Unit 5 Georgia’s Constitution

Georgia Performance Standards: SS8CG1: The student will describe the role of citizens under Georgia’s Constitution.

Georgia’s Constitution• Georgia’s Constitution is a written set of guidelines for

operating the state’s government.• It is the highest set of laws for the state.• The state has had 10 constitutions.• Georgia’s Constitution outlines the following:1. Structure of government2. Elections3. Three branches of government4. Taxes5. Public Education6. Local Government7. Process for amending (making changes) to the

Constitution

State Motto

• Georgia’s motto is Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation

• It is located on the state flag and seal.

Georgia State Government: Executive Branch, Legislative Branch,

& Judicial BranchGeorgia Performance Standards: • SS8CG3: The student will analyze the role of the executive branch in Georgia

state government.• SS8CG2: The student will analyze the role of the legislative branch in Georgia

State government.• SS8CG4: The student will analyze the role of the judicial branch in Georgia

state government.

Branches of Georgia’s Government

• Georgia state government is divided into 3 branches: Executive, Legislative, & Judicial

• This helps to ensure that one branch does not have too much power = Checks and Balances

Executive Branch-Governor of Georgia• Nathan Deal was sworn in as

Georgia’s 82nd Governor on January 10, 2011.

• Qualifications for Governor:A. U.S. citizen for 5 yearsB. Resident of Georgia for the 6

years preceding the electionC. 30 years old or older• Role = Enforces Georgia’s laws

Lieutenant Governor • On November 7, 2006, Casey Cagle made

Georgia history by becoming the 1st Republican ever elected to the state’s 2nd highest office.

• He was re-elected as the 11th Lt. Governor on November 2, 2010.

• Qualifications for Lt . Governor are:1. Must be a U.S. citizen for 5 years 2. Lived in Georgia for six years3. 30 years old or older• The Lt. Governor of Georgia has no restrictions

on the number of times he or she can hold the office.

• Role = the Lt. Governor's primary job is to serve as President of the Georgia Senate. Takes over as Governor if the Governor dies, resigns, or is impeached.

Georgia State Executive Branch: Support Officers

Dr. John BargeState Superintendent of Education: Oversees

Georgia’s public education

Brian KempSecretary of State:

Oversees state elections & official

records

Sam OlensAttorney General:

State lawyer

Georgia State Executive Branch: Support Officers

Ralph HudgensCommissioner of Insurance:

Oversees the insurance industry in the state

Mark ButlerCommissioner of Labor:

Oversees employment and Human Resources in the

state

Tommy IrvinCommissioner of

Agriculture: Oversees farming, crop production, &

agribusiness in the state

Georgia’s Legislative Branch• The General Assembly’s role is

creating state laws.• It was established by the Georgia

Constitution of 1777.• This bicameral (2-houses)

legislature is divided into the House of Representatives (180+ members) & the Senate (56 members).

• Every 2 years, Georgians elect these members.

Georgia’s Legislative Branch• The General Assembly meets for 40 days, beginning the

2nd Monday in January.• During this 40-day session, many bills (proposals for laws)

are proposed. Some bills are passed into laws by a majority vote from the House of Representatives and the Senate.

• These laws will:1. Regulate people’s behavior2. Provide for local government3. Allow the state to raise and spend money4. Provide state services

Georgia’s Legislative Branch• In the General Assembly, Georgia’s Lieutenant Governor

presides over the Senate.• The Speaker of the House of Representatives presides

over the House of Representatives• In the event that both the Governor and Lieutenant

Governor cannot fulfill their terms, the Speaker of the House of Representatives will become the Governor.

• If the Governor does not support a proposed bill, he or she can veto (reject it).

• Then, 2/3 majority vote from the House of Representatives and the Senate can override the Governor’s veto (rejection) of a bill.

Georgia’s Judicial Branch

Georgia’s Judicial Branch

• Its role is to interpret and apply the laws that the General Assembly creates each year.

• State courts handle two classes of disputes:1. Civil: The court helps to settle disputes

between two or more parties.2. Criminal: The state takes legal action against

someone who has been arrested for committing a crime (breaking the law).

Fourth Branch

• This additional branch focuses on Georgia’s citizens and their roles.

• The roles of the citizens are:1. Voting: Must be 18 years old or older2. Paying Taxes: Helps to fund & run the

government3. Being a good citizen: Obey laws & volunteer

in your community