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diff --git a/rich/35_georgia b/rich/35_georgia new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6693683 --- /dev/null +++ b/rich/35_georgia @@ -0,0 +1,132 @@ +The Importance of State and Local Governments +- Comparative perspective +- Local governments are "part of the whole" +- The US has more than 87K units of government +- Important to us as citizens +- 537 elected officials at nat. level and over 500K state and local + - Voters are usually only on senators, house, pres. ticket +- Federalism: state government services are much more impactful and + policy-relevant to voters. + +The present reflects the past. For Georgia, this means: +- Relationship between Rural-Urban and White-Black + - County Unit System, lumped together locales to overrepresent + small, rural locales. + - Intent is to "offset" growing urban centers. + - "Rule of the Rustics" + - V. O. Key + - By the 60s, governor elects were losing the popular vote + by taking rural counties + - Last state to rejoin the Union. Had difficulty ensuring the + political system would represent all citizens + - Political disenfranchisement of African Americans at polls + - 1964 "juncture for change" + - Civil Rights Act made penalties for states keeping black + people from the polls. + - Rise of moral/religious belief in democratic representation + - Supreme Court dismantled County Unit System in 1963 + - Urban voters are overwhelmingly Democrat and rural Republican. + - Also because black people are pushed to cities + - The divide is still reflected in state politics + +Georgia's Constitution +- Constitutionalism + - Assign the fundamental powers of gov't + - Institutions to exercise the powers + - Specifically excluded powers + - The "limited purposes" the gov't is meant for +- New constitution requires 2/3 vote of legislature and public approval + by referendum + - Since 1777, GA has had 10 constitutions + - Abnormally high (more than any other state than Louisiana) + - Because Louisiana is a code law state + - US: 2 constitutions +Length of GA Constitutions +- Previous prevailing doctrine: unless the state specifically allows it, + the gov't cannot do it. Leads to long constitutions. + - Over 1000 amendments just to get things done for individual + locales or limited purview. +- Most political scientists agree: + - Details should be left to ordinary laws, not constitutional + amendments + +- Current GA Constitution instated in Jul 1, 1983 + - Not as screwed up as previous constitutions +- Covers the fundamentals + - The constitution talks about education, taxation, the Branches + (including boards and commissions), and the amendment process. + - Special Amendments (local provisions) are prohibited. + - General Amendments must apply to the state as a whole. + - More within mainstream of other states, but ours mentions God and + Family + - Georgia is very traditionalist, moralistic + - The constitution reflects "the society that created it" + +The Office of Governor +- In theory and practice the most important state official +- Eligibility: + - 30yrs old + - Citizen of US for 15yrs + - GA resident for 6yrs +- Current Governor: Brian Kemp (R) +- Roles: + - Chief of State (more minor role than Pres) + - Meet foreign dignitary or the Pres + - Commander in Chief (also minor role) + - No standing army, but state police or national guard + - Chief Admin/Chief Executive + - Weaker than other governors around the country + - Weak appointment powers + - Dept Heads chosen by election, so may be less loyal to gub + - Can directly appoint directors of agencies and members of + commissions + - Power over fiscal affairs is way more important than appt's + - Complete supervision over Office of Planning & Budget + - OBP shapes the executive budget + - Begins 16 months prior to fiscal year + - Gets submitted to General Assembly for passage + - Although it needs approval, the General Assembly has + fewer resources to manipulate it. Members of General + Assembly are part-time and have limited staff. + - Chief Legislator + - Addresses legislature from time to time + - Veto Power (2/3 vote of both houses in General Assembly to + override) + - Governor must veto within 6 days if General Assembly is in + session and in 40 days if General Assembly isn't in + session + - If Governor takes no action in either case, the bill + becomes law (no Pocket Veto) + - Power of Line-Item Veto (part of bill), including over the + Budget + +Legislature: GA General Assembly + - US Congress goes full year, but the Assembly in session for small + amt of time + - Bicameral legislature + - Functions: (mostly similar to US) + - Statutory laws + - Avg. 2K introduced, 1K passed (Assembly is super busy) + - Legislative oversight + - Senate confirmation + - Authorization and Appropriations [of spending] + - (Minor) Appointment Powers + - Propose constitutional amendments + - Representation + - Constituent Services - taken very seriously by members + - Small-district representatives try to go around and knock + on as many doors as possible + - Unpaid, part-time, so anyone there is super committed + - The entire session: Jan--Mar or 40 days + - 56 Senate seats and a minimum of 180 House seats (can be adjusted + for population) + - Democrats controlled both chambers from Reconstruction to 2022 + (Although they were Southern Democrats for much of time) + - But from 2002 to present, the Republican Party controls both + chambers and the Governor + +Jurisdictions +- Insanely complicated court system +- Approximately 1K courts in GA in 7 classes + - Tasked with resolving conflicts by "interpreting and applying the + law" |