Understanding Ohio's Government: Structure, Powers, and Judicial System

1. Unit 5 State and Local Governments The State of Ohio acts within the framework of the U.S. Constitution and extends powers and functions to local governments.

2. Section 1 The Ohio Constitution

3. Content Statement The Ohio Constitution was drafted in 1851 to address difficulties in governing the state of Ohio.

4. State Constitutions--Each state has own Constitution • Types of Constitutions • Oklahoma: schools must “provide for the teaching of the elements of agriculture, horticulture, stock feeding, and domestic science” • Each state has laws that are important to that state • Some are long, some short • Many have been revised many times • They change with the times • A certain event forces the change • Ex: end of slavery

5. Ohio—2 Constitutions • I. Constitution #1: The original • A. Legislative Branch: General Assembly • Had all the power • Key judicial leaders chosen by GA • Most executive leaders chose by GA • B. Executive Branch: Governor • Had very little power • Was elected by people (most other executive officers were picked by the GA) • C. Judicial Branch: Supreme Court • Supreme Court required to meet in each county once/yr • Tough to fulfill its obligations • ***State had a lot of debt, so changes needed to be made.

6. Ohio—2 Constitutions • I. Constitution #2: 1851 • A. Legislative Branch: General Assembly • Had a lot of power • Key judicial leaders now chosen by the people • Executive leaders now chosen by the people • Had to make laws that would be the same for the entire state • B. Executive Branch: Governor • Still had very little power • Was elected by people (most other executive officers were picked by the GA) • C. Judicial Branch: Supreme Court AND DISTRICT COURTS • District courts were added • Reduced the burden of the Supreme Court • ***The new constitution instituted debt limitations, banned poll taxes and required that tax funds be used only for their stated purpose.

7. Link to Ohio’s Constitution Ohio State Constitution

8. Section 2 Structure of State and Local Government

9. Content Statement As a framework for the state, the Ohio Constitution complements the federal structure of government in the United States.

10. General Info • A. The government of the State of Ohio fits within the federal structure of government. • B. The Ohio Constitution must be consistent with the basic principles outlined in the U.S. Constitution (Article VI). • C. The Ohio Constitution outlines the powers and functions of state government and provides the context for local government in the state.

11. I. State Legislative Branch • Terms • Senators: most states—4 year terms • House: most states—2 year terms • Sessions • State legislator used to be part time—met every other year • Now, most full time and meet every year • Qualifications • Serve in the district they serve • Senators: most states—25 years old • House: most states—21 years old • Most are younger than federal Congressmen—it’s the beginning step of the political career ladder. Politicians get their start at the state level • Salaries • Varies state to state • Some $100,000 or more • Some only a few thousand/year • Leadership • All states (except Nebraska) have 2 houses • Each house has leaders who • Assign bills to committees • Make committee assignments • Control floor debates • Committees • Perform the main legislative work of the states (just like Congress) • How a Bill Becomes a Law???—same procedure as in Congress, only the Governor signs the bill instead of the President • Committee staffs have grown substantially over the years to help do the work of the legislators • ***OHIO GENERAL ASSEMBLY CAN OVERRIDE GOVERNOR VETO WITH 3/5 VOTE FROM EACH CHAMBER

12. II. State Executive Branch • *Governor—each state has one. He is the elected chief executive. ***All elections for the Ohio executive branch occur in even-numbered, non-presidential years. • Governors Qualifications and Terms • Be a U.S. citizen • Resided in the state for a certain amount of time • Usually must be 30 years old • Terms: most serve 4 year terms • Governors Salaries • Varies state to state • Most between $100,000 and 200,000 • Also get travel and business expenses • Governor’s Roles • Initiate bills • Prepare budgets • Setting an agenda for the state • Education and welfare reform • Chief ambassadors—try to lure business to the state • Governor’s Powers • Started off having little power (founding fathers did not want a powerful gov.) • Governors usually do not have power to appoint • Can line-item veto—only veto part of a bill he/she does not like, but keep the rest

13. III. State Judicial Branch • *Trial Courts • District attorney or public prosecutor is in charge of investigating and prosecuting • Usually need grand jury approval to take case to court • Next, a petit (trial) jury hears the case • This jury is selected from a jury pool—a group of people who might be chosen to serve in a trial • Appeals Courts • Decisions can be appealed to state appeals court • Highest court of appeals is the state Supreme Court • Only appeal to federal court if involves a possible violation of the U.S. Constitution or other federal law • Special Courts • Have limited jurisdiction, or handle only certain types of cases • Examples • Family courts (divorce, child custody) • Probate courts (estates of deceases people) • Juvenile courts (youth cases) • Traffic courts • The Judges • County trial court judges are usually elected • Most have limited terms—6 to 10 years. IN OHIO, TERMS ARE 6 YEARS!

14. Section 3 Responsibilities of the Citizens

15. Content Statement Individuals in Ohio have a responsibility to assist state and local governments as they address relevant and often controversial problems that directly affect their communities

16. How to get involved • A. Ohioans can assist government in addressing problems affecting the state and local communities. • 1. Involvement at the state level can range from • a. paying taxes • b. serving in the National Guard • c. running for state office • d. voting • e. signing petitions to place issues on the ballot. • 2. Involvement at the local level can range from • a. organizing civic activities • b. attending meetings of local boards and commissions • c. joining community watch groups • d. serving in a volunteer fire department.

17. State Governments and the People • Initiatives: a procedure for proposing and enacting state or local laws • Need a certain minimum # of voters to sign a petition backing the bill proposed by the initiative • Then, the bill is voted for by the people in the next election • Most states have initiative • *SEE EXAMPLES IN TEXTBOOK BOTTOM PAGE 463 • Referendum: a popular vote on a proposal that has already been considered by the legislature • A controversial bill can be given to the voters to vote on instead of the legislative branch OR • The voters can overturn a law that has already been passed • EX: Senate Bill 5 in Ohio in 2011 • Recall • A special election to remove an elected official from office before the end of his or her term • Need a certain minimum # of voters to sign a petition • Recalls are rare • People already voted that person into office • If official did something terrible, they usually resign

18. Constitutional convention • According to the Ohio Constitution, every 20 years, the General Assembly must ask voters if they want to hold a constitutional convention

19. Link to Ohio state government page http://ohio.gov/

20. Section 4 Local government

21. Links to Local government cantonohio.gov/ http://cantontwp-oh.gov/