State and Local Government

Standard(s) of Learning

Content

Explain that the Constitution of Virginia provides for legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Describe how the three branches of Virginia government are organized and their essential duties:
•    The executive branch consists of three statewide elected officials.
–    The governor, who is the chief executive officer of the state, is responsible for preparing the biennial state budget, overseeing the execution of state laws and policies, and proposing legislation to the legislature. Governors serve for a four-year term and may not serve two consecutive terms.                                                                                                  
–    The lieutenant governor's main duty is to preside over the state Senate when it is in session. 
–    The attorney general is the state's highest legal officer, who oversees all law enforcement activity.

•    The legislative branch of Virginia is known as the General Assembly. It is the oldest continuous legislative body in the Americas. The General Assembly is a bicameral (two-house) law-making body. The Senate consists of 40 members, who serve single-member districts based upon population. Senators are elected to four-year terms.                                                        
–    The House of Delegates consists of 100 members representing single-member districts based upon population. Members serve two-year terms.                                                     

•    Virginia's judicial system consists of four levels of courts. Judges are elected by the state legislature for a specific term.
–    Supreme Court: Reviews decisions of lower courts                                                   
–    Court of Appeals: Provides a review of lower court decisions and state commissions  
–    Circuit Courts: Has original and appellate jurisdiction in civil and criminal cases          
–    General District Courts: Has original jurisdiction in misdemeanor and traffic cases      

Using the following information, describe how local governments in Virginia are organized and vary in type, form of organization, and responsibilities:
•    Counties, independent cities, and incorporated towns are the three types of local government in Virginia.                                                                                                                       
•    Cities are separate governmental entities independent of the authority and taxing power of adjoining counties.                                                                                                        
•    Incorporated towns are governmentally part of the county in which they are located.        
•    Counties and independent cities, as units of local government, adopt and enforce ordinances and provide services for their residents.                                                                                
•    An elected board of supervisors is generally responsible for the legislative and administrative affairs of the county.                                                                                                    
•    An elected council is the local legislative body in independent cities and incorporated towns.

Explain that regional authorities are created by the General Assembly to serve one or more special functions such as planning, land use, developing regional transportation facilities, and maintaining water and waste disposal systems.                                                                                                

Explain that regional authorities are political subdivisions of the state and address needs that cross local government boundaries.                                                                                                      

Describe how responsible citizens can exert influence on the policymaking process at the local level.

Explain that the authority of local governments in Virginia is derived from the state.                

Describe the relationship between the state and local government, using Dillon's Rule: All power of the local government is derived from the state.                                                                           

Explain that counties and cities, as administrative subdivisions of the state, assist in the local implementation of state laws and programs.                                                                         

Explain how local and state public policy is shaped by the interaction of the participants in the policy process with the policy agenda.                                                                                           

Explain how local and state public policy is the action the government takes to address an issue, solve a problem, or meet the needs and wishes of the citizens.

Describe how local and state participants in the policy process include political leaders, interest groups, the media, and individual citizens.                                                                                         

Describe how local and state participants shape the policy agenda and develop public policy by
•    Attending political and governmental meetings                                                                
•    Lobbying                                                                                                                      
•    Working in campaigns                                                                                                   
•    Contributing money to candidates and funding causes                                                     
•    Organizing public opinion                                                                                               
•    Filing a legal challenge                                                                                                  
•    Petitioning government                                                                                                  
•    Demonstrating                                                                                                              
•    Running for office                                                                                                        

Explain that public policy is primarily implemented by bureaucracies at the national, state, and local levels.                                                                                                                                

Using the following information, explain how at all levels of government, bureaucracies conduct the day-to-day operation of government and carry out public policy.
•    Bureaucracies shape the meaning of laws passed by legislatures through rule making and help to draft new bills for lawmakers.                                                                                       
•    Some bureaucrats shape policy by providing information and advice to the executive branches of government.                                                                                                                 
 
Sample Resources

Below is an annotated list of Internet resources for this organizing topic. Copyright restrictions may exist for the material on some Web sites. Please note and abide by any such restrictions.

“American National Government.” Social Studies Help Center. <http://www.socialstudieshelp.com/APGOV_The_Bureaucracy.htm>. This site provides information on the bureaucratic functions of the United States government. 

“Dillon’s Rule.” <http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/gov/omb/fcpos/dillon.pdf>. This site presents the background and scope of Dillon’s Rule, which affects the power of local governments as granted by the state.

“Local Empowerment Key in Fighting Federal and State Bureaucracy.  FreeRepublic.com. <http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/fr/904666/posts>. This site provides a report on a community’s encounter with government bureaucracy.

Official Site of the Governor of Virginia. <http://www.governor.virginia.gov/>. This site provides extensive information about the Governor’s issues and initiatives, resources, policies, and appointments.

“State and Local Governments in Virginia.” Virginia.gov. <http://www.vipnet.org/cmsportal/government_881/government_985/>. This link provides access to information on local governments in Virginia.

Virginia Association of Counties. <http://www.vaco.org/>. This site provides information on the ways VACo fulfills its mission to support county officials and to effectively represent, promote and protect the interests of counties to better serve the people of Virginia.

Virginia General Assembly. <http://legis.state.va.us/>. This site presents activities of the Virginia General Assembly and allows users to track legislation through the assembly. It identifies legislators and provides copies of the Code of Virginia, Virginia Constitution, and other documents.

Virginia.gov. <http://www.virginia.gov/cmsportal/>. This site provides links to a variety of sites that allow citizens to interact with departments and agencies of Virginia Government.

Virginia Institute of Government. <http://www.coopercenter.org/institute/>. This site provides access to information on local governments in Virginia. It was established to “help local governments meet today’s social and economic challenges.”

 “Virginia’s Judicial System”. <http://www.courts.state.va.us/>. This site identifies the structure, operation, and news regarding the courts in Virginia.