Answers | Graded A+
Comparative sizes of the federal and state workforces, as well as which includes more
elected officials - Answer-The US has more than 80,000 units of government. There are
537 elected officials at the national level and close to 500,000 elected state and local
government officials
/.What areas of public policy do the states take most of the responsibility for? - Answer-
Public educational system, highway network, and provide most of America's law
enforcement, public health, welfare, and recreational services
/.- How similar are the different state governmental systems to one another? - Answer-
All state governments have a constitution and separation of powers among the 3
branches. Each state does not have exactly the same powers, structures, and inter-
relationships
/.- Constitutionalism definition - Answer-Government is created by the people for certain
limited purposes which are to be spelled out in a constitution
/.- Age of current Constitution - Answer-Adopted in 1982
/.- Number of constitutions Georgia has had - Answer-10 since 1777
/.- Length of the last two Georgia constitutions - Answer-Last one had 500,000 because
it was amended so often (1000 amendments by 1982)
/.- Prevailing constitutional doctrine in Georgia (and, by contrast, nationally) - Answer-
Unless the state constitution specifically allows the state governments to carry out a
particular act, then the government can't do it
/.o Impact this has on the length of the Constitution and number of amendments passed
- Answer-Had to be amended so often to allow things like Fulton County to expand its
homestead property tax exemption, to permit a state agency to change its name, and to
increase the size of state scholarships to medical students
/.- Special amendments vs. general amendments and which are allowed in the current
Constitution - Answer-Special amendments= only pertain to single localities, now
prohibited
General amendments= statewide application, only type allowed by Constitution
/.- Amendment procedure in Georgia - Answer-Proposed amendments placed on ballot
and voted on by public
, /.- Average number of amendments on the ballot every year and how many are
approved - Answer-Average of 10 proposed amendments with about 7 being approved
/.- What kind of subjects do the 11 articles of the Georgia Constitution cover? - Answer-
Basic rights of the individual; voting and elections; legislative, executive, and judicial
branches; taxation; finance; education; local government; and amending procedures
/.- In format, length, and content, how does the Georgia Constitution compare to the
constitutions of other states? - Answer-Now in the mainstream of American state
constitutional development
/.- In theory, who is the most important and powerful individual in the Georgia political
system? In practice? - Answer-In theory and in practice governor is most important and
powerful
/.- How can the Georgia governor be removed before his term is up? - Answer-
Impeachment and conviction by the state legislature
/.- Eligibility requirements to run for Georgia governor - Answer-30 years old and
national citizenship for 15 years and state residency for 6 years
/.- General characteristics of most past governors of Georgia - Answer-Nearly all of
Georgia's governors have been professional politicians who have reached office after
years of holding other elected offices. All governors have been white males
/.- Different roles the Georgia governor plays - Answer-Head of State-the formal
representative of the State of Georgia; greets and visits dignitaries and acts as
spokesman for the state in dealings with other states and with the national government
Head of Government- management of all the state's various programs and services,
exists more in theory than in practice
Commander in Chief- controls the National Guard and the police force (State Patrol)
and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation
Chief Executive- main responsibility to see that the laws are being carried out by
ensuring that programs are placed into operation and services are delivered to the
people, chief administrator over the state government's executive agencies
/.- Ways the Georgia governor has more or less power than the President
o Executive appointments, budgeting process, veto power - Answer-Appointive power-
limited (weakest in the country) because several executive departments in GA are
elected by the people and are independent of the governor, naming the heads of
government agencies
Budgeting- governor has complete control over Office of Planning & Budget, has more
budgeting power than US president
Line item veto- specific veto on appropriations (budget) bills, governor can reject a
particular expenditure program without having to veto the entire bill