State Government Topic

State Government

Social Studies, Grade 4

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Study Guide State Government Social Studies, Grade 4

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STATE GOVERNMENT State government is much like the federal government. There are 3 branches: executive, legislative and judicial. This gives a system of checks and balances, to make sure that no one party gets too much power. Each state has its own Constitution. The executive branch is led by the Governor. He or she serves a 4 year term and has many jobs: • Give speeches, including the “State of the State” • Work with the lieutenant governor • Travel around the state • Have ideas and plans • Propose the state budget • Propose other laws and policies • Serve as leader of political party • Support other people in the party • Commander in chief of armed forces • Fill empty positions in the government • Sign, amend, veto, or send bills back to the legislature The legislative branch is made up of the legislature. There are two houses—the Senate and the House of Representatives (assembly). They are called legislators. The main job of this branch is to propose and make new laws for the state. The judicial branch has many different types of courts, including state Supreme Court, appellate courts, and circuit courts. This branch has to apply the laws to new cases. Here are some ways that citizens can be involved in state government: Contact state officials by web, mail, phone, Register to vote: must be18 years old, a U.S. citizen, and state resident Vote in primary and general elections Work in the Legislature as a Legislative page Work in one of the many departments (transportation, parks and recreation, etc.) Complete jury duty © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted for the purchaser to print copies for non-commercial educational purposes only. Visit us at www.NewPathLearning.com.

Try This! Circle the things that must be true about people who want to vote in the state of Vermont. U.S. citizen Democrat resident of Vermont Age 15 at least age 18 Republican Healthy eaters resident of Ohio Green Party Cross out jobs that are not done by the Governor. Propose the budget decide criminal cases make new laws Impeach the president Veto bills give speeches Draw lines to connect the branch of government with the people involved in that branch. Executive judges Governor Legislative senators legislators Judicial Supreme Court judges © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted for the purchaser to print copies for non-commercial educational purposes only. Visit us at www.NewPathLearning.com.