Local GovernmentPage 31

Why did Frank Beamer go to the bank? To get his quarter back.

Standard 8a

Essential Understanding: The units of local government in Virginia are political subdivisions created by the General Assembly.

Essential Questions: What are the units of local government in Virginia? Which officials are locally elected? Which powers do local governments exercise?

Vocabulary: towns, counties, cities, board of supervisors, ordinances, school board, town council, mayor, town manager, sheriff, clerk of the court, commissioner of revenue, treasurer

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=OTc0TLvI7-dYVM&tbnid=99-U2TaEhffRdM:&ved=0CAYQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fceliac.org%2Flive-gluten-free%2Fgluten-free-lifestyle%2Fvalentines-day-candy-list%2F&ei=_T0sU8ScCaLt0gG8ooC4BA&bvm=bv.62922401,d.aWc&psig=AFQjCNGgcPlzK-Oen5ttNlRRdidwnvVAMQ&ust=1395494771976861

Which term means a

division of power between

national and state

governments?

Which level of

government is most often responsible

for international

issues?

Who heads the

executive branch in Virginia?

Which hat is President Obama Which hat is President Obama wearing in this illustration?wearing in this illustration?

What are the first four steps What are the first four steps in a bill becoming a law?in a bill becoming a law?

Which branch can impeach Which branch can impeach the President?the President?

How many people are How many people are in the U.S. House of in the U.S. House of

Representatives?Representatives?

Who ratifies Who ratifies amendments to the amendments to the U.S. Constitution?U.S. Constitution?

Which Which document document

established a established a weak central weak central government government

for the for the United United States?States?

Which Which fundamental fundamental principle principle means that means that no one is no one is above the above the law?law?

Local governments in Virginia are political subdivisions created by the General

Assembly. The units of local government in Virginia are counties, towns, and cities.

Local governments exercise legislative, executive, and judicial powers.

Counties

• All Virginia counties have an elected Board of Supervisors that exercises legislative powers, enact ordinances (local laws), and adopt an annual budget.

• All Virginia counties have an elected or appointed School Board that oversees the operation of the K-12 public schools in the county

Towns

• All Virginia towns have an elected Town Council that exercises legislative powers, enact ordinances and adopts the town’s annual budget.

• A mayor is elected either by the voters or the Town Council members.

Cities

• All Virginia cities have an elected City Council that exercises legislative powers, enacts ordinances and adopts an annual budget. A mayor is elected by the voters or the City Council members.

• All Virginia cities/counties have an elected or appointed School Board that oversees the operation of the K-12 public schools in the city/county.

In Virginia counties, towns, and cities, a

manager may be hired by the elected legislative

branch to oversee the operations of the local

government.

In every Virginia locality, courts resolve judicial

disputes. Judges of the circuit courts, district courts,

juvenile and domestic relations courts, and small claims courts hear cases in

each locality.

The Virginia Constitution requires that voters in every locality elect a sheriff, a clerk of the

circuit court, a commissioner of revenue,

and a treasurer.

Virginia local governments exercise defined and limited powers, including the power to…

• Enforce state and local laws

Virginia local governments exercise defined and limited powers, including the power to…

• Enforce state and local laws

• Promote public health

Virginia local governments exercise defined and limited powers, including the power to…

• Enforce state and local laws

• Promote public health

• Protect public safety

Virginia local governments exercise defined and limited powers, including the power to…

• Enforce state and local laws

• Promote public health

• Protect public safety

• Educate children

Virginia local governments exercise defined and limited powers, including the power to…

• Enforce state and local laws

• Promote public health

• Protect public safety

• Educate children

• Protect the environment

Virginia local governments exercise defined and limited powers, including the power to…

• Enforce state and local laws

• Promote public health

• Protect public safety

• Educate children

• Protect the environment

• Regulate land use

Virginia local governments exercise defined and limited powers, including the power to…

• Enforce state and local laws

• Promote public health

• Protect public safety

• Educate children

• Protect the environment

• Regulate land use

• Levy and collect taxes

On the left side of your notebook, you will place a list of local officials.

You will get their names from an Internet search.