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Understanding State Legislatures: Makeup, Functions, and Challenges

Explore the composition, roles, and challenges of state legislatures, including the apportionment process, functions, and current issues faced by legislators.

keegan-mcdowell
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Understanding State Legislatures: Makeup, Functions, and Challenges

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  1. Chapter 12 Section 2 The State Legislative Branch

  2. Makeup of Legislatures • State lawmaking bodies vary in nature and size, but most states call them legislatures. • All state legislatures are bicameral except for Nebraska, which is unicameral, or 1 house • Senators usually serve four year terms; Representatives serve two year terms. The house usually has at least double the number of members as the senate • Members generally must be American citizens and live in the district they represent. Usually they must be at least 18 years old

  3. How State Legislatures Function • A speaker of the house directs the house of representatives. • A president or lieutenant governor directs the senate. • The majority party selects the speaker and the president, except for states that have a lieutenant governor • The state legislatures work the same as the national legislature. • Anyone can come up with an idea for a bill • Bills are sent to committees to be studied

  4. Legislative Apportionment • Every 10 years, after the national census, state legislature re-examine congressional districts • State legislatures divide the state into a set of districts for senators and a different set for representatives. • Senate districts were once based on land area. • House districts were apportioned, or divided among districts based on population. This resulted in unequal representation. • In Baker vs Carr, the Supreme Court ruled that federal courts can hear suits to force state authorities to redraw electoral districts. • In Reynolds vs. Sims, the Court held that both chambers of state legislatures must be apportioned by population

  5. Problems Facing States • Americans demand more and better service from their state governments every year • State governments are finding it difficult to pay for these services. • Many legislators refuse to vote to raise taxes because such a vote may hurt their chances of re-election • The federal government has also eliminated many grants-in-aid

  6. Discussion Question? • State legislators face a difficult task • Should they cut programs at a time when crime, homelessness, and pollution are on the rise? • Or, should they raise taxes and suffer the political consequences?

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