The StatesSection 1

Chapter 20

Focus QuestionsWhat was the basis of state governments’

authority? In What ways do state governments answer to

the people?How do state governments promote the public

good?

The fifty states are as diverse as any fifty individuals

All fifty states receive their authority to govern from the Constitution

The states are much more able to answer questions more directly affecting the people

State ConstitutionsEach state has its own Constitution but these

can not conflict with the U.S. ConstitutionState Constitutions reflect the places and times

in which they were writtenColonial state constitutions reflect John Locke’s

ideals on social contract

State Constitutions Many Southern states were

forced to rewrite their constitutions after the Civil War and are very long and frequently revised

Western states left more elements of citizen control and allowed citizens to directly vote on legislature and to end a representative’s term

These are called initiatives, referendums and recalls

State ConstitutionsConstitutional

Provisions Since 1775 the 50 states have

adopted more than 140 constitutions

1982– Georgia became the most recent state to rewrite its constitution

These Constitutions have been amended 5,900 times

State constitutions are four times longer then the U.S. Constitution with Alabama having the longest (687 pages)

State Constitutions are filled with much more detailed information

State Government and the People

Many states have to answer to their citizens more often the federal government

Citizens do this through initiatives, referendums, and recalls

State Government and the People

Initiatives Initiative a procedure for

proposing and enacting state or local laws

A minimum number of signatures is needed and then a proposed bill is placed on the ballot

There are direct and indirect initiatives

Direct initiatives go to the people and indirect initiatives go to the people if the legislature fails to pass the bill

All types of issues have been subjects of initiatives

State Government and the People

Referendum Referendum is a popular

vote on a proposal that has already been considered by the legislature

All states but Alabama require all amendments to the constitution to go to the voters

Sometimes politicians will use a referendum to address controversial issues and sometimes citizens want to overturn a law already passed

State Government and the People

Recall A recall is a special election

to remove an elected official from office before the end of their term

Before a recall is held, a certain number of citizens must sign a recall petition

Recalls are rare because many who commit unethical acts resign or are censured by their colleagues

State Governments and the Public Good

Some critics argue that state governments are large, unresponsive bureaucracies and they do not address citizens’ concerns

State governments have increased the quality and lowered the cost of some public services

Education is also very important and has been improved and expanded the services and opportunities

Many state governments have also developed tracking systems to assess how well they are fulfilling their responsibilities (standardized tests)

Focus QuestionsWhat was the basis of state governments’

authority? In What ways do state governments answer to

the people?How do state governments promote the public

good?