chapter 9 local government

HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON1

CIVICS IN PRACTICEHOLT

Chapter 9

Local GovernmentSection 1: Units of Local GovernmentSection 2:

Town, Township, and Village Governments

Section 3: City GovernmentSection 4: How Governments Work Together



The Main IdeaLocal governments have grown as the country has grown.

As Americans settled in rural communities, towns, cities, and suburbs, they set up local governments.

Reading Focus How are local governments established, and why are

they needed? How is county government organized, and what are the

main purposes of each level of county government? How do local and state governments work together?

Section 1: Units of Local Government



Local governments Are established by and given powers from the state

governments. Define their powers, responsibilities, and organization

by charter from the state. Provide services for citizens. Maintain roads, running water, sewage systems,

sidewalks, street cleaning, and trash collection. Supervise privately owned electric and transportation

systems.




The county system of government in the United States:

Borrowed from England, began in the southern agricultural states

Scattered population gathered at the county seat to discuss issues.




Organization and purpose of county government: County board is elected by voters and forms the

legislative body. The county board supervises elections; enforces state

laws; collects taxes; and provides health and welfare services, libraries, roads, and schools.

County officials include sheriff and deputies, county clerk, treasurer, auditor, and district attorney.

Some counties have elected a county manager and a county executive.




SECTION 1

How Local Governments Are

Established

Why Local Governments Are

Needed

State governments establish local governments and grant them powers.

They provide and manage services to the community.

Question: How are local governments established, and why are they needed?



The Main IdeaAlthough counties are the largest unit of local government, they share the job of governing with

other units of local government.

Reading Focus Where did town government begin, and what is the

purpose of the town meeting? Why did townships and special districts develop, and

how does each function? Why are villages and boroughs created, and how do

they operate?

Section 2: Town, Township, and Village Governments



Town Governments Town governments began in the New England colonies. Today, selectmen and selectwomen are elected to manage

the town’s affairs. Officials discuss the town business and a vote is taken on

each item. Population growth has inhibited direct democracy. Higher populations require more local services. Town managers and representative town meetings have

developed.




Townships

First type: developed in the Middle Atlantic states; maintained roads and schools and assisted the poor

Second type: divisions of land in the Midwestern states that were developed by Congress in 1785 as part of a surveying system




Special Districts

Developed to serve special needs of an area The most numerous form of local government Operated by a commission




Villages and Boroughs

Created when populations grow and need to organize

Self-governing municipalities Collect taxes and provide local services Governed by a council with an executive

(mayor)




SECTION 2

Where Town Government Began

How It Has Changed

New England colonies

Citizens used to be able to vote on issues directly, now representatives vote on issues.

Question: Where did town government begin, and how has it changed?



The Main IdeaA city is usually larger than a town or village. In many

cities a large population is crowded into a relatively small area, which creates many challenges for city

government.

Reading Focus How are city governments organized under the

home-rule system? What are the different forms of city government?

Section 3: City Government



Cities

Are larger than other local governments. Often have large populations crowded into a

small area. Must deal with education, health, safety,

transportation, sanitation, water supply, and fire and police protection.




City Governments Established by and receive charters from state

legislatures Some cities have been granted home rule and

can write their own charters. Home rule cities manage their own affairs. Some states limit the independence of their

cities’ governments.




Different types of city governments and their functions: Mayor-Council Government—Mayor

prepares the budget, proposes laws, and appoints officials; city council passes laws and approves the mayor’s appointments; cities have weak-mayor plans and strong-mayor plans.




Different types of city governments and their functions: (continued)

Commission Government—Board of commissioners passes laws and carries out the functions of government.

Council-Manager Government—City council passes laws and appoints the city manager, who proposes laws and appoints department heads.




Question: How are city governments established?

SECTION 3

How City Governments Are Established

charter granted by state

government

the state gives the city permission to write its

own charter under home rule



The Main IdeaYou live under three levels of government—local, state,

and federal. Without cooperation among these levels, everyday life would not run smoothly.

Reading Focus How do the different levels of government work

together? How do governments cooperate to meet people’s

needs? In what ways are different levels of government in

competition?

Section 4: How Governments Work Together



Division of powers among levels of government: Local, state, and federal governments have clearly

defined powers. Each level of government has the power needed to

do its job. All levels of government obey the U.S. Constitution. The federal system keeps the powers of each level

clearly defined.




The federal government is involved in building roads. Roads were originally local projects. As the country grew, Congress voted to federally fund

roads connecting the east to the west. Late 1800s—state funds first used to manage local roads Interstate highway system is a joint effort of state and

federal governments. Good roads contribute to the safety and well-being of all

citizens.




Government functions requiring the cooperation of different levels of government: Public education—funds and services from the state;

schools controlled by local boards; special funds from the federal government

Federal Bureau of Investigation and the local and state police—work together and share state crime laboratories

Stores and businesses—state licensing boards ensure quality local services; grants-in-aid and block grants given to state and local governments from federal government




SECTION 4

The United States expanded.

Highways were needed to connect the East and the West.

The automobile necessitated a complex system of national highways.

The federal government became

involved in the planning, building, and maintenance of the highway system

to facilitate the movement of people

and goods.

Question: Why did the federal government become involved in the building of roads?



Chapter 9 Wrap-Up1. How are local governments established?2. What are the origins of the county system of government

in the United States?3. Explain where town government began and how it has

changed over time.4. When are villages and boroughs created, and how do they

operate?5. Define the term city and explain the services city

governments provide for the residents.6. How do city governments get their power and structure?7. In which areas do the three levels of government—local,

state, and federal—cooperate?8. What difficulties could occur if different levels of

government did not cooperate?

chapter 9 local government

Documents

local services

local government chapter

purpose of county government

county system of government

level of county government

county board

county officials

county clerk