Attachment C: Reading- ’s State Government

Citizens of Florida have local governments to meet the needs of their communities. A much larger state government serves the needs of all Floridians. A state’s constitution describes how that state’s government is set up. The Florida Constitution lists the rights of Florida’s citizens and the jobs of the Florida state government.

The Florida Constitution

The Florida Constitution is divided into 12 articles, or parts. The first article is called the Declaration of Rights. It lists the rights and freedoms of all Floridians. Those rights include freedom of speech and freedom of religion. The authors of Florida’s constitution based those rights on the Bill of Rights, which is part of the Constitution.

The Florida Constitution is also like the United States Constitution in the way it sets up the government. It provides for three branches, each with special jobs to do. One branch passes, or makes, the laws. A second branch makes sure that the laws are obeyed. A third branch runs the courts, which judge people charged with breaking the law.

Like the United States Constitution, the Florida constitution can be amended, or changed. The Florida Constitution has been completely rewritten in the course of its history. The constitution that Florida has today was approved in 1968.

The Legislature

The is the lawmaking branch of Florida’s state government. It meets in the building in Tallahassee. The Florida legislature is set up like the United States Congress. Each has two parts – the Senate and the House of Representatives, also called the House. The Senate and the House work together to protect the lives, freedoms, and property of Floridians.

Florida has 40 senators and 120 representatives. Senators serve four- year terms. Representatives serve two-year terms. Term limits do not let senators or representatives hold office for more than eight years in a row. Term limits were voted into law in 1992 and took effect in 2000.

Florida is divided into separate Senate and House election districts. These districts are set up by the size of an area’s population. Since there are fewer Senate districts than House districts, a senator represents about three times as many Floridians as a representative does. This is because the Senate works for the interests of citizens throughout the state. The House works more with local issues.

The Florida Legislature approves Florida’s budget, which is prepared by the governor. A budget is a written plan for spending money. The budget plans how to spend tax money. The money is used to run the government and to pay for services for Floridians. It is also spent to protect and improve the environment.

The Executive Branch

Voters choose a governor to head the executive branch. The executive branch makes sure that the laws made by the legislature are carried out. It also prepares Florida’s budget. The governor is elected to a four-year term. No governor can serve more than two terms.

As the leader of the executive branch, a governor suggests bills, or plans for new laws, to the legislature. The legislature then votes on whether to pass each bill.

There are three ways a bill passed by the legislature can become a law. The usual way is for the governor to sign the bill. If the governor does not sign it but does not try to stop it, the bill becomes a law after seven days.

The governor can also veto, or reject, a bill. However, if two-thirds of the Senate and House vote for the vetoed bill, it becomes a law.

The governor has help in running the executive branch. Voters elect a lieutenant governor. This person acts as governor when the governor is out of the state or cannot work.

The governor works with a team of elected decision-makers – the attorney general, the commissioner of agriculture, and the chief financial officer. The governor also appoints many others to help run the executive branch.

The Judicial Branch

The judicial branch of Florida’s government makes sure laws made by the legislature are fair and agree with the Florida Constitution. The judicial branch is made up of judges and courts that hear and decide law cases.

Court cases begin in the lower courts – the 20 circuit courts use a system of jury trials. In a jury trial a group of citizens, called a jury, hears and decides a case in court. Often a jury trial used to decide if a law has been broken. It might also be used to settle an argument. Courts hear less serious cases.

Above the lower courts are the district courts of appeal. These courts hear cases in which people ask the judge to change a decision that was made by a judge or jury in a lower court.

The Florida Supreme Court is the highest court in Florida. Its seven judges, called justices, are first selected by the governor. When a justice’s six- year term is over, Florida voters decide if the justice will serve another term.

The Supreme Court decides cases about the fairness of Florida laws. It also reviews decisions made by the district courts of appeal.

Voters’ Powers

Along with the right to vote comes a responsibility to vote. A responsibility is a duty—something that a person should do. Voters elect the officials who work for all the people in Florida.

Florida voters can amend the Florida Constitution. Every 20 years a group of citizens meets to suggest changes to the state constitution, passed in 1968, is the state’s sixth constitution.

Voters can ask for a constitutional convention to write a new constitution. They can also state an initiative. An initiative is an amendment to the constitution made by voters instead of by the legislature. To start an initiative, voters sign a petition asking for an amendment. A petition is a signed request for action. If enough voters sign the petition, the initiative is put on the ballot to be vote on in the next election.