The First FiveNovember 19, 2014

Agenda Message: No homework tonight!Today’s Warm-up: Interpret the meaning

Think-Pair-Share

• How does Georgia’s Constitution outline the structure for the three branches of government?

The First FiveNovember 20, 2014

Agenda Message: Answer the following questions…1. What is the name of Georgia’s legislative branch of Government? 2. Who presides over the state House of Representatives?3. Who presides over the state Senate?4. Where does the state government meet each year?5. In which building does the state government meet?

Today’s Warm-up:1. How many constitutions has the state of Georgia had since

1777?2. Why is Georgia’s constitution the highest set of laws for the

state?

Unit 5 Georgia’s Constitution

Georgia Performance Standards: SS8CG1: The student will describe the role of citizens under Georgia’s 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: • SS8CG2: The student will analyze the role of the legislative branch in Georgia

State government.• SS8CG3: The student will analyze the role of the executive 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 4 branches:

1. Executive2. Legislative3. Judicial4. Citizens• 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’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:1. House of Representatives has

180 members2. Senate has 56 members.• Every 2 years, Georgians elect

these members.

Georgia’s Legislative Branch• The House of Representatives,

is presided over by the Speaker of the House, who is elected by the entire membership.

• The current Speaker of the House, David Ralston, was selected in 2010.

Georgia’s Legislative Branch

• The Lieutenant Governor, Casey Cagle, presides over the Georgia Senate.

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.

Ticket Out the Door

• Who is the current Governor of Georgia?• Who is the current Lieutenant Governor of

Georgia?• What are the qualifications to serve as the

Governor?• What are the qualifications to serve as the

Lieutenant Governor?

The First Five November 21, 2014

Agenda Message: Have a safe & wonderful break!Today’s Warm-up:

Why are courts and judges needed in Georgia? Also, what does it mean to be presumed innocent, until proven guilty in a court of law?

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).

Georgia’s Judicial Branch

• The Georgia Supreme Court is the state’s highest court and holds certain powers that no other court in Georgia has. These include:

1. interpreting laws passed by the Georgia General Assembly

2. resolving challenges to elections results3. reviewing cases where the death penalty was sentenced. • Unlike the U.S. Supreme Court, the seven justices on the

State Supreme Court are elected to 6 year terms by Georgia voters.

Georgia Supreme Court Justices

http://www.gasupreme.us/biographies/

Georgia’s Judicial Branch

• While all courts in the judicial branch play a part in ensuring justice in our legal system, the Supreme Court plays the most important role by interpreting laws enacted by the legislative branch.

• If the Georgia Supreme Court rules that the law is unconstitutional (not supported by the Georgia or U.S. Constitution) then the law is struck down.

• The power to interpret laws is one of the checks that the judicial branch has over executive and legislative branches and is a way to protect against “bad” laws and ensure justice for all of Georgia’s citizens.

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

Ticket Out the Door

1. What is the role of the Judicial System in Georgia?

2. Which court is the highest in the state?3. Who appoints the seven justices to the

Georgia Supreme Court?