State and Local Government
Directions - Follow the links to web pages that contain the information you need to complete questions on this page. Write the answers to the questions on a separate sheet of paper with both individuals' names.
Go to the Website http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/VC/visitor_info/creating/creating.htm. If this link does not work search: pa power port → pa government → general assembly → a guide to state government
Questions:
Legislative Branch
1. What is the Legislative Branch of Pennsylvania's state government called?
2. What two houses make up this branch of government?
3. How many members are there in each house?
4. Is the governor allowed to call the houses into a special, or lame duck, session? Why?
5. What day are elections for the state legislature?
6. How long are the terms of the members of each house?
7. What are the qualifications to be a member of each house?
8. Can someone be fired from the state legislature? If so, how?
9. Infamous crimes disqualify someone from becoming elected to the legislature. What are infamous crimes?
10. What are the two highest ranking members of the Senate?
11. Who is the highest ranking member, and presiding officer, of the House?
12. In a debate, what are Republicans and Democrats referred to as? See "Party Leaders"
Judicial Branch
1. Draw a pyramid as described in the first paragraph describing Pennsylvania's Judicial Branch. Do not include the courts of Philadelphia or Pittsburgh.
2. How many Justices are there on the PA State Supreme Court?
3. How long do State Justices serve once they are elected to the bench?
4. What three cities does the PA Supreme Court hear cases?
Executive Branch
1. What is the state's highest executive office?
2. What date does this position's term begin?
3. How long is a term for this office and how many terms may be served by the same person?
4. If the head of the executive branch passes away, who takes over? Who then takes that person's position?
5. Does the head state executive office have powers of commander-in-chief and to grant pardons similar to the U.S. executive office?
Who are my Representatives in Government?
Directions - Use the following websites to find out the names of the individuals who represent you at various levels of state government. Number your answer sheet below the questions you answered above and write the names of the people at each level of government.
http://www.snydercounty.org/snyder/site/default.asp
http://www.selinsgrove.org/sny-selinsgrove/site/default.asp
1. Who is the governor of Pennsylvania?
2. What two possible congressional district numbers might you live in and who are the representatives?
3. What two possible senate district numbers might you live in and who are your senators?
4. Who are the three people on the Snyder County Board of Commissioners?
5. Who is the borough's mayor and borough manager?