SOL 8 The student will apply social science skills to understand the organization and powers of the state and local governments described in the Constitution of Virginia by
a) examining the legislative, executive, and judicial branches;
The Constitution of Virginia provides for legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
Actions taken by state and local governments have direct impact on the everyday lives of Virginians.
Branches of Virginia government
The executive branch consists of three statewide-elected officials:
The governor
The legislative branch of Virginia is known as the General Assembly.
The General Assembly
The Senate consists of 40 members who
serve single-member districts based upon population
The House of Delegates consists of 100 members who
represent single-member districts based upon population
The General Assembly also
The judicial branch consists of four levels of courts.
a) examining the legislative, executive, and judicial branches;
The Constitution of Virginia provides for legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
Actions taken by state and local governments have direct impact on the everyday lives of Virginians.
Branches of Virginia government
The executive branch consists of three statewide-elected officials:
The governor
- is the chief executive officer of the state
- is responsible for
- overseeing the state bureaucracy
- preparing the biennial state budget
- overseeing the execution of state laws and policies
- proposing legislation
- appointing cabinet secretaries, the heads of various state agencies, and the members of policy-setting boards and commissions
- exercises veto power
- serves a four-year term but may not serve two consecutive terms.
- presides over the Virginia Senate
- exercises the powers of the governor if the governor is incapacitated temporarily
- serves the governor's unexpired term if the governor dies or otherwise can no longer fulfill the duties of the office.
- serves the main function of being lawyer for the state
- issues nonbinding advisory opinions on legal issues
- defends the state in legal matters.
The legislative branch of Virginia is known as the General Assembly.
The General Assembly
- is the oldest continuous legislative body in the Americas
- is a bicameral (two-house) law-making body:
The Senate consists of 40 members who
serve single-member districts based upon population
- are elected to four-year terms.
The House of Delegates consists of 100 members who
represent single-member districts based upon population
- serve two-year terms
- confirm the governor’s appointments.
The General Assembly also
- enacts laws
- passes the budget
- levies taxes to fund the budget.
The judicial branch consists of four levels of courts.
- Judges are elected by the state legislature for a specific term.
- The Supreme Court reviews decisions of lower state courts.
- The court of appeals reviews lower court decisions and state commissions.
- Circuit courts have original and appellate jurisdiction in civil and criminal cases.
- General district courts have original jurisdiction in misdemeanor traffic cases and lesser civil cases.
b) examining the structure and powers of local governments (county, city, and town);
Virginia local governments vary in type, form of organization, and responsibilities.
Counties, independent cities, and incorporated towns are the three types of local governments in Virginia.
Cities
Counties
Towns
An elected or appointed school board oversees the operation of the public schools in cities and counties.
Virginia local governments vary in type, form of organization, and responsibilities.
Counties, independent cities, and incorporated towns are the three types of local governments in Virginia.
Cities
- Are separate government entities, independent of authority and taxing power of adjoining counties
- Adopt and enforce ordinances
- Set their own budget and tax rate
- Provide services for their residents
- An elected council is the local legislative body
- A city manager can be appointed by the council to oversee daily operations
Counties
- Adopt and enforce ordinances
- An elected board of supervisors is generally responsible for the legislative and administrative affairs
Towns
- Part of the county in which they are located
- An elected council is the local legislative body
- A town manager can be appointed by the council to oversee daily operations
An elected or appointed school board oversees the operation of the public schools in cities and counties.
c) analyzing the relationship between state and local governments and the roles of regional authorities, governing boards, and commissions;
The authority of local governments in Virginia is derived from the Constitution of VA and the state government.
Regional authorities are political subdivisions of the state & address needs that cross local government boundaries.
Dillon’s Rule: All power of the local government is derived from the state.
Counties & cities, as administrative subdivisions of the state, assist in the local implementation of state laws and programs.
Regional authorities
The authority of local governments in Virginia is derived from the Constitution of VA and the state government.
Regional authorities are political subdivisions of the state & address needs that cross local government boundaries.
Dillon’s Rule: All power of the local government is derived from the state.
Counties & cities, as administrative subdivisions of the state, assist in the local implementation of state laws and programs.
Regional authorities
- Created by the General Assembly
- Serve one or more special functions
- Transportation
- Water and waste disposal
- Jails
- Boards and commissions
- Establish policy
- Work collaboratively with government officials
- Oversee public institutions (e.g., Virginia’s public universities)
d) investigating and explaining the ways individuals and groups exert influence on state and local governments;
Individuals and groups influence public policy at the state and local levels.
Ways individuals influence public policy
Ways groups influence public policy
Individuals and groups influence public policy at the state and local levels.
Ways individuals influence public policy
- Participating in politics (e.g., voting, campaigning, seeking office)
- Expressing opinions (e.g., lobbying, demonstrating, writing letters, blogging, speaking at public hearings, petitioning, meeting with state and local officials)
- Joining interest groups or political parties
- Providing officials with accurate and detailed information
Ways groups influence public policy
- Identifying issues
- Stimulating interest in public affairs, including through the use of media
- Working to build a positive image for the group
- Organizing individuals of like-minded interests
- Providing useful information to government officials
- Lobbying to persuade policymakers to share the group’s point of view
e) evaluating the effectiveness of citizen efforts to influence decisions of state and local governments by examining historical or contemporary events.
Citizens can exert a powerful influence on the policymaking process at the state and local levels.
Engaged individuals can have a great impact on policymakers.
At the state and local levels, individuals can influence public policy through
Citizens can exert a powerful influence on the policymaking process at the state and local levels.
Engaged individuals can have a great impact on policymakers.
At the state and local levels, individuals can influence public policy through
- direct participation in public meetings
- personal contact with elected officials
- service on commissions and boards
- membership in interest groups
- advocacy within the community and across Virginia.