Whose got the power?
What are reserved powers? Give an example
Reserved are powers not given to the federal government that can be used by state or local governments
What are 4 similiarities between the United States and the Florida Constitution?
- Both have a Bill of Rights
- Separation of Powers into three branches of government
- Have checks and balances
- Establish Election Procedures
- Establish Voter Qualifications
- Establish Amendment Procedures
What is revenue?
Any money made or brought in through any method, including taxes
What are the three main sections of both the U.S. and the Florida Constitution?
The Preamble, The Articles, and the Amendments
DOUBLE JEOPARDY
Describe the bill process for the State level AND the Federal level
What are delegated powers? Give an example
Powers given specifically to the federal government by the Constitution
Describe a difference between the United States Constitution and Florida's Consitution
- The process of amending the constitution differs
- The head of the executive branch
- The way a bill becomes a law
What is the primary reason for paying taxes?
We contribute money (taxes) to keep the government running and to pay for government expenses. The idea comes from a Social Contract
What are amendments? How the U.S. and Florida Consitutions are different when it comes to Amendments?
Amendments are changes or additions to the Consitution after it is first written. The U.S. has 27 amendments. The Florida Consitution has over 100! There are more ways to propse an amendment to the Florida Consitution.
What are concurrent powers? Give an example
Authority shared by both the federal government and state governments
Describe how the states' consitution is amended (focus on how it is different than the U.S. Consitution)
A citizen can propose an amendment. This is called an initiative. Depending on the state, the citizen will need to collect so many signatures from other citizens on a petition. If enough signatures are received, the initiative becomes a referendum. Every citizen is then able to vote on the referenudum on the next state ballot. If enough votes are cast in favor, the referendum becomes an amendment to the state constitution.
Describe 2 of the 4 main forms of taxes the US Federal Government uses
- Individual Income Tax- Money paid by each person based on the amount they earned over the year. It is the largest source of federal revenue
- Payroll Tax- Money taken out of a paycheck and used to fund specific governemnt programs, ex. Social Security and Medicare
- Corporate Income Tac- Money paid by businesses based on the amount they earned over the year
Excise Tax- Money paid on the sale of certain items. ex. alcohol, tobacco, and gasoline. It is not considered a sales tax, even though it kind of is
Name 2 of the 5 (wow so many options!!) that the Florida Consitution can be amended?
Consitutional Convention- a set number of registered voters representing 15% of the votes cast in the most recent presidental election may call for a constitutional convention. Amendments may be proposed then.
Ballot Initiative PRocess- A set number of registered voters representing 8% of the votes cast in the most recent presidential election must sign a petition proposing that an amendment be placed on a future Election Day ballot
Consitutional Revision Commission- The 37 member committee meets every 20 years and proposed amendments to the constitution. The next one is 2037
Legislative Joint Resolution- 3/5th of each houes of the Florida Legislature can pass a joint resolution proposing that an amendment be placed on a future Election Day ballot
Taxation and Budget Reform Commission- 22 member commission proposed amendments to the state consitution. They meet every 20 years.
What is cooperative federalism?
A system of government in which both the federal government and state governments work together and share the responisbilitiy and costs of programs and policies
What is the supremacy clause? What does that mean for state laws?
Give me 4 examples of taxes a State or Local government can use
Sales Tax
Property Tax
Excise Tax
Individual Income Tax (maybe)
Corporate Income Tax (maybe)
What are the qualifications to run for state legisture?
1. be a citizen of the US and of the state
2. must live in the DISTRICT you want to represent
3. Representative may be 18 or at least 21 years old
4. Senators must be at lest 25 years old
What is dual federalism?
A system of government in which both the federal government and state governments are equal and sovereign ( in charge of themselves)
What is federalism?
A government when power is divided between national, state, and local governments rather than only held at the top.
Pick ONE of the following topics and give a pro and con in regards to STATE GOVERNMENT
- Increase Sales Tax
- Reduce Exemptions
- Increase Registration Fees and Traffic Fines
Sales Tax:
Pro- immediate increase in overall revenue
Con- People may opt to spend less
Exemptions:
Pro- more people have to pay more income tax, generate more money
Con- People would get upset, and might spend less
Registration and Traffic Fees:
Pro- More money from something that is often seen as mandatory so people will just pay it.
Con- People get angry and may break the law in order to avoid paying them
What are the 3 types of committees
Procedural- establish rules for the legislature (how they conduct business)
Joint Conference- membership from both chambers, work on mutual issues often including passage of bills
Standing- focused on specific singular topics like education, healthcare, or the police