What is a state?
a sovereign entity with a defined territory and population, and a government that exercises authority over it
What can state governments not do?
form treaties or alliances with foreign powers, declare war, coin money, or tax imports and exports.
Who is the Chair of the Billerica Select Board?
Michael S. Rose
Who is the Chair of the Billerica School Committee?
Mr. John Kleschinsky
Who is Billerica’s superintendent?
Dr. Kerry Clery
What are delegated powers?
specific authorities granted by the U.S. Constitution to the federal government
Name one thing state governments can do.
regulate intrastate commerce, create local governments, oversee public education, protect public health and safety, and hold elections
Who is the Secretary of the Billerica Select Board?
Jillian Pavidis
Who is the Vice Chair of the Billerica School Committee?
Ms. Annette Famolare
What type of town meeting does Billerica have?
Billerica has an Open Town Meeting
Define reserved powers.
laws that are not specifically given to the national government and are reserved for the states
How can the federal government influence states on non-federal matters?
through financial incentives, regulatory frameworks, legal actions, and public advocacy, encouraging alignment with federal policies
Name one member of the Billerica Select Board and their term expiration.
Dina Favreau - Term expires: April 2027
Daniel Darris-O’Connor Term expires: April 2028
Who is the secretary of the Billerica School Committee?
Mr. Michael Domina
compare and contrast the Massachusetts Constitution and U.S. Constitution
The Massachusetts Constitution offers more expansive and specific protections for individual rights, including a longer Declaration of Rights with more detailed provisions.
What are concurrent powers?
those shared by both the federal government and state governments in a federal system like the United States
Why does local government have more impact on daily life?
it directly manages essential services like education, public safety, and local infrastructure that affect daily experiences and community well-being
How many members are on the Billerica Select Board?
5 in total
Name a member of the Billerica School Committee and their term expiration.
Mr. Mark Efstratiou and Ms. Marion Depierro
Using The Ladybug Story, be prepared to explain the lawmaking process in Massachusetts.
In Massachusetts, lawmaking begins with a member of the House or Senate introducing a bill. The bill is then referred to a committee for review and hearings. If the committee approves it, the bill is debated and voted on by both the House and Senate
What is a charter?
legal documents that establish a municipality
How do municipal governments fund their services?
mainly through local taxes, service fees, and state and federal grants
Who is the youngest member of the Billerica Select Board? hint: he goes to Billerica Memorial High School
Daniel Darris-O’Connor
How many members are on the Billerica School Committee?
5 in total
Using the Ladybug story, what happens after it is sent to the governor?
he/she can sign it into law, allow it to become law without a signature, veto it, or send it back to the legislature with amendments.