter registration in Georgia? Can you vote in this year’s election? Why or why not? Scenario B You have just been released from prison for robbery – a felony crime. You are not on probation and you are anxious to find a job and get on with your life. Your friends are encouraging you to vote for Senator Barack Obama for president. You are hesitant because you don’t know if you are eligible to vote. You are not registered to vote. The election is in six weeks. Can you vote in the election? Why or why not? Scenario C You have suffered from many mental disabilities most of your adult life. You work at the local grocery store and own your home. The neighborhood kids even call you the crazy person because you sit on your front porch and whispers to yourself. You are registered to vote. Can you vote in the election? Why or why not?

16. Executive Branch Key Player: The President Job of Executive Branch: There are many!  Sets important issues for Congress to work on  Signs a bill into law or vetoes it  Makes sure that the government carries out law Cares about: All Americans! Legislative Branch Key Players: Congress made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate Job of Legislative Branch: Write and pass bills Cares about: Their constituents or the people who have elected them to office Judicial Branch Key Players: The Supreme Court Job of Judicial Branch: Makes sure people are playing by the rules! Cares about: The Constitution or the rulebook for the government

17. Topic: Part 2- Georgia’s Legislative BranchStandard: SS8CG2EQ: Who are Georgia’s lawmakers?

18. Our General Assembly • The Legislative Branch is called the General Assembly. • It is a bicameral legislature made up 2 houses of the House of Representatives and the State Senate: • Qualifications for Office: • • U.S. Citizenship • • GA Citizenship for at least two years • • Legal residence in their district for at least one year • • Senators must be 25 years old • • Representatives must be 21 years old • • House has 180 & Senate has 56 members

19. The Work Life of our General Assembly • How Long can they be in office? • 2 years with no limits on consecutive terms • When do they work? • Legislative session beings on the 2nd Monday in January • They only have 40 days to work, they can be called back later in the year for special sessions • Where do they work? • The State Capital in downtown Atlanta • What do they do? • Their main duty is to make laws to ensure the welfare of their constituents. • A constituent is a citizen living in the district of an elected official

20. Develop a want ad for Georgia’s General Assembly • What would be the qualifications? • Include when and where they would be requested to work. • What would the job require them to do? • Why does the job need to be filled?

21. Leadership and Organization of the General Assembly • Who runs the General Assembly? • Senate: LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR (2ND IN LINE TO SUCCEED THE GOVERNOR) • House of Representative: SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE (3RD IN LINE TO SUCCEED THE GOVERNOR) • What are the Senate leaders titles? • 1.President of the Senate (elected by state citizens) • A. The ability to cast a vote if there is a tie • B. The power to make committee assignments • C. The power to name committee chairmen. • 2. President Pro Tempore (serves with Lt. Gov. is absent) Secretary, Administrative Floor Leader, Messenger , Doorkeeper • What are the House of Representative leaders titles? • Speaker of the House (elected bv the house of representatives) • Speaker Pro Tempore, Clerk, Messenger, Sheriff, and Doorkeeper

22. Committees are the Heart • Members of the Georgia house and senate are organized into committees. • All bills must be studied and reviewed by a house or senate committee before they can be brought to either the whole house or sent for a vote. • The committee system makes it possible for members to study bills closely. There would not be time for such study if each bill were discussed only by the entire house or senate. • The heart of the law making process • standing committees: permanent part of the General Assembly • interim committee: works on assigned special tasks • conference committee: works out agreements between House and Senate on bills • joint committee: has members of House and Senate to work on assigned topic or issue • The most important committees are involved with taxation, appropriations (spending public money), judiciary, education, and house rules.

23. CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO CLIP The Heart of the Legislative Process Video Questions 1) What is the name of Georgia’s legislature? ____________________________________________ 2) What are the two houses in the Georgia Legislature? ______________________________________ 3) How many Representatives are in the Georgia House of Representatives? ______________________________________ 4) How many Senators in the Georgia Senate? ______________________________________ 5) For how long does the Georgia Legislature meet each year? ________________________ 6) When does the legislative session begin each year in Georgia? ________________________________ 7) The Georgia Legislature can pass any law that is “necessary _____________________________________________________________

24. For A Bill To Become A Law 5 Steps for a Bill to become a Law: 1. Brain Storm– Legislators write the text of the bill (Drafts the law). 2. Introduction – The bill is introduced to either the Senate or House of Representatives for consideration. 3. Committees– The bill is assigned to a committee that reviews and analyzes the bill. The bill may be recommended or killed at this time. 4. Floor Vote– A vote is called during a regular session. If the bill is passed in majority by the house, it goes to the other house for consideration. 5. Governor Consideration – Once both houses pass the bill it is sent to the governor. The governor can then send the bill into law or veto the bill (send it back to the General Assembly to be changed or eliminated). If he does nothing with it, it becomes a law

25. Poor Bill 1. Do you think it is an easy process for a bill to become a law? Why or why not?

26. Topic: Part 3- Georgia’s Executive BranchStandard: SS8CG3EQ:

27. Our #1 Executive Spot Georgia’s #1, Chief Executive is the Governor Qualifications for Governor • 30 years old • U.S. citizen for fifteen years • Citizen of Georgia for six years Duties of the Governor • Elected by a popular vote of all eligible Georgia voters • Serves four-year terms • May propose new programs or laws • Is limited to two consecutive terms • May call special legislative sessions or veto bills • May propose and direct the state budget • May appoint members of state boards NATHAN DEAL Georgia’s Governor

28. Powers and Duties of the Governor • The constitution outlines the governor’s formal powers • Examples of formal powers • -Enforcing civil and criminal laws • -Appointing state officials and justices (judges) • -Signing bills into law • -Reporting the “state of the state” • -Managing the state budget • -Commander In Chief of out military forces (GA’s National Guard) • -He has a line item veto- He can veto part of the bill without having to veto all of it. Not all governors have this power! The president doesn’t even have it. • Sometimes He has informal powers that are not stated in the constitution • -Representing the state in meetings • -Meeting with business and industry leaders from other states or nations to encourage them to expand their business in Georgia.

29. Next In Line- Lieutenant Governor Georgia’s #2, second highest member of the Executive Branch is the Lieutenant Governor. • The office of governor becomes vacant, the Lt. Governor takes over until the next election…THEREFORE… • The qualifications for office are identical to the Governor’s • Unlike the Governor, the Lt. Governor has no terms limits • Unlike President and Vice President of the U.S., the Governor and Lt. Governor do not run on the same ticket. • It is possible, then, for them to be in different political parties!!! • The Lt. Governor is President of the Senate and is, therefore, the only officer who is a member of two branches of government!!! Casey Cagle Georgia’s Lt. Governor

30. 6 Major Officials of the Executive Branch These officials are elected at the same time and serve the same term as the governor 1. Attorney General – serves as the state’s attorney in court2. Secretary of State – handles all administrative duties in the state, including recordkeeping, chartering new businesses, supervising elections, and regulating the sale of corporate stocks and bonds3. State School Superintendent – heads the Department of Education; certifies teachers, approves textbooks and distributes educational funds; this department as the largest budget of all state agencies 4. Agriculture Commissioner – oversees and regulates the state’s agriculture industry, including food production, consumer safety, and livestock (decisions made by this office are critical to the economy, since agriculture is a major industry in GA) 5. Insurance Commissioner – regulates insurance businesses and protects consumers6. Labor Commissioner – investigates labor complaints, works to protect the health and safety of industrial workers, and handles unemployment insurance

31. Major Departments of the Executive Branch

33. Topic: Part 4- Georgia’s Local GovernmentsStandard: SS8CG5EQ:

34. County Governments -Just as the United States is subdivided into 50 states, so the state of Georgia is subdivided into 159 counties (more than any other state except Texas) -Georgia’s first permanent state constitution, the Constitution of 1777, established the state’s first eight counties -Services and functions increased over the years to include elections, road building and repair, conducting local courts, automobile licensing's, welfare/public assistance programs, parks, libraries, and public education -Counties are ran/governed by an elected commissioner or a board of commissioners -Georgia is unique because it is the only state in the U.S. that allows counties to choose between a single commissioner or a board of commissioners.

35. City Governments *Each county contains multiple cities *Georgia has 535 cities *Must receive a charter from the state to create a new town (200 residents, at least 3 miles away from nearest town, 2/3 of land used for residential and business) *Mayor council or council management system *Power to provide local police, license businesses, maintain streets and sidewalks, control traffic, provide water and sewage services *A city operating on its own is called a municipality

37. Forms of Municipal Government • Municipal governments come in different forms. • In all forms residents elect members to a city council (the legislative branch). • The forms differ according to the make-up of the executive branch. • Weak Mayor-Council – Has a weak mayor. Mayor is elected by the voters, but has no special executive powers (no power to veto, choose committee members, or overriding say in the budget). • Strong Mayor-Council – Has a powerful mayor. Mayor is elected by voters in the city and can veto legislation passed by the city council. The mayor can also choose people to run the city’s services and runs the city’s budget. • Council-Manager – City set up like a corporation. The city has a City Manager (head of the Executive Branch). The City Manager decides who is in charge of city services and runs the city’s budget. In this form, the mayor is a member of the legislative branch like the rest of the city council. Kasim Reed Atlanta’s Mayor

39. Difference between City and County Governments 1. Origins: Counties are created by the state constitution, while cities are created by a charter from the state legislature, the General Assembly. 2. Services: Counties and cities must agree on who provides what service, in order to avoid duplication. Sometimes, there is conflict between county and city jurisdiction. 3. Form of Government: Counties have a county commission while cities have one of three government forms: strong mayor, weak mayor, or council manager

40. Special Purpose Districts • In addition to County and City government, Georgia also • has a form of local government, established by cities or • counties to meet specific needs, called Special-Purpose Districts or Administrations • Special-Purpose Administrations are funded by loans or user fees (not taxes). • • Special-Purpose Administrations are flexible, can provide services across county or city lines, and have a single need. • • Examples of Special-Purpose Administrations include • Downtown Development Authorities – Maintain and rebuild the downtowns of cities. • Recreation and Parks Authorities – Maintain and develop land for parks and recreation areas in counties. • Housing Authorities – Manage housing options in counties. • School Districts • Ex. MARTA , Fulton County School System

41. Local and State Governments Work Together Counties (usually not cities) work together to administer state programs. *Every county in Georgia conducts local courts, voter registration and elections *There are 4 major county positions that help counties run state programs 1. Sheriff – the chief law enforcement official in a county. 2. Tax Commissioner – tax collection. 3. Clerk of the Superior Court – keeps court records, administers oaths, and is the keeper of the court seal. 4. Judge of the Probate Court – oversees estates, marriages, adoptions, name changes, etc.

42. Define the term “special-purpose district” Give 2 examples of special purpose districts The city of College Park is ran with a council manager. The city of Atlanta is ran by a strong mayor council. What is the difference between the two models? Give 3 differences between city & county governments What are 4 positions that help counties run state programs? Local Governments

43. Topic: Part 5- State RevenueStandard: SS8E4EQ:

44. Funding the State Government State governments collect revenue (money needed to run the government) from five major sources: Sales Tax – a tax paid on things people buy and consume (also called a “consumption tax”), such as store merchandise 2. Federal Grants – The U.S. government gives states grants to help with education or to build interstate highways 3. Personal Income Tax – the U.S. government, state government, and some city governments tax the earnings of citizens from their employment or investments. 4. Property Taxes – Private homes, land, and business property are taxed according to their value. 5. The largest non-tax revenue source for Georgia is the state lottery.

45. How are state funds distributed? • Georgia’s government, at all levels, provide a variety of services for citizens. • The largest expenditure, at the state level, is education (54% of total budget). • Other expenditures include wages and salaries of government employees (23%), public safety (8%), transportation (5%), interest on state debt (5%), general government (2%), legislative and judicial (1%), economic development (1%), and natural resources (1%). • The creation of the state budget (by the Governor) and the evaluation and approval process (by the General Assembly) help to determine how the state’s revenue is spent.

46. Money, Money, Money, What is revenue? What is our largest source of revenue? Who makes our state’s budget? What are the 4 types of taxes? What is most of our state’s budget spent on?