GA Gov Exam GCSU| q/a 2023/24

GA Gov Exam GCSU| q/a 2023/24 Comparative sizes of the federal and state workforces, as well as which includes more elected officials - State workforce is much larger than the federal (3 mil/13 mil); state has much more elected officials (537/500,000) What areas of public policy do the states take most of the responsibility for? - public education, highway network, law enforcement, public health, welfare, recreational services How similar are the different state governmental systems to one another? - no two state governments are exactly alike Principles and beliefs associated with Constitutionalism - Gov created by the people for certain limited purposes; lays out powers and establishes institutions; the constitution itself should be easily changed Age of current Constitution - went into affect in 1983 Number of constitutions Georgia has had since 1777 - 10 Length of the last two Georgia constitutions - 1977 (over 500,000 words); 1982 (~25,000 words) Prevailing constitutional doctrine in Georgia vs nationally - the state govt can only do something if the constitution allows it to do something, fed govt can do anything unless the constitution says it can't (makes the state constitution longer, need for more amendments to act) Special amendments vs. general amendments - special amendments (not allowed) apply to only one section of the state, general amendments apply to the state as a whole Amendment procedure in Georgia - amendment procedure is different/similar to us constitution -2/3 vote in both chambers -needs majority of voters in elections approving it Average number of amendments on the ballot every year and how many are approved - about 10 are on ballot every year and about 7 are approved What kind of subjects do the 11 articles of the Georgia Constitution cover? - covers a wide array of subjects -basic rights -voting -education In format, length, and content, how does the Georgia Constitution compare to the constitutions of other states? - its in the mainstream; about on par with the other state constitutions In theory, who is the most important and powerful individual in the Georgia political system? In practice? - Governor How can the Georgia governor be removed before his term is up? How many times has this happened? - impeachment; never Eligibility requirements to run for Georgia governor - must be 30, have to be a US citizen for 15 years and a state citizen for 6 years General characteristics of most past governors of Georgia - White; male Different roles the Georgia governor plays - -head of state (ceremonial) -head of government -commander in chief -Chief executive -"management by exception" Ways the Georgia governor has more or less power than the President - Fiscal Authority -Office of Planning and Budget (OPB) -most significant Legislative Authority -line-item veto (governor can take of particular lines that he doesn't like on spending/ appropriation bills) Policy-making boards and why it is hard for the Governor to control them - (5-7 yr terms) which are usually appointed by governor (except: depart of transportation) "Management by exception" - governor makes very few decisions directly; governor is only involved in resolving borderline/controversial cases In what different ways are the heads of executive departments selected in Georgia? - chosen through election How did Jimmy Carter reorganize the state executive agencies? What was the result of this reorganization? - Jimmy Carter was able to reduce the number of executive agencies from 300 departments to 22 departments; the reorganization did make the executive branch simpler in structure, more easily comprehended by the public, and better managed by the governor and the department heads. Which power of the Governor is held by some political scientists to be the most important of his policy-making and management tools? - fiscal affairs: raising revenues and spending funds; this is true especially in GA. an important source of the governor's fiscal powers is the Office of Planning and Budget (OPB) State budget process and the role of the Office of Planning and Budget (OPB) - the process