American Government 11 th grade Rodney Mileski

American Government 11 th grade Rodney Mileski

The State Legislatures • The basic features of government at both the national and the State levels in the United States are remarkably similar. • At both levels the governmental structure is set out in a constitution that provides for legislative, executive, and judicial branches. • Each State has a written constitution. “a land of constitutions” • A state’s constitution is superior to any and all other forms of State and local law within the State. • Each State’s constitution is subordinate to the United States Constitution; see Article VI, Section 2. • http: //www. legislature. state. oh. us/constitution. cfm *The Ohio Constitution

• http: //www. legislature. state. oh. us/ 124 th Ohio General Assembly http: //www. legislature. state. oh. us/ • The lawmaking branch of State government. • The Ohio General Assembly • The upper house is called the Senate. • The lower house is referred to as the House of Representatives. • The Ohio House of Representatives consists of 99 members. • http: //www. house. state. oh. us/jsps/Facts. jsp House Fact page http: //www. house. state. oh. us/jsps/Facts. jsp • The Ohio Senate consists of 33 members. • http: //www. senate. state. oh. us/how/ How the Senate works http: //www. senate. state. oh. us/how/

6 th District 40 th District Senator Jeff Jacobson Representative Arlene Setzer

The State legislature can pass any law that does not conflict with federal law or with any part of that State’s constitution. Most often mentioned include the powers to tax, spend, borrow, establish courts, define crimes and provide for their punishment, regulate commercial activity, and maintain public schools. “Police Power” The power to protect and promote the public health, safety, morals, and welfare.

Executive Powers Sometimes responsible for confirming a governor appointed position. In some States they appoint certain executive officeholders. Judicial Powers Power of impeachment- the legislature can remove any State executive officer or judge through that process. Judicial powers within their own assembly. Constituent Powers Constitutional-making and constitutional amendment processes.

The Committee System Ohio House of Representatives http: //house. state. oh. us/jsps/Committee. jsp Ohio Senate http: //www. senate. state. oh. us/committees/

http: //www. lsc. sta te. oh. us/guideboo k/ A guidebook for Ohio Legislatures

Initiative Through the initiative process, voters can propose by petition constitutional amendments in 17 States. In 24 States voters can use the initiative to initiate ordinary statutes. The two different types of initiatives are direct initiative and the little-used indirect initiative. Referendum A referendum is a process in which a legislative measure is referred to the State’s voters for final approval or rejection. There are three different referendums being used among the States. Ohio Constitution referring to initiative http: //www. legislature. state. oh. us/constitution. cfm? Part=2&Section=01 a Ohio Constitution referring to referendum http: //www. legislature. state. oh. us/constitution. cfm? Part=2&Section=01 c

The Ohio Governor Bob Taft http: //www. state. oh. us/gov/

• An executive • An administrator • A legislator • A party leader • An opinion leader • A ceremonial figure

Governor’s Executive Power • Supervise thousands of men and women who staff the executive branch. • Prepare the annual or biennial budget that goes to the legislature. • Commander and Chief of the State militia.

• The Message Power • Special Sessions • The Veto Power

The Lieutenant Governor • Lt. Gov. Maureen O’Connor • Duties are much like Vice President at national level. • http: //www. state. oh. us/Lt Gov/

The Secretary of State • Sec. of State J. Kenneth Blackwell • State’s chief clerk and record keeper • Administers the election laws • http: //www. state. oh. us/sos/

The Treasurer • • • Ohio Treasurer Joe Deters Custodian of State funds State’s chief tax collector State’s paymaster http: //www. treasurer. state. oh. us/

The Ohio Attorney General • Attorney General Betty D. Montgomery • State’s lawyer • Adviser to State officers and agencies • Represents State in court • Oversees local prosecutors • http: //www. ag. state. oh. us/

#1 Please define the terms completely: initiative , referendum item veto pardon commute , , reprieve and parole Please give an example as to , . when each of these was used in Ohio history. #2 You are responsible for the following information. Find for me the qualifications terms, , terms compensation and legislative sessions , for our current General Assembly. #3 Please describe for me in detail the types two of initiativesand the three types of referendums. Does our State constitution allow us to take part in the processes defined?

#4 Please define for me the Qualifications, selection process, term limits, and succession of the Governor of the State of Ohio. #5 Please come up with your own idea for a new law. I want you to write down for me the propose legislation and tell me how it traveled through o legislative process. Write down each step and allow for it to at least go through fifteen steps. #6 Please write out the Ohio Senate’s committees and give an example of what type of legislation would go in to each committee for review.

#7 Please define for me the Ohio House of Representative’s committees and give an example of what type of legislation would go into each for review. Have a Good Day