American Civics and Government: UNIT 3

COUNTY GOVERNMENT

-Chief Executive: County commissioner (in some counties, "mayor") -Legislative Body: Commissioner's Counsil or Board of Commissioners -Court System: County Courts -Law Enforcement: Sheriff's Department -Taxes: Assesses and collects taxes on real estate and property -Maintenance: Roads and bridges within their jurisdiction

CITY GOVERNMENT

-Chief Executive: Mayor -Legislative Body: City Counsel -Court System: Municipal Courts -Law Enforcement: Police Department -Taxes: Assesses and Collects property and business taxes -Maintenance: Streets and Parks within their boundaries.

Helping the Community There are various methods for improving the community. They can be pursued on the national, state, and local levels. Here are just a few possible volunteer opportunities.

-Education - Schools are often in need of people to help with funding drives and special events. Older students often can provide tutoring for younger students or helping those with special needs. -Participation in the political process - Citizens can volunteer locally with voter registration and helping people travel to polling places. Many political candidates also need citizens to volunteer to get their messages out. Tasks include everything from managing a campaign office to distributing campaign signs or buttons. -Senior citizens centers - Seniors are often alone and can use some time from others. Volunteers can help with simple chores, transportation, or even conversation. -Troop support - American soldiers in the field have their spirits and morale boosted when they know people are thinking about them. Volunteers can send encouraging letters, snack and entertainment items, and snapshots from back home. -Animal shelters - These may need something as simple as cleaning cages or taking pictures of animals to be rescued. -Going green - Students can do many things to improve the environment, like plant a tree or help clean coastlines after major storms.

State Courts

-The state Supreme Court is typically the court of last resort; it is an appeals court where a case may be tried for the last time. -Lower appelate courts are intermediate appellate courts and the first courts in which a case can be retried. -Trial courts, or court of first instance, are local courts that try most civil and criminal cases.

Which states do not elect a lieutenant governor?

-Wyoming -Oregon -Arizona

Which of the following bodies are included in local government?

-chamber of commerce -school board -arts council

Match the term to the definition. -county commissioner -medical examiner -county prosecuting attorney

-county commissioner:a chief executive of the county government who oversees its daily operations -medical examiner: a government official who is responsible for investigating suspicious, violent, or sudden deaths -county prosecuting attorney: an appointed official who is responsible for prosecuting crimes and civil cases within the county's jurisdiction

The duties of a justice of the peace include __________?

-officiating in many states over courts with limited jurisdiction -performing civil marriages, issuing warrants, examining routine traffic violations, and carrying out other state duties assigned by state law -serving as officer of lower states

Other than tax collection, what are forms of state revenue?

-state college tuition -highway tolls -state bonds

Board of Commissioners

A board of commissioners for many US states is comprised of five to seven members. These members may be appointed by the governor or elected by popular vote. The following are examples of those that may serve on a state's board of commissioners. Commissioners also may represent a district within the state. -Commissioner of Insurance - regulates the state's insurance industry -Commissioner of Labor - ensures labor laws are followed -Agriculture Commissioner - enforces regulations that safeguard health and safety of state food supply -Superintendent of Education - supervises the state's public school system -Land Commissioner - oversees state land and natural resources

Horace Mann American Educator November 4, 1796 - August 2, 1859

Biography: Horace Mann educated himself. At 20, he was admitted to Brown University, where he became interested in politics and education. In 1827, he was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives. He proceeded to the state Senate in 1833. In 1837, he was appointed Secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Education, the first state board in the country. With limited funding, he provided the structure for revamping the Massachusetts education system. His goal was a state-funded education by professional teachers for all members of society. Mann believed that through education, citizens could fully put into practice the freedoms provided by the Constitution. Anecdote: In 1848, Mann served in the US House of Representatives. Despising his time in Congress, he resigned to become president of the newly established Antioch College in Ohio, continuing his mission to educate others.

Jane Addams Humanitarian September 6, 1860 - May 21, 1935

Biography: Jane Addams was born into an affluent Illinois family. Abraham Lincoln and her father were good friends. After finishing Rockford Female Seminary and briefly attending medical school, she visited Tonybee Hall in London in 1888. This settlement house was designed to help the poor help themselves. Inspired, she returned to Chicago and, with her friend Ellen Gates Starr, founded Hull House in 1889. Over the years, Addams also worked to develop education, reform labor laws for children and adults, improve sanitation, and advocate for minority rights. In 1931, Addams was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Anecdote: An urban legend emerged in the early 1900s that a devil baby lived in Hull House. The story involved abused women and abandoned children, issues many residents faced. Addams used the story to help residents discuss their problems.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT: City Government and Local Business (presentation)

Cities can provide support for local businesses in a variety of ways. Local regulation and assistance - By providing an easier path to obtain business licenses and meet zoning laws, cities can enable businesses to begin quickly with few hurdles. Cities can also provide incentives, like tax breaks, to entice new businesses. Government contracts - Sometimes cities offer contract work to private business to fulfill the basic needs of citizens. Local monopolies - Cities often allow companies to establish monopolies for essential services, like providing electricity and water or sewage and garbage collection. In many instances, the requirements of providing these services are most easily met by selecting a single supplier. Installing multiple water or electricity lines in particular is highly problematic. Electricity is also often provided by a business operating at the state or regional level.

The __________ Doctrine holds a "first come, first served" approach to water use for agriculture, industry, and households.

Colorado

LOCAL GOVERNMENT: The Council and City Manager (presentation)

Council The council is the legislative body of the city. It establishes the policies to guide the city in providing essential services. The duties of the council include the following: -approving budgets -establishing tax rates -providing policies for community growth -determining land development -creating plans for economic development City Manager The manager is hired to carry out the policies of the council. The manager is typically hired based on training and experience in administrative duties of managing large projects. The duties of the city manager include the following: -preparing a budget -carrying out the council's policies -administering government staff -serving as an advisor to the council -overseeing government projects

Which of the following forms of government consists primarily of an elected council that serves as a legislative body for the city?

Council-Manager

LOCAL GOVERNMENT: Forms of Local Government (presentation)

Council-Manager This form of government is an elected council that serves as a legislative body for the city. The council creates the laws that will be carried out by the city manager. The city manager is a member of the council and may be elected by voters or by the council. This form of government is often used in newer cities with a population of more than 10,000. Mayor-Council This form of government is very similar to the national government. The mayor acts as the executive branch of the city, and the council acts as the legislative branch. The mayor prepares the city's budget, appoints department heads, and holds veto power over the council's legislation. The council approves the budget, creates city policies and laws, and reviews the city's performance. This form of government is typically used in older large cities or small towns. Commission This oldest form of city government in the United States is based on the Old English method of government. A board of commissioners, typically with three to five members, serves as both executive and legislative branches of the city government. The public elects the commission members and other city officials, like sheriff and treasurer. The commission is responsible for adopting a budget and passing and implementing city regulations.

In some counties the chief executive is the __________.

County commissioner

The _____ Amendment outlaws excessive bail and torture.

Eighth

State Auditor

Every state has a state auditor. The role of the state auditor is to serve the state by performing audits of the money spent by the state government.

Attorney General

Every state has an attorney general. The attorney general serves as the state's chief legal officer. DUTIES -Serves as legal counselor for the state and acts as chief prosecutor or defender on state's behalf -Deals with legislation involving business -Handles criminal prosecutions and appeals

Loss of connection with nature is an advantage of being incorporated into a city (true or false)

False

Who promoted civic responsibility by cataloging natural processes to reshape the parks service?

George Wright

The Governor

Governors are the popularly elected heads of the states they serve. They carry out their duties with the aid of supporting staff members of the executive branch. The specific powers and duties of governors may be different in each state, but these are some significant similarities. QUALIFICATIONS -Be at least 30 years old in many US states, though most others specify 25 -Reside in state (some states specify minimum residency time, others do not) TENURE -Serve four-year terms, except in New Hampshire and Vermont (each two years) -Serve only one term in Virginia; governors can be re-elected in all other states DUTIES -Enact or veto legislation -Approve state budgets -Make appointments -Extend executive clemency (pardons) SPECIFIC ROLES IN EMERGENCIES -Prepare for disasters -Prevent disasters, whenever possible -Respond to disasters -Recover from disaster

__________ believed that through education, citizens could fully put into practice the freedoms provided through the Constitution.

Horace Mann

Freegans

In order to minimize the harm to our world and society, freegans reclaim discarded items in an attempt to improve their communities. Freegans achieve their goals through some of the following strategies: -Reclaiming products - foraging for usable consumables from dumpsters to minimize waste -Using green transportation - driving automobiles minimally to limit pollution -Renovating abandoned buildings - adapting deserted facilities for public use -Planting community gardens - reducing dependence on processed foods and fossil fuels used to transport them -Reducing work hours - limiting their role in capitalism in attempt to reduce or eliminate animal cruelty, environmental damage, and other economic consequences

Which manual is used by most state legislatures for legislative proceedings?

Mason's Manual

With limited funding, which education system did Horace Mann revamp?

Massachusetts

LOCAL GOVERNMENT: The Mayor and City Council (presentation)

Mayor A mayor is the top official of the city and speaks for the city and its government. The mayor also serves as the city council's presiding officer. The duties of the mayor include the following: -acting as head of the city -enforcing official documents -making appointments -declaring local emergencies -presiding over council meetings -carrying out other duties as assigned by state law (for instance, mayors in Minnesota supervise elections and fire investigations) City Council The city council acts as the legislative body of the city. The council also acts as the administrative arm of the city's government by establishing polices and investigating matters to help improve the community. Typical duties include the following: -establishing procedural rules -directing city ordinances -appointing administrative personnel -transacting city business -managing financial operations -protecting citizens' welfare

_____ rights are by default conferred to the first individual(s) who own the real property on the surface.

Mineral

__________ rights are by default conferred to the first individual(s) who own the real property on the surface, above the minerals.

Mineral

MINERAL RIGHTS Mineral Rights are by default conferred to the first individual(s) who own the real property on the surface, above the minerals. In some areas, mineral rights can be sold separately.

Mineral Rights include all inorganic and organic substance that compose the soil. ((Mineral rights may be conveyed or leased to other individuals. Rights also include the ability to receive royalties from sale of extracted minerals)) Exceptions: -Gravel -Limestone -Sand -Subsurface water

_____ are legally organized areas where people live, typically cities or towns that have the power of self-government.

Municipalities

LOCAL GOVERNMENT: Types of Local Government (presentation)

Municipality Municipalities are legally organized areas where people live, typically cities or towns that have the power of self-government. Villages Villages are usually areas with a small cluster of homes that may or may not have been formed through a legal process. Historically, New England featured many villages. Townships In the United States, townships are broken into small areas of 6 to 54 square miles. There are three types of townships: Survey township - This township is a 6-square-mile area that has been plotted into sections by the United States Public Land Survey System. Civil township - This is the most common municipality in the United States; the term "town" is often used to reference a civil township. Charter township - A township found in Michigan to allow the local government more flexibility in serving the public. City Continuing the pattern, this municipality is somewhat like a town, though much larger. Cities focus on creating systems for dealing with urban growth. Boroughs Boroughs are municipalities found within larger cities, such as New York City. However, in Alaska, a borough is the local government of a county. Megalopolis While not a formal municipality, a megalopolis is a large city that has grown to the point that it engulfs neighboring municipalities. It becomes difficult to discern where the boundaries of one city end and another begin.

Jane Addams won the __________ for helping the community of Chicago by improving education, reforming labor laws, and fighting for minority rights.

Nobel Peace Prize

AMENDMENT VIII

PASSED BY CONGRESS September 25, 1789 RATIFIED December 15, 1791 Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. SIGNIFICANCE The Eighth Amendment originates with the English Bill of Rights. It is often referred to as the "cruel and unusual punishment" amendment. The need for reasonable bail in England often arose from the corruption of local sheriffs attempting to take advantage of wealthy crime suspects. Some judges also attempted to impose excessive bail to raise funds for the English Crown. This became so common during the reign of King James II that the English Bill of Rights called for restricting excessive fines. Cruel and unusual punishment also stems from early English law. The English were known for the following methods of torture: -drawing and quartering -disemboweling -burning -drowning -limb removal -branding Like the other amendments in the US Bill of Rights, the Eighth Amendment grew out of the colonial experience under English rule. Colonists, especially those without political connections, were many times subject to excessive fines or bail. Also, magistrates would inflict what were seen as cruel and unusual punishments. For example, individuals caught stealing were placed in stocks in a public square for days. They were not only exposed to the weather, but also to ridicule. More recently, the Eighth Amendment has been utilized in some states to abolish, or suspend, the death penalty. Basically, this amendment limits the punishments that courts at any level can levy against someone convicted of a criminal or civil infraction. Today, officers of the court must follow specific procedures. These involve treating prisoners humanely and ensuring that accused individuals can reasonably pay bail. This is in part due to the historical background of the amendment and also relates to equality under the law.

AMENDMENT IV

PASSED BY CONGRESS September 25, 1789 RATIFIED December 15, 1791 The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. SIGNIFICANCE The Fourth Amendment was derived from English law. It began with a case tried by Sir Edward Coke in 1604 that stated certain conditions should apply when searching a person's home and seizing property. This right had not been extended to the citizens of the British colonies. It was important to the founders of the newly formed United States that certain procedures be taken when a person's property is searched. Today the police cannot search a person's body, car, or home without probable cause, like the possibility a person has broken the law.

__________ is the act of gathering signatures to show support for changing an existing law or creating a new law.

Petitioning

WATER RIGHTS

Riparian Water Rights: (originated with English Common Law; used mainly in the eastern united states) Individuals who own land bordering a body of water have lawful access to and use of the water. Prior Appropriation Water Rights: (also known as the "Colorado Doctrine", primarily used in the western united states) Based on water scarcity in the ares, this refers to a "first come, first served" approach to water use for agricultural, industry, and households.

Settlement Houses (Presentation)

SETTLEMENT HOUSES Settlement houses started as a social movement by the wealthy and middle classes to assist the poor. The goal was to improve the lives of those who were disadvantaged through schooling and culture. The houses provided services like health care, child care, and higher education. ENGLISH SETTLEMENT HOUSES The first settlement houses began in Great Britain in 1884. Toynbee Hall, Oxford House, and Mansfield House began through the charity of the wealthy, who donated money, and of middle class scholars, who donated time. Eventually, university students were encouraged to move to poverty-stricken neighborhoods in the hope that the students would become active in improving these communities. The efforts of the English settlement houses led others to seek to improve the conditions of the poor. Some residents began their own settlement houses. One barrister began the Poor Man's Lawyer service to provide free legal services for the poor. Eventually, the success of the settlement houses led to the practice of providing social work to the community. NEIGHBORHOOD GUILD The Neighborhood Guild was founded by Stanton Coit and Charles Bunstein Stover in New York City's Lower East Side in 1886. This was the most densely populated immigrant area of New York City. Coit had spent a few months at Toynbee Hall in Great Britain. When he returned, he decided to establish the Neighborhood Guild. When the Neighborhood Guild began, all the workers were male. These men provided assistance to those that came to the settlement house. Several of the first workers of the Neighborhood Guild were also writers. In addition to their duties at the Neighborhood Guild, they used their writing talents to seek social reform on behalf of the poor. Eventually the writing of these men led to an awareness of the plight of the housing and working difficulties in the Lower East Side. The Neighborhood Guild has lasted for more than 125 years. Today it is known as the University Settlement and has 43 locations throughout New York City. The Guild members believe that if immigrants and poverty-stricken families can have access to basic services, they can achieve the American dream of life, liberty, and happiness. HULL HOUSE Much like the Neighborhood Guild, Hull House was established after its founders, Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr, visited Toynbee Hall. When Addams and Starr returned to Illinois, they established Hull House in a Chicago mansion on September 18, 1889. They aimed to improve society by creating a place that provided services to the poor. Through the efforts of Addams and Starr, Hull House became perhaps the most prominent settlement house in history. At the height of its popularity, Hull House provided educational services to women and children by establishing a kindergarten and offering night school to adults. The founding members also helped women in Chicago by fighting for suffrage, seeking shorter work hours in factories, and opposing prostitution. During the height of Hull House's public service, more than 2,000 people visited the center weekly. The original Hull House expanded to include a city block. Hull House provided its residents with the following resources: -playground -bathhouse -nursery -theater -swimming pool -post office -libraries -art gallery -kindergarten -kitchen -boys club -gymnasium -night school -dining room -music school -auditorium Ironically, Hull House closed in 2012 due to bankruptcy. The original Hull residence was donated to the University of Illinois at Chicago, which has turned Hull House into the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum. SETTLEMENT HOUSES TODAY Today there are settlement houses throughout the world. Many are associated through the outreach of the International Federation of Settlements and Neighborhood Centers (IFS). The organization has a list of goals to connect settlement houses globally while attempting to assist those in their local communities. -IFS goals include promoting -communication among settlement houses to share ideas -cultural diversity through youth exchanges -cooperation with international organizations such as the United Nations IMPACT OF SETTLEMENT HOUSES The foundation of the first settlement houses in England and the United States fully implemented the idea of civic responsibility. Today, many believe it is important to improve their communities through public services. For instance, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services lists participation in the local community as a responsibility of United State citizens. Improving one's community is important for providing a better world for everyone.

State House of Representatives Leadership

The State House of Representatives is the lowest house of a state's congress. In some states, this body is called an assembly. The following positions are typically part of the leadership: -Speaker of the House - presides over procedure, which includes ruling on procedure, announcing House voting results, and moderating debate -Speaker Pro Tempore - serves as the temporary presiding officer when the Speaker of the House is unavailable -Majority Leader - sets the agenda for the floor of the House and oversees the chairs for committees -Majority Whip - ensures that party members remain loyal to the political platform; usually a senior member of the political party with the majority of House seats -Minority Leader - ensures discipline of the minority party and enacts punishment, generally through demotion, if anyone strays from party politics -Minority Whip - enforces the adherence of lower party members to the minority party's political policies; a senior member of the political party with the minority of House seats

State Senate Leadership

The State Senate is the upper house of a state's congress. The following positions are typically part of the leadership: -PRESIDENT - serves as the presiding officer of the state's Senate (in many states, this individual is also the lieutenant governor) =oversees procedural issues =announces senate voting results =votes if there is a tie in the Senate -PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE - acts as the presiding officer of the Senate if the president is unavailable -MAJORITY LEADER -sets the legislative agenda and oversees the chairs for committees -MAJORITY WHIP - ensures that party members remain loyal to the party's politics; the senior member of the majority political party -MINORITY LEADER - ensures discipline of the minority party and enacts punishment, generally through demotion, if anyone strays from party politics -MINORITY WHIP - ensures that party members remain loyal to the party's politics; the senior member of the minority political party

Lieutenant Governor

There is a lieutenant governor for 45 of the 50 states. The precise tasks of the lieutenant governor may vary from state to state, but the office is uniformly the second-in-command. DUTIES: -Serves as president of State Senate -Influences legislation -Performs ceremonial duties -Acts as governor if elected governor is unfit to fulfill duties

Secretary of State

There is a secretary of state for 47 of the 50 states. The role of this position may vary, but the officeholder is a key aide to the governor. In three states without elected lieutenant governors (Arizona, Oregon, Wyoming), this position is the second-in-command. DUTIES: -Acts as chief elections officer -Catalogs official state records -Administers commercial or business codes in the state -Acts as notary of the public for state documents

State Treasurer

There is a state treasurer for 49 of the 50 states (all but Texas). The specific tasks of this office vary, but in general, this person is the state's chief financial officer. DUTIES -Manages investments -Handles the influx of income to the state treasury -Catalogs surpluses and deficits

Where did Jane Addams get the idea to start a settlement house in Chicago?

Tonybee Hall in London

The main legislative body in nearly all counties in the United States is the Board of Commissioners. (true or false)

True

County Courts, Judges, and Justices of the Peace (Presentation)

WHAT ARE COUNTY COURTS? -They are found in all states except -Louisiana, which has parish and city courts; -Alaska, which has district courts; and -Rhode Island, which also has district courts. -They have jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases. -Their jurisdiction generally matches the local sheriff's. HOW DO COUNTY COURTS WORK? -County courts usually operate the same as city, state, and federal courts. -The major difference is jurisdiction. -Many cases involve property, since counties keep records of real estate. -Where criminal and civil cases are heard often depends on where the incident occurred. WHAT'S THE IMPORTANCE OF COUNTY COURTS? -They try court cases within the county's jurisdiction. -The courts are located in the county seat, or a town or city that houses the county government. -The county seat is usually where official county records are kept. -Court days historically brought people in from rural areas, giving county seats economic and political significance. WHAT DOES A COUNTY JUDGE DO? A county judge -hears civil and criminal cases brought before county court -examines a variety of issues dealing with county business and records, often including elections, probate, real estate, and grants and contracts -works with sheriff's office and local justices of the peace, depending on state laws and policies -functions in some counties as an administrator (executive) rather than a court (judicial) officer JUSTICE OF THE PEACE A justice of the peace -serves as officer of lower state courts, also called a magistrate or district judge in some counties -officiates in many states over courts with limited jurisdiction, sometimes referred to as Small Claims Court -performs civil marriages, issues warrants, examines routine traffic violations, and carries out other duties as assigned by state law

Executive Branch

Who: Governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, treasurer, various commissioners; labels for particular offices may vary What they do: Approve and carry out state laws Powers: Veto proposed laws, appoint administrators and (in most states) justices Notable variation: State Senate president in Tennessee and West Virginia also designated as lieutenant governor

Legislative Branch

Who: Senators and representatives (in all but one state, specific titles vary) What they do: Create and pass laws Powers: Legislative oversight and review, program performance and evaluation Notable variation: Nebraska has unicameral rather than bicameral legislative body

Judicial Branch

Who: State Supreme Court and state courts of appeal What they do: Try cases involving violation of state laws, hear appeals of difficult cases Powers: Correct errors made in lower courts, refer constitutional cases to US Supreme Court Notable variation: Highest court in Maryland and New York is the Court of Appeals, not the state supreme court

referendum

a decision about a single political issue, put to the general electorate for a vote

coroner

a government official who is responsible for investigating suspicious, violent, or sudden deaths (often called medical examiner)

megalopolis

a series of large urban areas linked together

expressed powers

abilities and authority directly outlined in the Constitution

A state supreme court is a(n) __________ court where a case may be tried for the last time.

appeals

When making _____, counties must establish a set of requirements that anyone who wants the position must meet.

appointments

The legislatures of 49 of the 50 states are __________ legislatures that are structured very similarly to the United States Congress.

bicameral

Three areas most of the 50 state governments are concerned with are __________.

budget, education, and laws

What role does the governor serve in a state's government?

chief executive

How does the freegan movement seek to improve the community?

civic responsibility

The philosophy behind freeganism stems from a desire to reduce __________ created in a capitalist society.

communal waste

Some states have used the Eighth Amendment to abolish the __________.

death penalty

A referendum is a(n) __________.

decision about a single political issue, put to the general electorate for a vote

child welfare

efforts in social work focused on improving the lives of disadvantaged children

What does the Eighth Amendment outlaw?

excessive bail and torture

At the city level, law enforcement is headed by an elected sheriff. (true or false)

false

The lowest percentages of civic engagement are found at the local level of government (true or false)

false

The _____ Amendment protects people from unlawful searches and seizures.

fourth

The __________ of most state governments are a mixture of those on local and national levels.

framework

What is the significance of the freegan movement?

freegans promote civic responsibility through attempting to limit community waste.

One way for the megalopolis to accommodate continued population growth is to __________ areas that were previously part of a county's jurisdiction.

incorporate

deputies

individuals who assist and sometimes can act as a substitute for a senior figure

Settlement houses led many people to believe that __________.

it is important to improve the community through public services.

Which county officer performs civil marriages, issues warrants, examines routine traffic violations, and carries out other duties as assigned by state law?

justice of the peace

The best way people can start to improve the nation is at the __________ level.

local

What is a disadvantage of being incorporated into a city?

loss of connection with nature

A _____ is a large city that has grown to the point that it engulfs neighboring municipalities.

megalopolis

A _____ is a series of large urban areas linked together.

megalopolis

To prevent _____, candidates for county positions must meet an established set of requirements that are directly relevant to the job.

nepotism

To prevent __________, appointments allow counties to establish a set of requirements that anyone who wants the position must meet.

nepotism

The spirit of George Wright is a spirit of __________, and knowing what the right thing is to do.

persevering

A(n) _____ is a gathering of signatures to show support for changing an existing law or creating a new law.

petition

nepotism

practice of people in power appointing supporters, friends, and family members to posts or jobs

What occurs when private businesses are allowed to supply services that government has traditionally provided?

privatization

Today, the police cannot search a person's body, car, or home without __________.

probable cause

municipal

relating to a city

__________ started as a social movement by the wealthy and middle classes to assist the poor.

settlement houses

At the county level, the _____ has the power to deputize groups of citizens to enforce the law.

sheriff

The jurisdiction of a county court matches the jurisdiction of the local __________.

sheriff

The position of a __________ oversaw a feudal shire, like the modern county, and was important enough that the Norman kings kept it intact after the invasion.

shire reeve

Which court at the state level is the court of last resort?

state supreme court

jurisdiction

the limit or extent to which a governmental body can make legal decisions

Which power does a sheriff hold?

the power to deputize groups of citizens to enforce the law.

incorporate

to absorb or take into a large whole

What is the lowest level of a state's court system?

trial courts

Like a cake, government comprises different layers that all share powers. (true or false)

true

Settlement houses improve the community by providing those in need access to important services to help improve their lives. (true or false)

true

The lowest percentage of civic engagement is at the local level of government. (true or false)

true