Teach the Main Idea

  The States The Main Idea In the United States, all 50 independent states fit together to form one country. The federal system allows state governments to serve the needs of their citizens while cooperating as a united country.

TAKING NOTES

  Students’ answers might include differ- ences in education requirements or the legal age to marry or drive.

  202

  At Level

  4. Practice/Homework Instruct students to write an editorial explaining why it is important for states to have the power to tax.

  3. Review Have students create a poster with three columns: state powers, federal powers, and shared powers. Tell students to affi x the index cards to the poster in the appropriate column.

  2. Apply

Ask students to write each power

the state and federal governments have

individually and those they share on separate

index cards. Put the cards into a box. Call on

students to pull out a card and say whether the power belongs to the states, the federal government, or both.

  1. Teach

Ask students the Reading Focus

questions to teach this section.

  Teach the Main Idea The States

  Federal System

  States control the affairs of their states and citizens. They also share some powers, such as the power to tax, with the federal government. State governments cooperate with each other and the federal government.

  State Powers

  Powers include: establish rules concerning marriage, driving laws, and traffi c regulations; maintain education systems, conduct elections, control local governments

  Key Terms Preteach the following terms: delegated powers powers held by the federal government (p. 202) reserved powers powers held by the states (p. 202) concurrent powers powers held by both federal and state governments (p. 203) full faith and credit clause part of the Constitution that ensures each state will accept the decisions of civil courts in other states (p. 205) extradition method of returning fugitives to the state where they committed a crime (p. 205) Taking Notes

  State Powers Federal System Why It Matters Ask students to recall what they learned about federal and state powers in Chap- ter 3. What powers do the states alone have? What powers do states and the federal government share? Then lead a discussion about your state govern- ment. Ask students if they know of any laws that might be particular to their state and how these laws affect them.

  Reading Focus 1.

  Another reserved power of the state is to conduct all local, state, and nation- al elections. States decide most of the qualifi cations for voting not otherwise specifi ed in the U.S. Constitution. In addi- tion, state governments have control over all governments within their boundaries— districts, cities, towns, townships, and counties. Local governments receive their powers from the states.

  Reserved powers allow state governments to establish rules for the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of their states. For exam- ple, states are responsible for rules concerning marriage, driving laws, and traffi c regulations. States also maintain education systems. The Constitution, however, requires that state laws meet appropriate federal standards and adhere to Supreme Court rulings.

  the federal government belongs to the peo- ple and the states. These powers are known as reserved powers.

  202

  eral government. Those powers include conducting foreign policy, printing money, maintaining a post offi ce, and defending the country. Some powers were granted exclu- sively to the states, while other powers are shared by state and federal governments.

  delegated powers—were given to the fed-

  When the 13 states ratifi ed the Constitution and agreed to come together as one country, they did not want to hand too much power over to the federal government. Instead, they chose a federal system that divides government powers between the federal and state governments. Some powers—

  State Government Powers

  For a few years after they won their independence, the 13 states acted like small, separate coun- tries. Then they joined together under an agreement called the Constitution, which established the rules of the new country. Under the Constitution, the states set aside some of their own rights and powers for the good of the whole country. Those powers went to the new national government. The states, however, kept some of their powers.

  As you read, take notes on the powers of state govern- ments and how state govern- ments work in our federal system. Use a diagram like this one to record your notes.

  Key Terms delegated powers, p. 202 reserved powers, p. 202 concurrent powers, p. 203 full faith and credit clause, p. 205 extradition, p. 205

  with other states and with the national government in our federal system?

  2. How do states work together

  What powers do state governments have?

CHAPTER 8 BEFORE YOU READ Powers Reserved to the States The states kept control over more local con- cerns. The Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution says any power not delegated to

  Reading Focus What powers do state governments

  Schools and the Lottery have?

  Education is expensive. Every day in school, you use many resources: computers, science equipment, and State Government Powers sports gear. Your school also employs many people, such as teachers, a school nurse, and the maintenance

  Identify What six parts do most staff. Where does the money to pay for everything state constitutions have? preamble, come from? bill of rights, organization of govern-

  Education is funded at many ment, election provisions, state affairs levels: the local, state, and management provisions, amendment federal. Most of the money used for school fund- process ing comes from taxes. Some states, though, have looked for other ways to raise money. One way used

  Draw Conclusions Why do you by many states is a lottery. People buy lottery tickets think the power to print money was that give them a very small chance to win lots of left to the federal government rather money. People who support lottery funding say that everyone has to pay taxes, but playing the lottery than the states? Possible answer: is a choice. Other people think lotteries are not fair

  In some states, like California, lottery money People might have the inconvenience goes to help fund education. because people who earn less money are more of having to change their currency likely to play the lottery. In 2005, 37 states and _ANALYSIS go.hrw.com every time they visited another state.

KEYWORD: SZ7 CH8

  Washington, D.C., had lotteries, and 20 states used E

  

VALUATING T HE L AW

SKILL some of the money for schools. Some states also

  Predict What might happen if

  

1. Is it fair that everyone should pay taxes to

raise education money through slot machines. fund schools? Why or why not? state constitutions did not contain an

  

2. What is your opinion about using lotteries

amendment process? Constitutions

and slot machines to pay for education?

might have to be rewritten every time powers and duties of state government

  Another important concurrent, or change.

  Concurrent Powers

  shared, power is making and enforcing Some government powers are shared by

  U.S. Supreme Court Cases: Case 3:

  laws. Similar to the national government, both state and federal governments. These

  Gibbons v. Ogden

  state governments have legislatures that shared powers are called concurrent powers. propose and pass new laws. Most states For example, taxation is a concurrent power. also have a state police force that helps

  Both the federal government and the state to enforce those laws and to keep the governments can tax their citizens. The states safe. national government taxes U.S. citizens

  Other concurrent powers used by the through federal income taxes. State govern- states are the establishment of state and ments may raise money with sales taxes, local court systems and the power to bor- income taxes, and property taxes. The mon- row and spend money. Without these con- ey raised through state taxes pays for state current powers, states would be unable to services such as education, highways, and carry out their day-to-day business. health and safety programs.

  203

STATE GOVERNMENT

  Below Level

  Differentiating Instruction Answers Learners Having Diffi culty Evaluating the Law 1. Possible

  Create a Collage of State Powers

  3. Have students list the state powers underneath answers: It is fair because educating the collage.

  1. Tell students to review the powers that are children benefits everyone now and reserved for the states. Discuss the difference

  

4. Direct students to exchange collages and

when students enter the workforce later between delegated and reserved powers. compare what each of them has included. in life. It is not fair because those who

  Verbal/Linguistic, Visual/Spatial do not have children should not have to

2. Ask students to create a collage using pay to educate other people’s children.

  Alternative Assessment Handbook: Rubric 8: newspaper and magazine clippings

  2. Possible answers: They are a fair way Collages

  (especiallly headlines) and their own to pay for education because people pay drawings to illustrate state government into them voluntarily and may win money. powers.

  It is not good to use them because those with the least money are more likely to play them.

  203 of the Powers State

The U.S. Constitution established a federal system in

  Analyze Charts

which powers are divided between the national and

state governments. Some powers are granted exclu-

  This chart should help students differen- Federal Shared State sively to the states, while others are shared with the Powers Powers Powers tiate between powers given exclusively national government. to the states and those shared with the federal government.

• What powers are shared by the federal

  State Powers Shared Powers and state governments? Maintain law

   Establish and maintain schools Maintain law and order • • and order, levy taxes, borrow money,

• • Establish local governments Levy taxes •

  charter banks, establish courts, over-

• • see public health and safety, enforce Regulate business within the state Borrow money •

  the laws

• • • Make marriage laws Charter banks • • Provide for public safety Establish courts
• Why do you think it is necessary
• • Oversee elections Oversee public health and safety •

  both federal and state governments to Assume other powers not delegated • • Enforce laws be able to establish courts? Possible

to the national government nor

answers: to better handle the large prohibited to the states caseload of the court system; different

  Election Oversight Levy Taxes courts are needed to try federal cases and state cases

  Info to Know Silly State Laws Every now and then lawmakers review old case law and fi nd laws that today seem foolish, silly, or strange. The following are examples of such laws that were once—and in some cases still are—on the books in their respective states.

• Alabama: It is illegal to wear a fake

  Federal elections, States alone have The federal government State governments mustache that causes laughter in like the presidential the power to con- taxes individual incomes. can also levy taxes.

church. election, are orga- duct elections. State Most workers have fed- State taxes include

nized and monitored election boards are eral income and Social property taxes, sales

• Alaska: While it is legal to shoot by the states, not the responsible for orga- Security taxes deducted tax, and income

  federal government. nizing all federal and from their regular pay- taxes. Not all states, bears, waking a bear for the purpose of state elections. checks. however, have in- taking a photograph is illegal. come taxes.

• Indiana: In Gary it is illegal to attend
_ANALYSIS A NALYZING VISUALS SKILL the theater within four hours of eating garlic.

  Why do you think that some powers are granted exclusively to state governments?

• Texas: In Mesquite it is illegal for children to have unusual haircuts.

  204

CHAPTER 8 Above Level Differentiating Instruction Advanced Learners/GATE Debate the Power of State Governments 3. Then have the student groups debate the

  topic. Have groups choose a leader to debate 1. Ask students if they think state government or have students in each group take turns is too powerful or not powerful enough. contributing their thoughts to the debate. Organize students into two groups—too

  Verbal/Linguistic much power and not enough—based on their

  Alternative Assessment Handbook: Rubric 10: responses.

  Debates 2.

  Have students discuss with their groups the Answers reasons for their beliefs. Encourage them to

  Analyzing Visuals The needs of cite examples from their textbooks. citizens in different states vary, making it better for a state to set laws for the unique needs of its own citizens.

  204 204

• a preamble that states the basic principles on which the state government is founded;
• a bill of rights that lists the rights guaran- teed to all citizens of the state;
• an outline of the organization of the state’s government, with the duties of each of the branches carefully spelled out;
• provisions for elections, including qualifi - cations that citizens must meet for voting and rules for conducting elections;
• provisions for managing state affairs, such as education, law and order, transportation, and fi nance; and
• methods of amending the state constitu- tion, as well as a list of any amendments that have been passed.

  Verbal/Linguistic Alternative Assessment Handbook: Rubric 14: Group Activity

  Do you agree that both the states and the federal government should be responsible for building highways? Why or why not? Students’ answers will vary. Most will agree that both should be responsible because the highways connect the entire country.

  Answers Reading Check Powers include the following: set rules for health, safety, and welfare of citizens in the state; set rules concerning marriage, driving, and traffi c regulations; establish and maintain schools; set most voting qualifi cations; conduct elections.

  Analyze Your State’s Constitution

  1. Obtain a copy of your state’s constitution from the local library or the Internet.

  2. Organize students into pairs. Distribute copies of the constitution to each pair.

  3. Have pairs fi nd the components of most state constitutions discussed in the section and highlight them. Then ask them to summarize

these components in their own words.

  205

  Reading Focus How do states work together with other states and with the national government in our federal system?

  At Level

  Multiple Choice Select the answer that best completes the following: States work together with the fed- eral government to a. extradite criminals.

  b. provide aid for natural disaster victims.

  c. defend the country.

  d. print money.

  Answer: b Checking for Understanding

  Our Federal System Explain What are some ways that state governments cooperate with one another? by accepting the decisions of civil courts in other states, returning fugitives through extradition, working together to reduce air and water pollu- tion, and to build bridges that connect states Make Judgments

  State and national governments also cooperate in times of crisis. After severe nat- ural disasters, such as earthquakes, fl oods,

  Collaborative Learning

  As you have read, the U.S. Constitution establishes a federal system that divides power between the national government and the states. Some people see the federal system as two separate layers of government with different powers. In everyday practice, however, the separate layers of powers over- lap and often mix. For example, the nation- al, state, and even local governments make policies regarding education for the nation’s students. States must work together on many other issues, and they must work with the national government if the needs of all the people are to be met.

  State Constitutions Each of the 50 states has its own constitution.

  These constitutions are the rules that organize the state government. Many state constitu- tions contain the following elements:

  States have amended their constitutions as the powers and duties of state governments changed. Alabama, for example, has amend- ed its constitution some 650 times since it was ratifi ed in 1901.

  READING CHECK Finding Main Ideas What

  powers are granted to state governments?

  Our Federal System

  States Work Together

  The states also work together with the fed- eral government. Federal and state govern- ments often work together to share the costs of providing a wide range of social services to the American people. For exam- ple, state and national governments coop- erate to build highways, assist the unem- ployed, help people with low incomes, and conserve natural resources.

  By signing the U.S. Constitution, the states agreed to cooperate with each other. Article

  IV, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution states “Full faith and credit [acceptance] shall be given in each State to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other State.” This passage is known as the full faith and credit clause.

  The full faith and credit clause ensures that each state will accept the decisions of civil courts in other states. An example of full faith and credit is the acceptance of a state’s offi cial records by the other states. For example, marriage certifi cates, birth cer- tifi cates, wills, contracts, and property deeds issued by any one state are accepted by all other states.

  States work together in other ways as well. A person who commits a crime cannot escape justice by fl eeing to another state. For example, a person who steals a car in Utah and fl ees to Arizona can be returned to Utah for trial. This process of returning fugitives is called extradition.

  States also cooperate on many projects. For example, a bridge that crosses a river bordering two states is built and main- tained by the governments of both states. States may also join with other states in regional groups to work together to reduce water and air pollution.

  States Work with the Federal Government

STATE GOVERNMENT 205

• -BLF _.FBE
• BT 7FHBT

  Assess SE Section 1 Assessment

  4. Making Generalizations and Predictions

  Imagine that there is no full faith and credit clause and that your family intends to move to another state. In a short essay, explain how this might affect your family in your new residence. ^{KEYWORD: SZ7 HP8} go.hrw.com Online Quiz

  SECTION 1 ASSESSMENT Federal Powers

  State Powers Shared Powers

  Hoover Dam The Hoover Dam, which sits in Arizona and Nevada on the Colorado River, was built under the supervision of the federal government.

  How is the Hoover Dam an example of the federal government and state governments working together? Arizona Close

  Review the powers of the state and fed- eral governments with students and list the ways the two types of governments work together.

  Review Quiz Game

  Daily Quizzes: Section 1 Reteach

  #PVMEFS $JUZ

  Main Idea Activities for Differentiated Instruction: Section 1 Answers (photo) The federal government supervised the state’s construction of the dam.

  Reading Check Possible answer: Working together makes some projects that benefit people in many states more affordable.

  1. a. delegated powers, p. 202; reserved pow- ers, p. 202; concurrent powers, p. 203

  needs of their citizens c. Possible answer: Yes, the state can best address the needs of its citizens and keep order within its borders.

  2 . a. full faith and credit clause, p. 205; extradi- tion, p. 205 b. The Constitution says states must follow some federal rules to be part of the country. c. Possible answer: The federal government would have little power and the states would operate as separate countries.

  3. Possible answers: shared: tax, establish courts, borrow and spend money, make and enforce laws; federal: defend country, foreign policy, maintain post offices; state: health and safety laws, marriage and driving laws, schools

  4. Answers should include problems with getting a marriage license, driver’s license, and so on.

  206

  Focus on Writing

  and a graphic organizer like this one to identify fed- eral, state, and shared powers.

  3. Comparing and Contrasting Use your notes

  

ent if states did not work together with the national

government? Critical Thinking

  )PPWFS %BN

  206

  CHAPTER 8

  tornadoes, and hurricanes, federal and state governments often work together to provide aid to disaster victims. For example, after Hurricane Katrina devastated a large area of the U.S. Gulf Coast in 2005, President Bush announced that the federal government would work with state and local govern- ments to help provide housing, job training, and medical aid to the victims of the hur- ricane.

  The federal government also aids the states. For example, after the attacks of Sep- tember 11, 2001, increasing security became an important issue. Because the cost of increasing security at airports and other facil- itates was too expensive for individual states, the federal government took over the task.

  READING CHECK Drawing Inferences Why do

  states cooperate with each other and the federal government?

  Reviewing Ideas and Terms

  1. a. Defi ne Write a brief defi nition for the terms

  delegated powers, reserved powers, and concurrent powers.

  b. Analyze Why might states amend their

  constitutions?

  c. Evaluate Is it important for state governments

  to retain control of affairs within their borders? Explain your answer.

  2. a. Defi ne Write a brief defi nition for the terms full faith and credit clause and extradition.

  b. Draw Conclusions Why do states have to

  follow certain federal rules?

  c. Predict How might our federal system be differ-

Section 1 Assessment Answers

b. Possible answer: to meet the changing

  State Legislatures The Main Idea The process of passing state laws is similar to the process used in the U.S. Congress. In some states, citizens can take a direct role in making the state’s laws.

TAKING NOTES

BEFORE YOU READ

  Reading Focus 1.

  At Level

  State Legislatures Teach the Main Idea

  4. Practice/Homework Ask students to take the third section of their outline and turn it into a graphic organizer such as a concept web or a sequence map.

  3. Review Have students share their

outlines and make a master outline on the

chalkboard. Then discuss the main ideas and

details of each section of the outline.

  2. Apply Have students create an outline as they read the chapter. Tell them to save the outline to help them study for the chapter test.

  1. Teach Ask students the Reading Focus questions to teach this section.

  State Legislature Member introduces a bill; bill goes to committee and is debated on the fl oor. ^Citizens Introduce laws through initiatives.

  Passing State Laws Legislature and governor approve proposed bill; citizens vote on and pass an initiative; citizens pass bill through referendum.

  Academic Vocabulary Review with students the high-use academic term in this section. develop create (p. 211) Key Terms Preteach the following terms: bicameral legislature divided into two houses (p. 207) unicameral legislature with one house (p. 207) constituents citizens represented by legislators (p. 211) initiative process by which citizens can start new legislation (p. 211) referendum referring potential laws directly to the people for approval (p. 211) recall process used by citizens to remove elected offi cials from offi ce (p. 211) Taking Notes

  State Laws Why It Matters Obtain a photograph of your state house. Show the photograph to students and ask them if they can identify the photo. Then ask them what types of ac- tivities go on inside this building. (Pos- sible answers: legislature meets, laws are passed, budgets are created.) Ask students to explain how these activities affect their daily lives.

  Citizens

State

Legislature

Passing

  Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Tom Craddick (left) discusses legislative business with House Parliamentarian Denise Davis.

  Most state legislatures are modeled after the U.S. Congress.

  207

  As you read, take notes on state legislatures, passing laws, and how citizens can participate in state govern- ment. Use a diagram like this one to organize your notes.

  houses is usually called the House of Repre- sentatives. The smaller house is known as the Senate. Only Nebraska has a unicameral, or one-house, legislature, called the Senate.

  bicameral legislatures. The larger of the two

  All but one of the states have legislatures divided into two houses. These are known as

  Organization

  Although it may go by a different name in some states, every state has a state legislature, or lawmaking body. Citizens elect state lawmak- ers—called legislators—to pass laws on their behalf. Like members of Congress, legislators are representatives of the citizens in the states’ lawmaking bodies. These lawmaking bodies are organized to represent all citizens of the state equally.

  State Legislatures

  Your state legislature, or lawmak- ing body, is a smaller version of Congress. State representatives and senators introduce and pass bills in the same fashion as their national counterparts. Because you and your state legislators share many of the same concerns, you have a signifi cant infl uence on your state government.

  Key Terms bicameral, p. 207 unicameral, p. 207 constituents, p. 211 initiative, p. 211 referendum, p. 211 recall, p. 211

  How are state legislatures organized to equally represent the citizens of their state? 2. How are state laws passed? 3. How do citizens participate in making state laws?

STATE GOVERNMENT

STATE GOVERNMENT 207

POLITICAL CARTOON

  State Legislatures Explain How are election districts or- ganized today? Legislatures establish election districts that are almost equal in population size.

CHAPTER 8 State legislatures vary greatly in size. Alaska has the smallest legislature, with

  Research Required Above Level

  Alternative Assessment Handbook: Rubric 20: Map Creation 208

  3. Ask students to highlight their district and explain how it compares in size to the other districts in the state. Verbal/Linguistic, Visual/Spatial

  2. Then have each student create a map of his or her state that shows the congressional districts and their population sizes.

  1. Ask each student to research the population sizes of each state congressional district in his or her state.

  Draw a Congressional District Map

  Answers Analyzing Political Cartoons The public thinks legislative sessions are like a circus—chaotic and strange, but not productive.

  Info to Know Nebraska’s Legislature After 68 years of using a bicameral legislature, in 1934 Nebraska legislators voted to get rid of half of their state legislature and institute a unicameral legislature. Those who argued for a unicameral legislature said that one legislative house would be more effi cient and less costly, while those who argued against it said there would be a greater potential for abuse of power. Nebraska’s legislature meets for 60 days in even-numbered years and 90 days in odd-numbered years.

  Make Judgments What is your opinion about term limits? Some stu- dents might support them so that one legislator doesn’t hold offi ce for many years. Others might disagree with them because legislators should be able to run as often as they want and the people can vote for them or not.

  Critical Thinking: Interpreting Maps ^ANALYSIS SKILL

  208

  In this cartoon, a state legislature is represented by figures usually associ- ated with a circus. ^{S ar g e n t © 1 9 9 A 7 A u st in m e ri ca n - S ta te sm an . R e p ri n te d w it h p e rm is si o n o f U n iv e rs al P re ss S yn d ic at e. A ll ri g h ts r e se rv e d .}

  A NALYZING P OLITICAL C ARTOONS What point about the public’s opinion of state legislatures is this cartoon attempting to make?

  Public Opinion about State Legislatures Members of the public do not always agree with the actions of their state legislatures. Unpopular legislative action often prompts public criticism. This political cartoon shows one point of view regarding state legislatures.

  Fifteen states now limit the number of terms for state legislators. These laws limit the number of times a legislator may be

  In most states senators are elected for four years, and representatives for two years. However, in a few states both senators and representatives are elected for four-year terms. In other states senators and represen- tatives both serve two years. The senators who serve in Nebraska’s one-house legisla- ture are elected for four-year terms.

  Because state legislators have great respon- sibility, each state sets certain qualifi cations that candidates must meet. For example, most states require that members of the state legislature be U.S. citizens. In almost all states senators and representatives must live in the district that they represent. Generally, state senators must be at least 25 years of age to hold offi ce. Most states require state represen- tatives to be at least 21 years old. Some states, however, have lowered the age requirement to 18 for senators and representatives.

  Qualifications and Terms

  In the 1964 case of Reynolds v. Sims, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that state election districts must be equal in population—or as equal as possible. This ruling upheld the prin- ciple of “one person, one vote.” The ruling attempted to establish equal representation for all citizens. Legislatures are now required to establish election districts that are almost equal in population.

  These state legislatures are organized to represent all citizens of the state equally. To ensure balanced representation, the state leg- islature divides the state into different legisla- tive districts. Each member of the legislature represents the people who live in a particular district of that state. Citizens of those districts elect a representative and a senator to speak for that district in the state legislature.

  40 representatives and 20 senators. New Hampshire’s legislature is the largest in the United States. It has 400 representatives and 24 senators.

  Reading Focus How are state legislatures organized to equally represent the citizens of their state? elected to represent a district. For example,

  Passing State Laws

  representatives in Arkansas can only serve States pass laws governing all areas within three terms, for a total of six years in offi ce. their responsibilty. In recent years, states also

  Senators in Arkansas can serve only two terms, have become responsible for programs that or eight years. had been run by the national government. As

  Reading Focus Compensation

  a result, state legislatures have passed bills to The salaries and benefi ts received by state meet these responsibilities.

  How are state laws passed?

  legislators vary widely from state to state. In The lawmaking process in state legisla-

  Rhode Island, for example, state legislators tures is similar to the procedure followed in

  Passing State Laws

  each receive $10,000 a year. New York’s leg- Congress. As in Congress, the process starts islators are among the highest paid in the with a bill being introduced by a member of

  Recall Who has the power to use an

  country, each receiving an annual salary of the legislature.

  item veto? the governor $79,500, plus $138 a day for expenses.

  Sequence What are the six steps in A Bill Is Introduced A member of either

  Sessions and Leaders the lawmaking process in state legisla-

  house may introduce a bill. Once intro- Each state determines when its legislature duced, the bill is assigned a number and is tures? bill is introduced, sent to com- meets. Most state legislatures meet in regular sent to the appropriate committee.

  mittee, reaches the fl oor, sent to second

  sessions every year. Other state legislatures

  house, sent to joint conference commit-

  meet once every two years. The California legis-

  The Bill Is Sent to Committee In the next tee if necessary, sent to governor

  lature has a two-year session that meets for that phase, the legislative committee decides entire period. The North Carolina legislature whether or not to hold a hearing on the Evaluate Why do you think the joint holds a regular-length session in odd- bill. If there is a hearing, witnesses testify

  conference committee is important to

  numbered years and a shorter session in even-

  passing a bill? Each house might like

  numbered years. In other states a session can

  some parts of a bill and not others last from 30 days to more than six months.

  Traffic and want to pass it with revisions.

  At the beginning of each session, mem- Laws

  The joint conference committee gives

  bers of the legislature choose the presiding

  Laws regarding the houses a chance to get together to

  offi cer and other leaders. In most states the speed limits are

  passed by a state make a compromise that will allow the

  lieutenant governor presides over the state legislature. Senate. In other states the Senate chooses its bill to be passed. own presiding offi cer. Members of the lower house in all states choose their own presid- ing offi cer, usually called the speaker.

  The presiding offi cer in each house appoints members of committees. As in the U.S. Congress, most of the work of the state legislatures is done in committees

  A traffic ticket is not a

  that specialize in certain areas, such as agri-

  judgment of right or

  culture or education. The committees hold

  wrong. It is a summons to

  in-depth hearings on bills. These hearings

  appear before a court to resolve the charge made

  allow legislators to gather information and by the police officer. debate bills before the bills are considered by the whole legislature.

  READING CHECK Contrasting What are some

  of the different ways that state legislatures are organized?

  209

STATE GOVERNMENT

  At Level

  Collaborative Learning Propose a Law

  1. Organize students into small committees of

  

3. Each committee should write a brief

about fi ve people. informative proposal telling the “legislature”

(the class) about its proposed law. The

2. Tell each committee to create a new law that

  legislature should then vote on whether to it would like to initiate in school, such as an approve the law. Interpersonal, Verbal/ initiative for increased school safety.

  Linguistic Answers Reading Check Most legislatures are bicameral, but one is unicameral. They also vary in size.

  209 Differentiating Instruction 210

  CHAPTER 8

  about the bill. Amendments may be added to the bill. The committee may vote to pass the bill, change it, or reject it. If the com- mittee does not have a hearing on the bill, the bill is effectively killed.

  Standard English Mastery Above Level 210

  Reading Check in committee, on the floor, and in the second house

  (photo) Possible answer: Citizens believe that the governor’s actions are hurting the citizens and the state.

  210

  Research Required

  3. Have student pairs share their results or papers with the class. Verbal/Linguistic

  students fi nd one recent initiative and one recent referendum and summarize the results in their own words. If your state does not use these processes, have students write a short position paper explaining why they think these processes are important. Encourage them to use vocabulary from the section.

  Organize students into mixed level pairs. Ask students to do research to determine if their state allows initiatives and referendums.

  English-Language Learners Research Initiatives and Referendums 1.

  The recall process is used in some form in at least 36 states.

  Linking to Today Direct Democracy at Work During the late 1800s a group of reformers, known as the progressives, began working to improve American society. Concerned about political corruption, they worked to pass reform measures that gave voters a chance to participate directly in state and local governments. These reform measures became known as the recall, initiative, and referendum. They were fi rst practiced in Oregon during the early 1900s and are used today in many states. In the early 2000s, 24 states used initiatives and 24 used referendums. Some, such as California, used both, whereas others just used one method.

  Make Judgments What do you think is the most effective way for citizens to participate in lawmaking? Explain your answer. Students should choose from the following: sending letters or calling legislators, testifying at committee hearings, creating initia- tives, and voting in referendums.

  In what way are an initia- tive and a recall similar? Both must begin with a petition from citizens.

  What is a proposition? peti- tion describing a proposed law Compare

  How do citizens participate in making state laws? How Citizens Participate in Lawmaking Defi ne

  What might lead citizens to demand a recall of a state official? Reading Focus

  Citizen Participation Californians voice their opinions in the state’s 2003 special election. The election featured a vote to recall Governor Gray Davis as well as a proposition to limit racial classifications in state business.

  the legislative process can legislators amend bills?

  READING CHECK Analyzing Information When in

  The fi nal step in making a state law is to send the bill to the governor. If the governor signs the bill, it becomes a law. However, the governor may veto a bill he or she does not support. In most states the governor also has the power to veto only one part, or item, of an appropriation bill. This power is called an item veto. The leg- islature can pass a bill over the governor’s veto by a two-thirds vote in each house.

  The Bill Is Sent to the Governor

  Joint conference committees are made up of members from both houses. Committee members try to reach a compro- mise version of the bill that will be accepted by both houses. The two houses then vote on the compromise bill. Both houses usually accept this fi nal version of the bill.

  The Bill Is Sent to a Joint Conference Committee

  Bills that pass only one house will not become law. If both houses pass a bill in the same form, it is then sent to the governor to be signed. Frequently, however, both houses pass the bill, but in different forms. In this case, the bill is sent to a joint-conference committee to resolve the differences between the two bills.

  When the bill is introduced in the second house, it goes through the same steps as it did in the fi rst house. The bill is assigned to a commit- tee and the committee process is repeated. If the bill passes the committee, it is considered by the full house, as it was in the fi rst house.

  The Bill Is Sent to the Second House

  If the committee passes the bill, the full house then considers it. As the bill is debated on the fl oor, more amendments may be offered. If these amend- ments are passed, they become part of the bill. Members then vote on the fi nal version of the bill. Bills that pass are signed by the presiding offi cer and sent to the second house.

  The Bill Reaches the Floor