Virginia State and Local Government

CE.8a-c Local Government

The Structure and Powers of the Local Government.

• The units of local governments in Virginia are created by the General Assembly.

• Local governments exercise legislative, executive, and judicial powers.

Multiple Choice

The units of local government in Virginia are created by

• The U.S. Constitution

• The General Assembly

• The Virginia Constitution

• The Virginia Declaration of Rights

Multiple Select

Local governments exercise legislative, executive, and judicial powers.

• True

• False

County Government

• Counties have an elected board of supervisors, which exercises legislative powers, enacting ordinances (local laws) and adopting an annual budget.

• A manager may be hired by the elected legislative branch to oversee the operations of the local government.

• An elected or appointed school board, oversees the operation of the K–12 public schools in the county.

Multiple Choice

A _________ may be hired by the elected legislative branch to oversee the operations of the local government.

• school board

• board of supervisors

• manager

Multiple Choice

A _________ exercises legislative powers, enacting ordinances (local laws) and adopting an annual budget.

• manager

• school board

• board of supervisors

Multiple Choice

Elected or appointed, the ____________ oversees the operation of the K–12 public schools in the county.

• school board

• manager

• board of supervisors

Town (Incorporated)

• An elected town council exercises legislative powers, enacting ordinances and adopting an annual budget.

• A mayor is elected by either the voters or the town council members.

• A manager may be hired by the elected legislative branch to oversee the operations of the local government.

• Towns are located within counties.

• Citizens receive and pay for services from both the town and county.

Multiple Choice

A ___________ may be hired by the elected legislative branch to oversee the operations of the local government.

• town council

• mayor

• manager

Multiple Choice

An elected ____________, exercises legislative powers, enacting ordinances and adopting an annual budget.

• town council

• mayor

• manager

Multiple Select

Towns are located within counties.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

A___________ is elected by either the voters or the town council members.

• members of the board of supervisors

• mayor

• manager

Multiple Select

Citizens who live within the town limits receive and pay for services from both the town and county.

• True

• False

Cities

• Cities have an elected city council, which exercises legislative powers, enacting ordinances and adopting an annual budget.

• A mayor is elected by either the voters or the city council members.

• A manager may be hired by the elected legislative branch to oversee the operations of the local government.

• An elected or appointed school board, oversees the operation of the K–12 public schools in the city.

Powers of Local Government

• promote public health

• protect public safety

• educate children

• enforce state and local laws

• protect the environment

• regulate land use

• levy and collect taxes

Virginia Local Governments

• In every county and city, state courts resolve judicial disputes.

• 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.

Multiple Choice

In every county and city, ___________ resolve judicial disputes.

• sheriffs

• police chiefs

• federal courts

• state courts

Multiple Select

Choose all that apply.

The Virginia Constitution requires that voters in every locality elect a ________, ________, ________, and a ________.

• treasurer

• clerk of circuit court

• manager

• commissioner of revenue

• sheriff

The authority of local governments in Virginia is derived from the state.

Local vs. State Government

• All powers of local governments in Virginia are given to them by the Constitution of Virginia and acts of the General Assembly.

• Not all counties and cities are given the same powers. Cities have charters listing their powers.

• Counties and cities assist in the local implementation of state laws and programs.

• Local government derives its funding from its ability to raise revenue in addition to money that the state provides.

Multiple Choice

All powers of local governments in Virginia are given to them by the ______________ and acts of the General Assembly.

• Virginia Constitution

• U.S. Constitution

• Virginia Declaration of Rights

• The Declaration of Independence

The Local Lawmaking Process

• Counties, cities, and towns adopt and enforce ordinances to provide services for their residents.

• Citizens learn the lawmaking process and influence public policy through direct participation and/or simulation.

• The lawmaking process requires collaboration and compromise.

Multiple Select

Counties, cities, and towns adopt and enforce ordinances to provide services for their residents.

• True

• False

Multiple Select

The lawmaking process requires collaboration and compromise.

• True

• False

Local Lawmaking Process

• An elected board of supervisors is responsible for passing laws (ordinances) in counties.

• An elected council is the local legislative body in independent cities and incorporated towns.

• Individuals can have the greatest influence on the decisions made by local government officials by communicating with them about their opinions and preferences.

Multiple Choice

An elected __________________ is responsible for passing laws (ordinances) in counties.

• school board

• mayor

• manager

• board of supervisors

Multiple Choice

An elected ___________ is the local legislative body in independent cities and incorporated towns.

• manager

• mayor

• council

• board of supervisors

Multiple Select

Individuals can have the greatest influence on the decisions made by local government officials by communicating with them about their opinions and preference.

• True

• False

Levels of Government

• Federal Government

• State Government

• Local Government (county, town, and city)

Multiple Choice

Which of the following choices is the lowest level of government?

• town

• state

• county

• federal

Multiple Select

Which of the following is the highest level of government?

• state

• federal

• local