Download From Treaties to Statehood

Our Government in Action
Essential Question
How do government and civic responsibility affect the way
we live?
Levels of Government
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After the United States became a new country, we
had to organize a new government.
Men from each of the 13 states met to discuss
what kind of government we should have.
These men wanted a government that would be
strong enough to hold the country together.
The new government was divided into three levels:
national, state, and local government.
The U.S. Constitution
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The U.S. Constitution is the plan of government the
Founding Father’s developed.
The Constitution specifically states that the power
to rule the nation comes from the people.
Our government is described as a democratic
republic because the power to govern comes from
the people through elected representatives.
American lives have changed tremendously since
the U.S. Constitution was written and signed, but it
still remains a source of pride and the basis of a
government for a free people.
The Bill of Rights
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The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution
because people worried their rights wouldn’t be
protected.
The Bill of Rights includes 10 amendments. Each
amendment covers a specific right we have as
citizens of the United States.
Separation of Powers
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Our government separates power among three
branches of government: executive, legislative, and
judicial.
Each branch has its own responsibilities. This system is
called checks and balances. It makes sure no single
branch becomes too powerful.
The legislative branch has two houses: the Senate, and
the House of Representatives.
Each state has two representatives in the Senate, but
the number of people elected to the House of
Representatives depends on the population of the state.
The executive branch is headed by the president.
The judicial branch is responsible for the administration
of justice. The U.S. Supreme Court is the highest court
in the land.
Many people belong to a particular political party. These
parties work to get members of their party elected to
office.
Washington’s Government
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The 10th Amendment gives certain powers to the
states and the people.
All states have their own constitution.
Our state government has the same three
branches as the federal government, except our
state government branches make decisions on a
state level instead of a national level.
Our state legislature is set up just like the U.S.
Congress. There is a state senate and a state
house of representatives.
The legislature works in committees. These
committees review proposed laws before they are
sent to the house or senate for a vote.
How a Law Is Made
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There are multiple steps involved in the process of
making a bill a law.
The bill is proposed and drafted. It then goes to a
committee. If it is approved, the bill moves to a
hearing where the committee can make
amendments to the bill or let it die.
If the bill is sent on, legislators discuss the bill and
vote on it. If the bill is passed, it is reviewed again
and the senate and the house each have a final
vote.
If both houses accept the bill, it is sent to the
governor to review it. At this stage, the governor
can either pass or veto the bill.
If the bill is vetoed, the legislature can cancel the
veto by having two-thirds of both houses agree to
pass the bill.
The Executive Branch
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The state executive branch is headed by the
governor. The governor has many powers and
duties.
Our governor has the unique power to veto an
entire bill or veto single sections of a bill. This is a
power the president of the United States does not
have.
There are many people besides the governor that
work within the state’s executive branch.
These elected officials help keep the executive
branch running smoothly and properly.
The Judicial Branch
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The highest court in Washington is the state
supreme court. It contains nine judges.
The judicial branch determines the meaning of our
laws.
Washington’s court system also contains courts
below the state supreme court.
Local Governments
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As citizens of Washington, we are also governed
by local governments.
Local governments oversee counties, cities, and
towns.
There are 39 counties in Washington. Three
county commissioners run each county.
There are 270 municipal governments meaning
they each manage a city or town.
A municipality is governed by either a mayor and
city council, city manager and city council, or
commissioners.
City governments provide services to people living
in their city.
Indian Sovereignty
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Indian tribes in Washington have freedom from
outside control, also known as Indian sovereignty.
Tribal governments are separate from state and
local governments.
They meet in tribal councils to make their own
laws.
Their tribal councils are made up of
representatives. They make laws and policies for
the whole reservation.
Government Services
• The government provides many services we
enjoy as citizens of the United States.
• Public schools are a government service paid
for by tax dollars. Private schools are paid for
by the parents of each student.
• Since taxes pay for public education, the
state legislature is able to require certain
things from the public school districts.
Tax Policy
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People pay taxes so the government has money
to pay for services it provides.
Although Washington residents do not pay a state
income tax like everyone else in the United
States, they do pay a federal income tax.
Instead of an income tax, people in Washington
pay taxes on homes and land, retail sales, public
utilities, tobacco, and alcohol.
Our Civic Duties
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Civic duties are the responsibilities we have as
citizens.
Voting, volunteering, obeying the laws, and
respecting people’s rights are examples of
exercising our civic duties.
Voting is both a responsibility and a privilege we
have as citizens.
At the age of 18 you can register to vote and are
given a place to vote on election day. On election
day, you vote using a private ballot in a private
booth.
There are many ways to get involved in the
government before you are 18.
Volunteering is a great way to get involved and
serve your state or local community.