Post on 14-May-2015
Do-Now You will have a do-now and transition activity
after WSMS.
Do-Now Please work on your do-now and transition
activity silently. Transition Activity: make up your own bill!
Announcements Projecto! Tests
Review What did we do yesterday?
o What activities did we do?o What information did we learn?
Take out your homework!
Analogies Action!
VA Legislative BranchUnit: State & Local Govt
Take-Home Point
o Compare and contrast the legislative branch of the national govt with what you know about VA’s legislative branch.
Is civics on replay?
Today’s Agenda Do-Now + Transition Activity Announcements + Review + HW Check VA Legislative Branch
o Noteso It’s a BILL or just JOSHin’ youo Recent bills in the GA
Take-Home Point
Notes Time!VA Legislative Branch
Virginia Legislative Branch
The legislative branch is the General Assembly, a bicameral legislature – the House of Delegates and the Virginia Senate – that meets annually for a fixed number of days
The General Assembly is charged with making the laws of the state, approving the budget, and electing Virginia court judges.
“General” Assembly? I guess we couldn’t agree on calling ourselves either
Awesome or Stellar Assembly .
House of Delegates
Right now, there are 100 members.
Annual salary- $17,640
Term length- 2 years Qualifications:
o 1) at least 21 years oldo 2) lives in same district
as he/she representso 3) is qualified to vote
Pretty sweet part-time gig!
Senate
Right now, there are 40 members.
Annual salary- $18,000
Term length- 4 years Qualifications:
o 1) at least 21 years old
o 2) lives same district as he/she represents
o 3) is qualified to vote
Become a Senator!
You get to smile
awkwardly all the
time, like I am now!
State Senate Districts Map
Virginia General Assembly
The General Assembly meets annually, beginning on the second Wednesday in January, for 60 days in even-numbered years and for 30 days in odd-numbered years, with an option to extend the annual session for a maximum of 30 days.
Lawmaking Process Basically the
same steps as last time:o Introducing a bill o Working in
committeeso Debating the bill on
the floor of each house
o Voting on the bill in each house
o Sending the bill to the governor to sign into law
Lawmaking
Elected officials in the Virginia General Assembly write laws and take action in response to problems or issues
Individuals and interest groups help shape legislation
The Big Issues in Lawmaking
Education o Why it’s a big issue- to promote an informed and
engaged populationo Example-by establishing minimum standards for
local schools Public health
o Why- to promote and protect the health of its citizens
o Example- by funding health benefits Environment
o Why- to protect natural resourceso Example- by improving water quality in the
Chesapeake Bay
The primary issues in the legislative process at the state level:
State budgeto Why- to approve a biennial (two year)
budget prepared by the governor Revenue
o Why- to levy and collect taxes
It’s a BILL or just JOSHin’ you!
True/False
It’s a BILL or just JOSHin’ you!
Blue is true; red is false Read the statement and hold up your
card.
It’s a BILL or just JOSHin’ you!
To run for the House of Delegates, you need to be at least 21 years old.
It’s a BILL or just JOSHin’ you!
Gun control is a primary issue in Virginia govt.
It’s a BILL or just JOSHin’ you!
Ms. Mitchem wants to retire by the time she’s 40. She wants to get a part-time job in the General Assembly. She should run for state Senate.
It’s a BILL or just JOSHin’ you!
A bill goes through both houses of the General Assembly at the same time.
It’s a BILL or just JOSHin’ you!
You don’t need to be a U.S. Citizen to run for the House of Delegates.
It’s a BILL or just JOSHin’ you!
There are 535 people in Virginia’s lawmaking body.
It’s a BILL or just JOSHin’ you!
Virginia judges are appointed by the governor.
Allegedly Real Laws in VA
From dumblaws.com:o Police radar detectors are illegal.o It is illegal to tickle women.o No animal may be hunted for on Sunday with the exception
of raccoons, which may be hunted until 2:00 AM. Local laws in VA:
o In Prince William County, no person may keep a skunk as a pet.
o In Norfolk, spitting on a sea gull is not tolerated.o In Culpeper, no one may wash a mule on the sidewalk.
In South Dakota, it is illegal to lie down and fall asleep in a cheese factory.
In Nebraska, it is illegal for bar owners to sell beer unless they are simultaneously brewing a kettle of soup.
Now a REAL law! HB1407 Punishment for underage drinking and driving;
penalty. Provides that "zero tolerance" (0.02% BAC) underage drinking and driving is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor. Currently, the punishment is loss of license for six months and a fine of no more than $500. This bill provides that the punishment must include forfeiture of such person's license to operate a motor vehicle for a period of one year from the date of conviction and either a mandatory minimum fine of $500 or 50 hours of community service.
HISTORY 02/22/11 House: Signed by Speaker 02/23/11 Senate: Signed by President 03/26/11 Governor: Approved by Governor
Bill Practice or Bractice, if you will!
Looking at recent bills in the General Assembly
Take-Home Point
o Compare and contrast the legislative branch of the national govt with what you know about VA’s legislative branch.
Is civics on replay?