GA Constitution & Principles
What are the 3 core principles found in Georgia's pledge of allegiance to the Georgia Flag?
Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation (Courage is acceptable)
What is a right?
A freedom protected by the Constitution (State & Federal)
Name each chamber of the General Assembly.
The House of Representatives & Senate
What is considered the "Heart of the Legislative Branch"?
The Committee System
What does SB and HB stand for?
Senate Bill & House Bill
What is the main responsibility of the Executive Branch, and how much of the state budget does it use?
to enforce and execute state law & 90% of the state budget.
What is the difference between state revenue and state expenditures?
Revenue is money coming into the state government, while Expenditures represent money going out / being spent.
What is the primary purpose of separation of power?
To designate specific powers to each branch and to keep any one branch from exercising another branch's power.
Name three basic civic duties/responsibilities required of Georgia citizens
Obeying Laws, Paying Taxes, Serving on juries, Volunteering, Voting
Presiding officers of the House of Representatives & Senate
The Speaker of the House & Lt. Governor/President of the Senate
What are permanent committees that meet throughout every legislative session called?
Standing Committees
First Step of the Bill making process?
What qualifications are necessary to run for Governor or Lieutenant Governor of Georgia?
1. at least 30 years old
2. U.S. Citizen for 15 years
3.Resident of Georgia for 6 years
Who creates the Budget and Who has the pass the balanced Budget?
The governor creates the budget and the House of Representatives passes the budget.
Name each branch's Checks and Balance
Executive: Veto
Legislative: Override a veto with 2/3 majority in each chamber
Judicial: Determine is laws are constitutional or unconstitutional
What civic action is unique because it serves as both a fundamental right and a responsibility?
Voting
Qualifications required for both House of Representatives & Senate
House: 21, U.S. Citizen, Resident of GA for 2 years, & Resident of district for 1 year.
Senate: 25, U.S. Citizen, Resident of GA for 2 years, & Resident of district for 1 year.
What happens if the House and Senate pass two different versions of the exact same bill?
The create a Conference Committee to make two different versions of the same bill into one bill.
What three actions or reports can a committee issue regarding a bill?
Report Favorable, Report Favorable with Amendments, & Report Unfavorable (Killed)
What key elected member of the Executive Branch is head of the Department of Education, Administers State & Federal Education Funds, & Certifies Teacher & other Educators
State School Superintendent
How is a Budget Crisis dealt with by the Governor & State Legislators?
The Governor and State Legislators decide which services or programs would have to be cut or reduced.
What part of the Georgia Constitution describes its fundamental purposes and principles?
The Preamble
What specific requirements must a person meet to be eligible to vote in Georgia elections?
Being a U.S. Citizen, At least 18 years old, Legal Resident of Georgia, registered voter, and have a picture ID
What is the legislatives Branches #1 priority at the start of the Legislative sessions?
Passing a Balanced Budget
Name three examples of permanent standing committees in the Georgia General Assembly.
Education, Ways and Means (Taxes), and Appropriations (Budget)
What is needed to override a veto from the governor?
What are the 3 roles of the Governor?
Chief Executive Officer, Commander & Chief, & Chief Law Enforcement Officer
What are Georgia's #1 & #2 largest sources of state revenue?
#1 State Income Tax & #2 Sales Tax.
What can state constitutions do and what can state constitutions not do?
State Constitutions can make their own laws
State Constitutions cannot violate the U.S. Constitution
What two types of corporal/criminal punishments are explicitly forbidden under Georgia's Bill of Rights?
Banishment & Whipping
What are the specific responsibilities of the House of Representatives & Senate?
House: Pass Appropriation Bill/Spending Bills
Senate: Approve Appointments made by the Governor to Executive Offices
Who holds the power to appoint committee members and assign submitted bills to specific standing committees in the House and Senate?
The Presiding Officers (Speaker of the House in the House and Lieutenant Governor in the Senate)
What are the governor's 3 options when receiving a bill?
1. Sign the bill and becomes law July 1st
2. Veto the Bill
3. Pocket Veto-does nothing (doesn't sign) and the bill becomes law at the end of session on July 1st
What are the Governors Legislative Powers and Judicial Powers? Name at least 1 for each
Legislative Powers: Signing Bills, Vetoing Bills, Calling a Special Session of the Legislature
Judicial Powers: Pardon persons convicted of crimes and Appoint state justices to fill unexpired terms
What are Georgia's 1st and 2nd Largest Expenditures
#1 Education & #2 Human Services