Governments in the Governments in the U.S.U.S.

By Mrs. WainwrightBy Mrs. Wainwright

June 26, 2007June 26, 2007

What is a government?What is a government? A government is a group of people A government is a group of people

who come together to make rules who come together to make rules and laws as well as make sure that and laws as well as make sure that these rules and laws are enforced.these rules and laws are enforced.

Levels of GovernmentLevels of Government

NationalNational– Located in Located in

Washington D.C.Washington D.C. StateState

– Located in Located in CaliforniaCalifornia

LocalLocal– Located in Rancho Located in Rancho

CucamongaCucamonga

Each level of Each level of government has:government has:

An Executive BranchAn Executive Branch– Makes sure laws are Makes sure laws are

obeyedobeyed A Judicial BranchA Judicial Branch

– Makes sure laws are Makes sure laws are fairfair

A Legislative BranchA Legislative Branch– Makes the lawsMakes the laws

National GovernmentNational Government

The President leads the executive The President leads the executive branch.branch.

The Supreme Court, the highest court in The Supreme Court, the highest court in the country has nine justices or judges the country has nine justices or judges that are appointed by the President.that are appointed by the President.

Congress has two parts; the Senate and Congress has two parts; the Senate and The House of RepresentativesThe House of Representatives

State GovernmentState Government

The governor of California is Arnold The governor of California is Arnold Schwarzenegger.Schwarzenegger.

Lawmakers meet in the capitol building Lawmakers meet in the capitol building which is located in Sacramento.which is located in Sacramento.

The two groups that make up the The two groups that make up the legislative branch in California are the legislative branch in California are the senate and the assembly.senate and the assembly.

Local GovernmentLocal Government

The mayor of Rancho Cucamonga is Bill The mayor of Rancho Cucamonga is Bill Alexander.Alexander.

Council members of a city are elected Council members of a city are elected by the people from that city.by the people from that city.

Departments are a part of the Departments are a part of the government that provide service to government that provide service to people (i.e. fire, police, and public people (i.e. fire, police, and public works).works).