GOVERNMENT IN PENNSYLVANIA

A D V E N T U R E

GOVERNMENT IN PENNSYLVANIA 1) Identify Pennsylvania as a commonwealth. 2) Explain how Pennsylvania is part of the national government. 3) List and describe the three branches of state government. 4) Name and describe structures of local government in Pennsylvania. 5) Identify state symbols of Pennsylvania Government in Pennsylvania A. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 1. official title of state – Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 2. commonwealth – "for the good of all" B. State Government, located in Harrisburg, PA 1. Executive branch a. governor b. lieutenant governor-voted into office with governor 2. Legislative branch a. General Assembly (1) Senate – 50 members (2) House of Representatives – 203 members (2000 census) 3. Judicial branch a. Supreme Court of Pennsylvania C. Local Government 1. elected by the people 2. three branches of government 3. local services – police, fire, education, water, sewage, trash collection, snow removal 4. forms of government a. county b. city c. township and borough government 5. how a bill becomes a law a. introduction of a bill b. committee work/public hearings c. approval of House/Senate d. approval of Governor e. bill becomes a law D. Federal (National) Government, located in Washington, DC 1. two senators elected for a six-year term 2. nineteen representatives elected for a two-year term (2000 census) (1990 census) 3. participation by citizens in election of president every four years		Identifications Places and Terms borough – a self-governing community "checks and balances" – a system by which no one branch becomes too strong city – a self-governing community with a large population, governed by a mayor county – one of the sections into which a state is divided; Pennsylvania has 67 counties. Executive Branch – enforces the law governor – the highest elected official in the state; head of the Executive Branch; S/He is elected for a term of four years. Judicial Branch – explains the law Legislative Branch – makes the law lieutenant governor – elected with the governor to operate state government for a term of four years state representative – elected to the state legislature (General Assembly) for a term of two years in the House of Representatives; Pennsylvania has 203 state representatives. state senator – elected to the state legislature (General Assembly) for a term of four years in the Senate; Pennsylvania has fifty state senators. Supreme Court of Pennsylvania – consists of seven judges elected for a term of ten years (one Chief Justice and six judges) township – a community of self-governing citizens who live in areas outside of cities United States representative – elected to the United States House of Representatives for a term of two years to represent a state; There are 435 United States representatives in Washington, DC. United States senator – elected to the United States Senate for a term of six years to represent a state; There are 100 United States senators in Washington, DC.