Our Government –

A look at our Federal andNew York State Governments

Presented to: 8th. Grade Social Scientists

Presented by: Mr. Cook and Mrs. Camuto

United States Government

Th e W h ite H ou se

E xecu tive B ran ch(C arries ou t th e law s )

Th e U .S . C ap ito l B u ild in g

L eg is la tive B ran ch(m akes th e law s )

Th e S u p rem e C ou rt

Ju d ic ia l B ran ch(m akes su re A L L law s a re leg a l)

Th ree B ran ch es

http://www.Whitehouse.gov/government/#

http://www.Whitehouse.gov/government/#

http://www.Whitehouse.gov/government/#

The Executive Branch• This branch includes – 1.) President 2.) Vice President 3.) 15 Cabinet Members• President’s jobs include: Approving and carrying out laws

passed by Legislative Branch Appointing and removing cabinet

members Negotiating treaties Acting as Head of State Commander in Chief of the Armed

Forces.http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/#

The Legislative Branch

• Two houses of congress!

1.) House of Representatives

2.) Senate• MOST important duty to

make laws!• Laws are written,

discussed and voted on in congress.

• Senate must also ratify all treaties.

http://www.clipart.com

The TWO Houses of Congress!

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES!

• Number of Congressmen based on State’s population.

• 435 members of the House

• Serve two year terms• Helped strengthen the

large states power!

SENATE• Each State elects TWO

Senators.• 100 total Senators• Serve six year terms• Helped strengthen the

small states power!

The Judicial Branch• Led by the Supreme

Court• This is the highest court

in the land• ALL decisions are final!• Contains NINE Justices

and ONE of them is named the Chief Justice

• NO term limits; serve for life!

• Appointed by President; approved by Congress.

http://www.supremecourtus.gov/about/photo16.html

CHECKS AND BALANCES!• OUR Government has a system

where each branch can check on the other so one branch NEVER gets to powerful!

For EXAMPLE:• President MAY sign new laws

or VETO them!• Congress MAY override a veto

and MUST o.k. any declaration of war!

• Supreme Court makes sure all laws are Constitutional!

http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/life/peindex.html

How a Bill becomes a Law!• Bills (ideas for LAWS) can

originate in either the Senate or the House

• Committees then discuss and debate the bill

• They can either “kill it” or send the bill on for a vote

• Both the Senate and the House must approve it in a vote for it to move to the President

• The President may sign or veto the bill

• If vetoed, Congress may revote and “override” the veto.

http://www.clipart.com

Separation of Powers!

National Government State Governments

* May not violate the Bill of Rights* May not impose export taxes among states* May not use money from the Treasury without the passage and approval of an appropriations bill* May not change state boundaries

* May not enter into treaties with other countries* May not print money* May not tax imports or exports* May not impair obligations of contracts* May not suspend a person's rights without due process

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0877700.html

New York State’s Government

• Like the U.S. Government, it also includes THREE branches!

• They also include:

1.) Executive

2.) Legislative

3.) Judicial

http://www.senate.state.ny.us/

New York State’s Executive Branch!

• KEY PEOPLE:1.) Governor2.) Lieutenant Governor3.) State Comptroller4.) Attorney General5.) Many other heads of various departments

• As with the Federal government, this branch carries out the laws.

http://www.albany-new-york.com/

New York State Legislative Branch!

• New York State has two houses in the this branch:1.) State Senate2.) NY State Assembly • Lieutenant Governor is the Senate’s President• The speaker presides over the Assembly• Their main job is to make the laws!                   

http://www.senate.state.ny.us/

New York State’s Judicial Branch!

• Court of Appeals – State’s HIGHEST court!

Six associate judges A Chief Judge• Serve 14 year term• Judges appointed by

Governor• The Chief Judge is the chief

judicial officer of the State.• Supreme Court has four

Appellate Divisions

http://www.courts.state.ny.us/history/elecbook/fourthdept/pg1.htm

Comparing the Executive Branches!

1 5 C ab in e tm em b ers

V ice P res id en t

P res id en t

F ed era l G overn m en tL oca ted in :

W ash in g ton , D .C .

S ta te C om p tro lle r A tto rn ey G en era l

L ieu ten an t G overn or

G overn or

N ew Y ork S ta te G overn m en tL oca ted in :

A lb an y, N .Y .

Th e ir h om es an d o ffices !

Th e E xecu tive B ran ch(B o th C A R R Y ou t th e L aw s )

http://www.Whitehouse.gov/government/#

http://www.albany-new-ork.com/

Comparing the Legislative Branches!

S en ate H ou se o fR ep resen ta tives

F ed era l G overn m en tL oca ted in :

W ash in g ton , D .C .

S en a te A ssem b ly

N ew Y ork S ta te G overn m en tL oca ted in :

A lb an y, N .Y .

P laces o fB u s in ess !

L eg is la tive B ran ch es(B o th M A K E th e law s !)

http://www.Whitehouse.gov/government/#

http://assembly.state.ny.us/Tour/?sec=guided

Comparing the Judicial Branches!

N in e Ju d g es

S u p rem e C ou rt

F ed era l G overn m en tL oca ted in :

W ash in g ton D .C .

F O U R A p p e lla te D ivis ion s

on e C h ie f Ju d g e /s ix A ssoc ia te Ju d g es

C ou rt o f A p p ea ls

N ew Y ork S ta te G overn m en tL oca ted in :

A lb an y, N .Y .

P laces o fB u ss in ess !

Ju d ic ia l B ran ch(E xam in e law s to m ake su reth ey a re C O N S TITU TIO N A L )

http://www.Whitehouse.gov/government/# http://

www.courts.state.ny.us/history/elecbook/2ddept/pg1.htm

Where do we fit in the world?

http://www.clipart.com

FINAL OVERVIEW!

• BOTH the Federal Government and New York State Government have VERY similar designs with different names for the various offices!

• EACH branch has a specific job and ALL branches can CHECK the other branches!