reforming government
New forms of municipal government
COMMISSION SYSTEM: • The board of commissioners oversees government • each commissioner oversees one aspect of government THE COUNCIL- MANAGER PLAN • The city Council oversees city government • The council hires a professional city manager BOTH : • in both systems, the mayor has limited power
Council manager system of government
The council manager system is used in about 40% of US towns and cities • includes cities such as: Phoenix, Dallas, and San Diego
La Follette's Proposals
the goal was to weaken the power of "big business" and political machines and government and put more power in the hands of the citizens •tax reform- The passage of an income tax in which wealthier people would pay higher taxes • business reform- elimination of monopolies and trusts and support for Worker's Compensation • election reform- limiting of campaign contributions •direct primary - the choosing of candidates by voters in elections EXAMPLE: Presidential primaries
Bringing power to the people
• Progressive reform measures in government -Recall -Referendum -initiative
Recall
• an election that lets citizens remove and replace a government official before that official term of office ends • different from an impeachment Example: governor gray Davis of California was removed from office by recall
Advantages of the council manager system
• it removed the influence of the spoils system and political machines from city management • City manager was not elected and could therefore be impartial in the political process • experienced professional could be hired or removed by elected leaders
the 17th amendment (1912) passed by reformers
• originally the constitution required state legislators to elect to senators • critics said the system gave too much power to political machines and lead to corruption • legislators often cannot agree on their choice of senator • States passed the 17th amendment ( The people of each state shall like their senators)
Challenges for city government
• political machines ran many cities using corrupt practices • Exchange favors for votes • rigged elections • committed bribery and theft of city treasuries • many governments were poorly organized • unable to keep up with rapid growth THEY STRUGGLED TO PROVIDE: -clean water -electricity -Basic sanitation services -transportation
The Galveston hurricane of 1900
•a devastating hurricane hit Galveston, Texas. •deadliest storm in US history •8,000 people dead •property to damage in the millions •citizens created a new form of government to rebuild their city
The Galveston plan
old system: mayor-Council •the mayor and city council run the government •the city council oversees all areas of government. •the mayor is influential New system: commission plan: • board of commissioners run the government • each commissioner oversees one aspect of government • The mayor has a little power
Robert La Follette
progressive reformer from Wisconsin •expected governor in 1900 • created a set of reforms called the Wisconsin Idea •elected US senator in 1906
Reforming municipal government
reformers began to overthrow corrupt municipal governments • established merit system for hiring of public employees • expanded and improve city services • created better schools, Parks,and playground -many embraced new forms of government to achieve these aims
Initiative
A process by which voters can propose new laws or change existing ones • citizens in about half of the states in the US have this right • example: women's suffrage in Arizona was granted by initiative
Referendum
Popular vote to approve or reject a law Example: many states require voters to approve amendments to the state constitution
The Wisconsin idea: working together
business and labor leader + university professors> help politicians > aim to increase efficiency and expand democracy Direct primary- allow voters to choose candidates