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The States. Section 1 Chapter 20. Focus Questions. What was the basis of state governments’ authority? In What ways do state governments answer to the people? How do state governments promote the public good?. The fifty states are as diverse as any fifty individuals
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The States Section 1 Chapter 20
Focus Questions • What was the basis of state governments’ authority? • In What ways do state governments answer to the people? • How do state governments promote the public good?
The fifty states are as diverse as any fifty individuals • All fifty states receive their authority to govern from the Constitution • The states are much more able to answer questions more directly affecting the people
State Constitutions • Each state has its own Constitution but these can not conflict with the U.S. Constitution • State Constitutions reflect the places and times in which they were written • Colonial state constitutions reflect John Locke’s ideals on social contract
State Constitutions • Many Southern states were forced to rewrite their constitutions after the Civil War and are very long and frequently revised • Western states left more elements of citizen control and allowed citizens to directly vote on legislature and to end a representative’s term • These are called initiatives, referendums and recalls
State Constitutions Constitutional Provisions • Since 1775 the 50 states have adopted more than 140 constitutions • 1982– Georgia became the most recent state to rewrite its constitution • These Constitutions have been amended 5,900 times • State constitutions are four times longer then the U.S. Constitution with Alabama having the longest (687 pages) • State Constitutions are filled with much more detailed information
State Government and the People • Many states have to answer to their citizens more often the federal government • Citizens do this through initiatives, referendums, and recalls
State Government and the People Initiatives Initiativea procedure for proposing and enacting state or local laws A minimum number of signatures is needed and then a proposed bill is placed on the ballot There are direct and indirect initiatives Direct initiatives go to the people and indirect initiatives go to the people if the legislature fails to pass the bill All types of issues have been subjects of initiatives
State Government and the People Referendum • Referendum is a popular vote on a proposal that has already been considered by the legislature • All states but Alabama require all amendments to the constitution to go to the voters • Sometimes politicians will use a referendum to address controversial issues and sometimes citizens want to overturn a law already passed
State Government and the People Recall A recall is a special election to remove an elected official from office before the end of their term Before a recall is held, a certain number of citizens must sign a recall petition Recalls are rare because many who commit unethical acts resign or are censured by their colleagues
State Governments and the Public Good • Some critics argue that state governments are large, unresponsive bureaucracies and they do not address citizens’ concerns • State governments have increased the quality and lowered the cost of some public services • Education is also very important and has been improved and expanded the services and opportunities • Many state governments have also developed tracking systems to assess how well they are fulfilling their responsibilities (standardized tests)
Focus Questions • What was the basis of state governments’ authority? • In What ways do state governments answer to the people? • How do state governments promote the public good?
