Scribd
Upload
5 views20 pages

State and Local Governments 2025

States have the authority to manage their own affairs through individual constitutions, which outline government structure, rights, and provisions for state affairs. The New Jersey Constitution includes a preamble, a bill of rights, and details on government branches and local governance. Local governments in New Jersey consist of counties and municipalities, each with specific powers and responsibilities to provide community services.

Uploaded by

iwouldliketostayanonymous4
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
5 views20 pages

State and Local Governments 2025

States have the authority to manage their own affairs through individual constitutions, which outline government structure, rights, and provisions for state affairs. The New Jersey Constitution includes a preamble, a bill of rights, and details on government branches and local governance. Local governments in New Jersey consist of counties and municipalities, each with specific powers and responsibilities to provide community services.

Uploaded by

iwouldliketostayanonymous4
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 20

STATE

GOVERNMENT
STATE LAW: CONSTITUTIONS
States have the right to manage their
own affairs (10th amendment). They do
this by having their own constitutions,
which describes how their governments
work. Sometimes called STATE LAW,
they’re longer than the regular U.S.
Constitution and serves the needs of
citizens in their state.
1. Preamble – purpose/goals of NJ government.
2. Bill of rights – lists rights guaranteed to NJ citizens
3. Provisions for elections/voting- manage elections
4. Government structure – three branches
5.Provisions for managing state affairs- such as
education, law and order, highways, and taxation
6. Amending the state's constitution and
approved amendments.
NJ CONSTITUTION: PREAMBLE
“We, the people of the State
of New Jersey, grateful to
Almighty God for the civil
and religious liberty which
He hath so long permitted
us to enjoy, and looking to
Him for a blessing upon our
endeavors to secure and
transmit the same
unimpaired to succeeding
generations, do ordain and
establish this Constitution.”
STATE POWERS: rights/functions
• The Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution says any
power not given to the federal government belongs to the
states and the people . These powers are known as “reserved
powers”
• Some powers are shared by both
• These powers include: the states and federal government.
▪Elections (conduct them) These are called concurrent powers.
▪Education (school funding/policies)• Examples of concurrent powers:
▪Public Safety (police, fire, health) • Taxes
• Making and enforcing laws
▪Commerce (business/economy) • Court systems
▪Public building programs • Borrowing and spending money
▪Laws: issue licenses, minimum wage, regulate traffic,
highways/roadways/property, create local governments
(counties, cities, towns, communities)
Government Structure: Three Branches
EXECUTIVE LEGISLATIVE JUDICIAL
• Make the state laws, suggest • Decide how state laws
• Approves and enforces the should be applied: hear
amendments and approve
state laws. the state budget/governor’s cases, settle disputes.
appointments. • Chief justice, associate
• The GOVERNOR- leader • Elected by the people of the justices and other judges.
of the state, elected by the state: Types of State Courts:
people. Duties/powers- 1. Senate (small house) • 1. NJ Supreme Court—
appoints state officials & HIGHEST COURT in the state,
2. General Assembly handles cases from the appeals
judges, creates and oversees
state budget, manage ( larger house). court, help guide how state laws
are interpreted and used.
emergencies, call on national • They introduce and vote on • 2. Superior Court (including the
guard and ask federal bills such as taxes, etc. Appellate Division— handle
government for help. Leaders- Senate president & serious criminal and civil cases
Speaker of the General and hear appeals from the lower
Assembly. Direct Democracy courts (minor civil cases and
• Lieutenant Governor - initiative, referendum, and misdemeanors, family-relations,
• Secretary of State recall powers allow voters in and small claims)
• Attorney General, Treasurer, some states to take direct • 3. Municipal Courts- handle
Auditors and Commissioners action to make laws, minor criminal offenses, traffic
violations, and local laws (city)
amendments, or remove violations. 4. Tax Court- deals
elected officials from office. with cases involving state taxes.
Municipal Courts
WORKING TOGETHER
Cooperation of states with each other and the federal government

▪ The full faith and credit clause of the


Constitution says each state must respect
each others’ laws.
▪ Extradition: Fugitives from one state can
be extradited if found in another state.
▪ Reducing pollution and maintain mutual
public interests.
▪ The U.S. Constitution guarantees a
"republican government" to each state.
▪ Putting down "domestic violence" in the
states.
▪ Conserve resources, assist the
unemployed, build highways, and offer
job training, taxes, etc.
▪ Cooperate in times of crisis (earthquakes,
floods, tornadoes, hurricanes) to provide
aid to disaster victims.
NJ LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
▪ PLACES/STRUCTURE: counties, municipalities (cities, towns,
townships, boroughs, villages), school and special districts.
▪ POWER: created and get their powers from the state government.
They have a charter, a basic plan/document that describes their
powers, responsibilities and organization.
▪ GOVERNANCE: municipalities means they have their own self-
government. Executive- mayor/manager is the leader, enforces the
laws, appoints city officials- police and fire chiefs. Legislative- city
council makes the laws. Judicial- municipal (city) courts interpret laws.
▪ FUNCTIONS/PURPOSE: Provide services for our communities such as
(1) maintaining roads/traffic. (2) Providing education and public safety
(public schools, police, fire & medical- 911). (3) Collecting taxes (sales
and property). (4). Providing utilities (water, gas, electricity, monitoring
sewage systems & waste management/trash collection) (5)
Constructing sidewalks and (6) streets/snow cleaning & transportation.
Passing laws/ordinances (parking/zoning, etc.). (7). Providing health
and welfare (hospitals, housing, food, recreations/parks, etc.)
TYPES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN NJ
A. COUNTIES (21) - Oldest and largest form of local government, subdivision of state.
Governed by county boards/commissioners, elected by voters. They supervise elections, enforce
state laws, collect taxes, and provide health and welfare services, parks, courts, records, roads,
and schools. Includes county executive, sheriffs, county clerk, etc. Ex: Bergen, Passaic, Essex.
B. MUNICIPALITIES (564)- (services: police, fire, medical, schools, public works)
• 1. Cities (52)- usually larger than towns or villages, urban with large populations,
with a mayor and 7 or more city council members. Ex: Garfield, Hackensack, Clifton,
Passaic, Paterson, Newark, Jersey City.
• 2. Towns (15) - usually smaller than cities and larger than villages, own government
with mayor and 8 council members . Have town meetings to discuss meetings, and
vote on issues, like direct democracy. Ex: Morristown, Secaucus, Newton, Kearny.
• 3. Townships (240) - Used in places with large rural populations, away from cities.
Have committees with 3-5 members. Ex: Saddle Brook, Teaneck, Wayne, Mahwah, Montclair.
• 4. Boroughs (254) - usually smaller than towns and cities, governed by 6
council members and a mayor. Ex: Elmwood Park, Lodi, Prospect Park, Hasbrouck Heights,
Bergenfield, Paramus, Teterboro, Fair Lawn, Fort Lee.
• 5. Villages (3)- usually smaller than towns and cities, governed by 5-6 village
council members with a mayor. Ex- Ridgewood, Ridgefield Park, South Orange.
City Government & Working together
• Mayor-Council Government — The leader is the mayor, who prepares the
city’s budget, suggests laws, and appoints city officials. The city council
pass laws and approve the mayor's appointments.
• Commission Government — Board of commissioners pass laws and carry
out the functions of government.
• Council-Manager Government — City council with the mayor, pass laws
and appoints the city manager, who runs the city, suggests laws, budget
and appoints department heads.
• Both local, state and federal work together: 1. public education—local
schools are managed by local boards but funded by the state and federal
government. 2. law enforcement: Local police, state police, and the FBI
share resources like crime labs. 3. Business Licensing and Grants: State
licensing boards ensure quality in local services, while the federal
government provides grants-in-aid and block grants (money) to both state
and local governments.
CITY GOVERNMENT TYPES

Board of Commissioners

City Council City Council


Mayors of some towns in Bergen and Passaic Counties, including Garfield city manager and the Bergen County executive

You might also like