Civics & Economics
In this unit we will learn about America's constitutional government at the local level. You will learn about how local governments relate to the state government, the structure and powers of local governments in Virginia, and how laws are made at the local level.
Local government is the closest level of government to you and works to ensure that residents have services such as electricity, clean water, and maintained roads.
Local Level of Government
State and Local Governments
All powers of local government in Virginia are given to them by the Constitution of Virginia and laws of the General Assembly. Local governments in Virginia all have separate branches that exercise legislative, executive, and judicial powers.
Not every local government is equal in power. Local governments are established by charters that list their respective powers. This is different from the national and state governments that have their powers listed in constitutions. Again, charters are the documents that list a local government's powers as granted to them by the state of Virginia. Can you recall what other chater we have learned about this year?
County Board of Supervisors
County governments have a board of supervisors that make ordinances for the county. Ordinances are laws that only apply at the local level.
You can do a lot with leftovers.
Executive Branch: The Power to Carry Out the Laws
There are four units of local government in the state of Virginia, but you only need to remember three. The units of local government in Virginia are county, town, city, and regional governments. The three you need to remember are county, town, and city.
State powers are refered to in the United States Constitution as reserved powers. Although these powers are reserved, they still get a lot done. State powers are used to address problems and issues at the state level including education, the environment, public health, the state's budget, and the state's income (taxes).
Education
Where does the U.S. Constitution discuss education? Can't remember? That's because it doesn't, but it is in Virginia's Constitution:
"The General Assembly shall provide for a system of free public elementary and secondary schools for all children of school age throughout the Commonwealth, and shall seek to ensure, that an educational program of high quality is established and continually maintained."
Article VIII, Section I, Virginia Constitution
Environment
The environment in Virginia is protected by the Virginia Constitution as well. This is called conservation.
"To the end that people have clean air, pure water, and the use for enjoyment and recreation of adequate public lands, waters, and other natural resources, it shall be the policy of the Commonwealth to preserve, develop, and utilize its natural resources, its public lands, and its historical sites and buildings. Further, it shall be the Commonwealth's policy to protect its atmosphere, its lands, and waters from pollution, impairment, or destruction, for the benefit, enjoyment, and general welfare of the people of the Commonwealth."
Article XI, Section I, Virginia Constitution
The Constitution of Virginia also protects our natural oyster beds and your right to hunt, fish, and harvest game.
Public Health
Although it is not specifically listed in the Constitution of Virginia, the General Assembly passes laws related to the public health of Virginia's citizenry. For some, public health is implied in their understanding of "the common good." Others debate the governments role in public health, especially with the passing of federal laws such as President Obama's Affordable Healthcare Act.
Income and Budget
In order for the state government to provide services to its citizens it needs an income. The state government also needs an income to pay the representatives that work on our behalf.
The government's income comes from the money it receives from taxes. Therefore, the General Assembly has the power to raise existing taxes and levy new taxes. When the General Assembly levies a tax it just means that they are creating new taxes.
The governor proposes the states budget every two years. It is the General Assembly's job to approve the budget. This is an example of the principle of checks and balances at the state level of government.
The laws governing the budget and taxes are outlined in the Constitution of Virginia.
Other Problems and Issues
Interested in what other problems and issues the state of Virginia makes laws about? The best place to see what the General Assembly is working on is to visit www.virginiageneralassembly.gov.
The infographic below was retireved from the Virginia Public Access Progect. It shows the subject of bills being introduced to the General Assembly. The larger the font, the greater number of bills that have been introduced. What are the top three issues that the General Assembly is currently working on?
Source: www.vpap.org/issues
Once a law is passed by the General Assembly it is up to the governor and the exeuctive branch to make sure that the laws are carried out. The governor of Virginia leads a bureaucracy of Cabinet departments, regulatory groups, agencies, and commissions to see that the services ofgovernment are provided and laws are followed.
Governor
The governor of Virginia serves a term of four years. The governor oversees the executive branch of government including the Cabinet departments, regulatory groups, agencies, and commissions.
Click the governor's image to learn more about the roles of the governor.
Image Credits. Above: from PowerPoint "Governor Bob McDonnell, A Commonwealth of Opportunity," retrieved 12/2013. Right: Creative Commons from Wikipedia by Gage Skidmore, retrieved 12/2013. Far right, Creative Commons from Wikipedia by Leonard Woody, retrieved 12/2013.
71st Governor of Virginia The Executive Mansion
Governor Bob McDonnell
Lieutenant Governor
The lieutenant governor is elected at the same time as the governor. Lieutenant governor is the state level equivalent to the federal government's vice president.
The lieutenant governor serves a term of four years with no restriction on re-election.
Click the lieutenant governor's image to the right for more information on the office of lieutenant governor.
Attorney General
The attorney general is elected at the same time as the governor. The attorney general leads the Commonwealth's law firm.
The attorney general's law firm represents the Commonwealth in all legal matters.
Click the attorney general's image to the right for more information on the office of attorney general.
40th Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling
Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli
Judicial Branch: The Power to Interpret the Law
Image Credits. Governor visits Kellum Seafood, August 14, 2013. Governor's Office photo, retrieved 12/2013, photo by Michaele White
Image Credits. Governor hosts first annual Governor's Cyber Challenge at George Mason University. Governor's Office photo, retrieved 12/2013.
"The judicial power of the Commonwealth shall be vested in a Supreme Court and in such other courts of original or appellate jurisdiction subordinate to the Supreme Court as the General Assembly may from time to time establish. Trial courts of general jurisdiction, appellate courts, and such other courts as shall be so designated by the General Assembly shall be known as courts of record."
Article VI, Section 1
Units of Local Government
In 2008, Joe Sheffey retired after serving on the Pulaski County Board of Supervisors for 28 years. Click the picture of Mr. Sheffey to learn more about his work for Pulaski County.