CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT

Concurrent Powers
Concurrent powers
Authority possessed by both state and
national governments and exercised
concurrently (at the same time)

Power to tax
Right to borrow money
Establish courts
Make and enforce laws to carry out these
powers

Denied Powers
States cannot
Enter into treaties
Coin money
Impair obligation of
contracts
Cannot enter into compacts
with other states without
congressional approval

Congress cannot
Favor one state over
another in regulating
commerce
Cannot lay duties on
items exported from any
state (No State Tariffs)

California State Government

California Population= approx. 38 million people
Three Branches of Government
Executive Branch
Legislative Branch
Judicial Branch
California Constitution
Popular Sovereignty
Popular sovereignty is government based on consent of the people. The governments source of authority is
the people, and its power is not legitimate if it disregards the will of the people. Government established by
free choice of the people is expected to serve the people, who have sovereignty, or supreme power.
There are four ways that popular sovereignty is expressed in a democracy.
First, the people are involved either directly or through their representatives in the making of a constitution.
Second, the constitution made in the name of the people is ratified by a majority vote of the people or by
representatives elected by the people.
Third, the people are involved directly or indirectly in proposing and ratifying amendments to their
constitution.
Fourth, the people indicate support for their government when they vote in public elections, uphold the
constitution and basic principles of their government, and work to influence public policy decisions and
otherwise prompt their representatives in government to be accountable to them.

Executive Branch
8 Statewide Elected Officials
2 -- Four Year Terms

Governor
Lieutenant Governor
Secretary of State
Treasurer
Controller
Attorney General

Edmund G. Brown, Jr.

Gavin Newsom

Superintendent of Public
Instruction
Insurance Commissioner

Tom Torlakson

Debra Bowen
Bill Lockyer
John Chiang
Kamala Harris

Dave Jones

Legislative Branch= makes laws

Assembly
80 members
2 year terms
Term limits= 6 years
Speaker of the Assembly:
Controls where representative are
placed in committee
Controls how bills come through
the legislature

Senate
40 members
4 year terms
Term limits= 8 years

Judicial Branch= judge if laws are fair

Superior Court
Trial court
In every county
Appellate Court

appeals from Superior

court

6 in California

Supreme Court
7 justices

How is California Organized?

58 Counties
Governed by the Board of
Supervisors

461 Cities
Charter= big cities
General law= small cities

4,000 Special Districts

schools
Flood control
Animal
Mosquito abatement
Forest
Sewer
Water
Gas
Housing
Earthquake
Port
Health care
Pollution control

California Voters
In 1911, during Hiram Johnsons
tenure as governor, these were
added to the state government,
giving California a degree of direct
democray unmatched by any U.S.
state.
Recall: Voters can remove offi cials
from offi ce
Initiative: A law made directly by
voters instead of by a legislature
Petition: A signed request for action
Referendum: An election in which
voters can decide whether to keep
or do away with an existing law.