State and Local Government

What is public choice model of politics?

-A model of politics that views governments and public services in market terms. Governments are seen as producers of public services and citizens are seen as consumers

What is the difference between a trustee and a delegate?

-A trustee is a legislator who believes he has been elected by the people for his beliefs and therefore, the people should trust in his judgment to deal with issues accordingly. -A delegate is one who tries to deal with issues according to how his constituents would favor. In essence giving a voice to the people and not to a legislator.

Discuss the Missouri Plan

-Also known as "Judicial merit selection" is when all judges must face periodic retention elections, although the length of term and other specifics vary from state to state. Missouri was the first state to adopt such a plan in 1940 hence the name, "The Missouri Plan".

Discuss the various roles governors must assume upon taking office.

-Chief Legislator: Work with individual legislators and committees to propose bills -Head of State Agencies: Determine who runs state departments -Chief Spokesperson for the State: Provides a central decision-making point for when things go wrong as well as a public face for the state in both good and bad times. -Party Chief: Leading figure in their party within the state. While senators can be more influential, governors still can reach out to his state more. -Commander in Chief of the National Guard: have power of the states national guard for the defense of the state like natural disasters and riots.

Discuss the three basic forms of local government.

-Commission Form: Executive, Legislative, and administrative powers are vested in elected commissioners -Council-Executive: Legislative powers are vested in a county commission and executive powers are vested in an independently elected executive. -Commission-Administrator Form: Executive and legislative powers reside with an elected commission which hires a professional executive

What are some potential economic and social problems of metropolitan growth?

-Concentration of poverty and crime into certain neighborhoods -White Flight, in which middle and upper-classes left central cities for the suburbs

Discuss the organizational characteristics generally associated with bureaucracies?

-Division of labor: Labor is divided according to task and function -Hierarchy: Authority concentrated at the top and flows down. -Formal rules: Operate on the basis of guidelines and procedures -Maintenance of files and records: Record their actions -Professionalization: Employees get their jobs based off of qualification.

Discuss how gubernatorial powers have changed over the centuries.

-Governors, after the American Revolution had little power because of distrust since British officials had appointed governors before the war and these governors imposed taxes on the people making themselves rich. With the complexity of the government, so came the number of agencies and governors were given more power to help deal with the agencies through the 20th century. In past decades, governors have been granted greater powers in hopes that states will function more efficiently and now have become important symbols of the state they represent.

How do street-level bureaucrats fulfill the policymaking role of bureaucracies?

-Have the ability and discretion to make decisions on what actions to and not to take.

What is home rule? Why do localities encourage state legislatures to adopt home rule statutes?

-Home rule is the right of localities to self-government, usually granted through a charter. -Localities encourage state legislatures to adopt home rule because it can free communities from state and county obligations.

Discuss the four functions of state legislatures.

-Lawmaking: Pass laws and create policies for their states -Representative: Provide a means for individuals interests represented -Constituent Service: Help residents sort out problems with state government -Oversight: Oversee the governor and executive branch through public hearings and formal Investigations

What are five formal powers of most governors?

-Power to Appoint: Can appoint their own teams to push their agenda. -Power to Prepare State Budgets: Allow for influence in legislature, ability to deny or approve funds -Power to Veto: Can veto bills the governor does not deem appropriate. -Power to Grant Pardons: Can forgive crimes if they believe the individual has been wrongly convicted -Power to Call Special Sessions: Can call legislature to meet when he deems necessary.

Describe the shift from "citizen" legislatures to "professional" legislatures.

-Professional legislatures are legislatures that meet full-time, pay members a salary, and employ staffs. Citizen legislatures meet part-time, have members that have other jobs, and have smaller staffs. However in some extent, all legislatures have made a move to professional because professional can provide more resources to their chambers and it allows keep up with a wider variety of interests.

What are the Pros and Cons of selecting judges through public elections?

-Pros: Elections allow greater popular control, Increases the representation of women and minorities -Cons: Threaten the independence of the judiciary, Qualified candidates could opt out

What is a special district, and why would a locality choose to create one? Two examples

-Special districts are single-purpose governments and are created to provide a specific service that is not being provided by a general purpose government. Special districts can be implemented as a way to head off threats political annexation of one local government to another. - Farmers in special water districts are eligible for discounted federal loans to help with irrigation. - School districts that help fund extracurricular means in schools.

What are some ways to address the problems of urban sprawl and metropolitan growth?

-Urban Growth Boundary -Regional Governments -Metropolitan planning organization

Describe Dillon's Rule and its Effects

Dillon's Rule defines the division of power between state and local governments. Local governments are limited to the powers expressly granted to them by their state. The rule reflects cultural traditions, politics, and practicalities.