Unit 4: Foundations of Government in Georgia

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Unit 4 Foundations of Government in Georgia

• SS8CG1 The student will describe the role of
  citizens under Georgias constitution.

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Georgias Constitution

• GA was one of the original 13 colonies and became
  a state after the American Revolution.
• Georgia adopted its first constitution in 1777.
• In 1983, Georgians approved the states tenth
  constitution.

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Georgias constitution states

• 1) Any power the government has is given to it by
  the citizens and is for the good of everyone.
• 2) Georgias govt is meant to serve people and
  the constitution allows the people to change the
  govt when it fails to serve their needs.

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GAs constitution continued

• There are 11 articles in the 1983 constitution.
  The first article consists of a bill of rights,
  twenty-eight paragraphs that set out the rights
  of Georgia citizens.

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Separation of Powers

• The Georgia constitution, like the U.S.
  constitution, divides the responsibilities of
  government among the three branches in what is
  known as a separation of powers.
• Separating government powers creates a limited
  government.

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3 Branches of Government
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3 branches of govt continued

• The executive branch can veto bills passed by the
  legislative branch and can call special sessions
  of the legislature.
• The legislative branch can impeach officials in
  the executive or judicial branches. It can
  override a governors veto of bills to make them
  into laws. It can propose a constitutional
  change.
• It must also confirm appointments made by the
  governor.

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3 branches continued

• The judicial branch determines whether or not
  laws are constitutional.
• Each branch of government is responsive to the
  citizens of Georgia because most officials in
  each branch are directly elected by the voters.

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Checks and Balances

• Each branch of government was given some power to
  control or prevent some actions of the other two
  branches. This process is known as a system of
  checks and balances.
• The checks and balances ensure that no one branch
  becomes too powerful.

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Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens

• -Sovereignty- the concept that power and
  authority rest with the citizens.
• -Federalism- a system where the national, state,
  and local governments share authority over the
  same land and the same people

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The status of citizenship

• If your parents are U.S. citizens or if you were
  born in the United States, then you are a U.S.
  citizen.
• You are entitled to all of the protections and
  rights afforded by the federal and state
  constitutions.
• These rights include free speech, the right to
  bear arms, freedom of religion, and the right to
  a speedy and fair trial.

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The status of citizenship continued

• Naturalized citizens are foreign nationals (those
  who were born in other countries) who chose to
  become American citizens and give up their
  citizenship in those other countries.

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The status of citizenship continued

• People who are 18 years of age
• who have lived in this country for at least five
  years,
• and who entered the country legally can apply
  for citizenship

• They must meet certain requirements- an ability
  to read and speak English a knowledge and
  understanding of U.S. history good moral
  character a belief of the principles of the
  U.S. Constitution

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Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens

• Voting, while a right, is also the most basic
  responsibility of citizens, enabling them to
  participate in government.
• Another responsibility of citizens is to pay
  federal, state, and local taxes to fund the
  services those governments provide.

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Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens continued

• Another responsibility is upholding the laws of
  the nation.
• Also, defending the nation against its enemies.
• (All young men are required to register with the
  Selective Service Board when they turn eighteen).

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Voting Qualifications

• To register to vote in Georgia, a person must be
  at least 18 years old and a citizen of the United
  States.
• An individual must also be a legal resident of
  Georgia and the county in which he or she
  registers.

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Elections

• A general election is held in November in at
  least every even-numbered year. This is when
  major federal and state officials are selected.
• Other elections are held as needed to select
  public officials.

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Elections continued

• Voters select the most important state officials.
  
• These officials, in turn, appoint others who work
  for and with them.

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Political Parties

• Political Parties are organized groups of people
  who share common ideals and who seek to influence
  government policies and decisions by electing
  members of their party to government offices.

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Political Parties continued..

• Today, America has two major political parties
• The Republican Party and the Democratic Party
• Members of these groups share common beliefs
  about governments role in American life

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Political Parties continued..

• People who are not members of these two major
  parties are usually referred to as independents.

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The General Assembly

• There are 180 members of the house of
  representatives and 56 members of the senate.
• Members of the legislature are elected by popular
  vote to two-year terms of office.
• There is no limit to the number of terms a
  representative or senator can serve.

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The General Assembly continued

• Members of the Senate must be
• 25 years of age
• Citizens of the U.S.
• Citizens of Georgia for at least two years
• They must have been legal residents of the
  district from which they were elected for at
  least one year

• Members of the House must be
• 21 years of age
• Citizens of the U.S.
• Citizens of Georgia for at least two years They
  must have been legal residents of the district
  from which they were elected for at least one
  year

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The General Assembly continued

• The General Assembly is bicameral (has two
  houses/chambers).
• One is the house of representatives and the
  second is the senate.
• The lieutenant governor presides over the senate.
  
• Members of the House elect a speaker.

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• Casey Cagle- GAs lieutenant governor

• The lieutenant governor does not have a vote in
  the senate, but the speaker of the house votes
  when it is necessary to break a tie.

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Committee System

• Members of the Georgia house and senate are
  organized into committees.
• All bills must be reviewed by a house or senate
  committee before they can be brought to either
  the whole house or sent for a vote.

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Committee System continued..

• Some committees are permanent, lasting from one
  session to the next. They are called standing
  committees.

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Some of the standing committees include

• The Ways and Means Committee which handles bills
  involving taxes
• The Appropriations Committee which works on the
  budget
• The Judiciary Committee which deals with bills
  concerning the states laws and court system.
• (Other committees are organized for a special
  task and last only until their work is complete).