Lesson 1: The Federal System
Which three branches do all state constitutions divide their state government into?
Executive, legislative, and judicial branches
What is the main job of a state's legislative branch?
To make laws
Who is the head of the state executive branch?
The Governor
What is the relationship between a plaintiff and a defendant?
What does it mean for a state to be unicameral?
They have one a one house legislative body opposed to two.
What are powers given to both the state and federal governments called?
Concurrent Powers
How does a state address the problem of malapportionment?
By redistricting
What word refers to the group of executive officials who advice the governor?
The Cabinet
What types of court cases do trial courts hear?
Criminal and Civil cases
What does it mean for a state to have a balanced budget?
The state has not spent more than they have collected. The profits and expenses are equal
What is a federal system?
The sharing of power between a central (Federal) and state governments.
What is the length of a regular session of the legislature?
60 days
What veto powers does the governor have that the president does not?
The power to use a line-item veto.
Allows them to veto any specific part of a bill.
In the majority of states, how are judges on the supreme court approved for continued service after their term is up?
By popular vote
Which amendment limits States' ability to make laws that take away the rights of citizens?
The 14th Amendment
What clause establishes federal law as the highest law of the land?
The Supremacy Clause
When the governor is proposing a law they are fulfilling their role as a what?
Legislative leader
Explain the meaning of commute and parole when it comes to the governor's powers in the criminal justice system.
To commute a sentence means to reduce it.
To parole someone means to grant someone early release from prison.
Misdemeanor
What is a grant-in-aid?
Money given to the states from the federal government
What amendment reserves powers to the States?
The 10th Amendment.
What is the difference between a legislative referendum and a popular referendum?
Citizens vote to approve the law in a legislative referendum and vote to repeal a law in a popular referendum
What is one responsibility of the executive branch besides enforcing laws?
Preparing the budget, appointing officials, commanding the state National Guard, political party leader
What is the difference between trial courts and appellate courts?
Trial courts hear cases first, appellate courts review the decisions (appeal)
What is the difference between implied powers and inherent powers?
Implied powers are not listed in the constitution but is based on it. Inherent powers are given to government simply because they earned them by being government they "inherit" them.