California Cadet Corps Curriculum on Citizenship “California, Here I Come!” C1B: California Government Updated: 16 FEB 2021 CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT B1. California State Government – Executive Branch B2. California State Government – Legislative Branch B3. California State Government – Judicial Branch B4. State: Bill Becomes Law B5. California Governors B6. Voting and the Ballot Initiative Process CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT: UNIT OBJECTIVES OBJECTIVES: The desired outcome of this unit is that Cadets will be able to explain the design of the government of California and how it carries out governmental functions. Plan of Action: 1. Be able to identify the three branches of California state government and describe in general ways who makes up each branch. 2. Describe the function of the California State Cabinet. 3. Match the executive branch elected officials to the office they hold 4. Name the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Adjutant General. 5. Describe the legislative breakdown of senators and representatives and name the ones that represent you. 6. Name the three types of state courts in California. 7. Identify the steps for a bill to become a law in California. 8. Match facts about California Governors with the Governor. 9. Identify the steps in the ballot initiative process. 10. Describe a ballot initiative. California State Government: Executive Branch OBJECTIVES: DESIRED OUTCOME (Followership) Cadets will be able to explain the design of the government of California and how it carries out governmental functions. Plan of Action: 1. Be able to identify the three branches of California state government and describe in general ways who makes up each branch. 2. Describe the function of the California State Cabinet. 3. Match the executive branch elected officials to the office they hold 4. Name the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Adjutant General. Essential Question: What are the branches of our state government, how do they interact, and who are the key players? 3 Branches of Government Executive Branch • Governor & Lieutenant Governor • Cabinet Officials • Agencies • Departments • Boards • Committees The California government is huge. This just shows the top-level offices (all with many employees) of just the Executive Branch! California Cabinet The Cabinet level offices in the state government are: • The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development • The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services • The Governor’s Office of Planning & Research • The Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency • The Environmental Protection Agency • The Government Operations Agency What is the California Cabinet? • The Labor and Workforce Development Agency The Cabinet is responsible for • The Natural Resources Agency supplying the Governor with • The California State Transportation Agency comprehensive information about the • The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation state’s operations to aid the Governor • The Department of Finance in identifying California’s long-term • The Department of Veterans Affairs needs. • The Department of Food and Agriculture • The Military Department MG David Baldwin The Adjutant General 2011 - present Governor • Top of the Chain of Command – Always be able to name who the Governor and Lieutenant Governor are – Roles of the Governor include: Chief Executive Roles: Carries out State laws, appoints officials, and prepares a budget Commander in Chief Commands the National Guard and the State Militia; at the top of the Chain of Command for the California Cadet Corps Legislative Leader Proposes legislation and laws, approves or vetoes legislation Judicial Leader Appoints Judges, Offers Pardons and reprieves, and grants parole Ceremonial Leader Greets important visitors, represents the state, goes to ceremonies, gives the annual State of the State address Party Leader Is the leader of their political party for the state Check On Understanding 1. Name the three branches of state and federal government. 2. For each item below, name which branch of government it falls under: a) The Governor b) The Attorney General c) State Agencies d) Superior Courts e) State Boards f) The Military Department g) The Secretary of State 3. What is the purpose of the Cabinet in state government? 4. Who is the top person in your Chain of Command? California State Government: Legislative Branch OBJECTIVES: DESIRED OUTCOME (Followership) Cadets will be able to explain the design of the government of California and how it carries out governmental functions. Plan of Action: 5. Describe the legislative breakdown of senators and representatives and name the ones that represent you. Essential Question: What comprises the California legislative arm of government, and who represents you? Legislative Branch California Senate California State Assembly • 40 Senators • 80 Assembly Members • 4-year terms • 2-year terms • Led by President Pro Tem • Led by elected Speaker • Both houses of the Legislature are about 75% Democratic, 25% Republican • Both houses enact legislation (pass bills which then become laws) • Both houses confirm/reject appointments made by the Governor • Influence over the state budget, organization & procedures of state agencies • Establish voting districts, affecting the potential outcome of future elections • The term limits for members of the legislature is 12 years in either house Check On Understanding 1. How many state senators are there? 2. How many state assembly members are there? 3. What is the legislature’s role in making laws? 4. Are legislators subject to term limits? How does that work? California State Government: Judicial Branch OBJECTIVES: DESIRED OUTCOME (Followership) Cadets will be able to explain the design of the government of California and how it carries out governmental functions. Plan of Action: 6. Name the three types of state courts in California. Essential Question: What comprises the judicial arm of California state government? Judicial Branch • Interprets laws • Settles disputes in court • Determines guilt or innocence of people accused of violating laws Tani Goree Cantil-Sakauye • Protects rights of California Chief Justice individuals 3 Levels of Court Other types of courts – Traffic, Small Claims, Civil Courts, etc. fall into the Superior Court system (called County Court here), along with the Trial Courts Attorney General • The Attorney General is the state’s chief law officer • You’d think that would make him/her part of the judicial branch • But the AG, and the Department of Justice, work for the Governor as part of the Executive Branch • The AG oversees law enforcement agencies, including district and city attorneys and sheriffs, and acts as chief counsel in state litigation Xavier Becerra California Attorney General Check On Understanding 1. What are the three levels of courts in California’s judicial branch? 2. What position is the head of the judicial branch? 3. At what level of government do you find superior courts? a) State b) County c) City State: Bill Becomes Law OBJECTIVES: DESIRED OUTCOME (Followership) Cadets will be able to explain the design of the government of California and how it carries out governmental functions. Plan of Action: 7. Identify the steps for a bill to become a law in California. Essential Question: How does a bill become a law in California? From Bill to Law https://youtu.be/fuz7It61jg4 Steps for a Bill Becoming a Law • Develop an idea you want to make law • Draft the wording for the law • Introduce the bill into the Senate or Assembly • Committee Reviews • Second Reading • Floor Debate and Vote • Introduce the bill into the other house • Committee Reviews • Second Reading in that house • Floor Debate and Vote – If approved with any changes, it goes to a Conference Committee to work out mutually acceptable changes or wording – Floor Debate and Vote in both houses • To the Governor to Sign or Veto Check On Understanding 1. If you have an idea you want to make into a law, who do you present it to? 2. What does a legislative committee do in their part of making bills into law? 3. Where does the bill go after it has been passed in its first vote in the legislature? 4. What is a Conference Committee? 5. Who signs a bill to make it a law? California Governors OBJECTIVES: DESIRED OUTCOME (Followership) Cadets will be able to explain the design of the government of California and how it carries out governmental functions. Plan of Action: 8. Match facts about California Governors with the Governor. Essential Question: What should we know about California Governors throughout history? Governors • As of 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom is the 40th Governor of California • Eleni Kounalakis is the Lieutenant Governor California Governors 1st Governor of California Peter Hardeman Burnett December 20, 1849 – January 9, 1851 • Born 1807, Died 1895 • Independent Democrat • Profession: Farmer, Author, Lawyer, Miner, Politician, Judge • Interesting Fact: As a member of the Oregon territorial legislature, signed the first exclusion laws, prohibiting blacks from living free in Oregon. He also called for a “war of extermination” against Native Americans. • Resigned after one year Note: We don’t want to go through all 40 governors, so we just picked some of the more interesting ones. All are covered in the text for this lesson. California Governors 6th Governor of California Milton Latham January 9, 1860 – January 14, 1860 • Born 1827, Died 1882 • Lecompton Democrat • Profession: Teacher, Lawyer, Politician • Interesting Fact: California Governor with the shortest time in office. Resigned to be appointed Senator five days into his governorship. Note: We don’t want to go through all 40 governors, so we just picked some of the more interesting ones. All are covered in the text for this lesson. California Governors 12th Governor of California Romualdo Pacheco February 27, 1875 – December 9, 1875 • Born 1831, Died 1899 • Republican • Profession: Judge, Rancher • Interesting Fact: He was, so far, the only Hispanic Governor of California, the first Hispanic representative in the US Congress. He came from a very prominent Mexican family. Note: We don’t want to go through all 40 governors, so we just picked some of the more interesting ones.