Date post: | 28-Dec-2015 |
Category: |
Documents |
Upload: | mabel-mitchell |
View: | 220 times |
Download: | 2 times |
Local Law-Making Process
How Laws are Made in Florida’s Cities
What is a City?
• Independent municipal governments founded by citizens who choose its name.
• A legislature approves the municipality charter approved by citizens
• City charter = constitution • Ordinances = laws that govern cities
How do Cities govern?
• Home rule – Self government by citizens at the local level – Every city is run by people who were elected to
make and change laws – Laws cannot conflict with state or federal law
Who Governs a City?
• The people elected to run the city are usually called mayor, councilmember, or commissioner.
• Greg Oravec, Mayor of Port St. Lucie
How are Ordinances Made?
• In order to vote on ordinances, city councils and commissions create a meeting schedule. – Most meet monthly or bi-monthly
Local Law-Making Part I
• Proposed ordinances must be presented to the council or commission in writing – Can only be about one (clear) subject
• 10 days prior to a vote on proposed ordinance, a notice must be posted for citizens – Date, time, place of meeting of vote – Title of ordinance – View full text of ordinance – Citizens have chance to be heard during meeting
Local Law-Making Part II
• Majority of council or commission members required to be present (quorum).
• Majority of quorum must vote in favor • Votes kept as official record • Ordinance becomes effective as outlined in
proposal or 10 days after the vote
Now that you know ALL about the lawmaking process…
• Write a paragraph (or two) comparing and contrasting the lawmaking processes at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Can be on the same sheet of paper as your notes or a new sheet of paper.