Local Government. and Citizenship. Section2. Map 46 South Carolina Councils of Government. Local Government

Transcription

1 Section2 Local Government and Citizenship As you read, look for: the different forms of local government and how they are financed, the rights and responsibilities of citizens, the role of political parties in local government, and vocabulary term: citizen. Map 46 South Carolina Councils of Government Map Skill: In which district are you located? Most people think of national or state government when they think about government services. Ironically, it is the local government, whatever the type, that provides most of the services that people use everyday. Local Government There are several types of local governments in South Carolina. The county is one type. South Carolina has forty-six counties, which operate under the direction of a county council or a combination of a council and a supervisor or administrator. Councils generally have between five and eleven members who serve terms of two or four years. The counties oversee many of the day-today services provided state residents, including garbage collection, landfill service, and police protection. Each county has a county seat where the business for the county takes place. Another form of local government is the city or town. Although they are included in the county government, cities and towns in South Carolina also provide services to residents. Cities and towns are usually governed Section 2 Local Government and Citizenship 605

2 Map 47 South Carolina Counties Map Skill: What is the name of your county? What is the name of the next county closest to where you live? by the council-manager form of government. The councils vary in size and term of office. Another form of local government is the special service district. Special service districts provide specific services to specific areas. Often these districts deal with fire protection or water and sewer service. It is not unusual for a family to live in a special service district inside of a town inside of a county. The board of school commissioners, or school board, is another form of local government. School boards are responsible for providing education for the state s children. There are eighty-five school boards in South Carolina. Some counties, like Anderson and Spartanburg, also have a County Board of Education. These boards serve in counties that have multiple school districts. Most counties have done away with county boards of education. 606 Chapter 22 South Carolina Government

3 Financing Government Most of the revenue received by the state comes from several kinds of taxes. The largest source of revenue is from the individual income tax. Corporations that operate in South Carolina also pay a tax on their income. The second-largest source of tax revenue is the sales and use tax, which is charged on items as they are purchased. Other taxes that provide revenue for the state include a motor fuel tax, an admissions tax, an electric power tax, an estate tax, and a forest renewal tax. The state also receives revenue from fees, interest on the investment of idle funds, and federal grants and matching funds. Local governments in South Carolina (counties, cities, and school districts) get most of their revenue from property taxes on real and personal property (cars, boats, trailers, and so on). A homestead exemption excuses a portion of the value of a home from the property tax for certain individuals. The greatest portion of state revenues is spent on education. Other expenditures include public welfare, health programs, highways, police protection and correctional institutions, parks and recreation, administration, and interest on the state debt. The Role of Citizenship in Government A citizen is a person who is entitled to the rights and protection of a particular country. People become citizens of the United States by being born here or being born to parents who are American citizens living outside the country. For example, a child born to parents who are serving in the military in Panama is an American citizen. Persons from other countries can become American citizens through a process called naturalization. To become a naturalized citizen, a person must denounce allegiance to her or his home country, pledge allegiance to the United States, learn to speak English, reside in this country for five years, and pass an examination. A naturalized citizen has the rights and privileges of any American citizen except he or she may not become president. Citizenships Rights Citizens have certain rights granted through the U.S. Constitution and each state constitution. Most of these rights are described in the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution and in Article I of the South Carolina constitution. These rights include religious freedom, freedom of speech, the right of assembly and petition, the right to bear arms, and certain property rights. The Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution also states that citizens have Above: People can obtain U.S. citizenship through a process called naturalization. These children are wearing the traditional dress of their native countries at a naturalization ceremony. Section 2 Local Government and Citizenship 607

4 Figure 37 South Carolina Voter Qualifications South Carolina state law requires that a person register in order to vote. Every person who meets the following qualifications can register to vote. 1. A person must be a citizen of the United States. 2. A person must be at least eighteen years old on or before the next election. 3. A person must be a resident of South Carolina and of a county and voting precinct. 4. A person must not be mentally incompetent or have been convicted of a felony. equal protection under the law. This means that no state can apply the law differently simply because of a person s race or sex. Citizens who are accused of crimes also have protections. They cannot be held indefinitely without being charged with a crime. They have a right to be informed of the charges against them, a right to an attorney, a right to confront their accusers, and a right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury. Citizenship Responsibilities Along with rights come certain responsibilities such as voting, obeying laws, serving on juries, paying taxes, staying informed, and getting involved. Statewide in 2004, about 74 percent of the voting age population actually registered to vote. Of those registered to vote in the November 2004 election, only about 70 percent actually bothered to vote. This means that about 52 percent of the potential voters determine who is elected. These voting statistics are for a year in which there was a presidential election; statewide offyear elections have lower registration and voting percentages. Low voter turnout at elections is a serious concern today. Many people fear that democratic government will not last if so few people are concerned enough about issues and individuals to vote. Some people fear that government will be taken over by wealthy interests who have only their self-interest at heart. Effective, democratic state government needs voters who are interested in the common good. Laws are rules created by federal, state, and local governments to provide order to our society. Without laws, there would be chaos and anarchy. Citizens have a responsibility to obey the law for the good of the whole. The money to fund governments generally comes from taxes. Citizens have a responsibility to pay their fair share of taxes. The average South 608 Chapter 22 South Carolina Government Did Did You You Know?If Know? Know? you are a registered voter and you cannot go to the polls to vote on election day, you may be eligible to vote using an absentee ballot.

5 Carolina family will pay federal income tax, state income tax, social security and Medicare taxes, sales taxes, local property tax, and other state and local taxes. As long as citizens demand services, there will be taxes. Citizens should monitor the way governments spend money to ensure that their tax dollars are used wisely. For a democratic government to function property, citizens have a responsibility to stay informed. Citizens can stay informed by reading newspapers, listening to radio, watching television, attending or following the proceedings of government meetings, and talking with other informed citizens. Staying informed enables each citizen to form opinions about government actions. Public opinion is often influenced by special interest groups and political action committees. While special interest groups help officials understand how laws and regulations affect their membership, some people believe they do more harm than good. Citizens in a democratic society have a responsibility to get involved in public affairs. Citizens can get involved by helping candidates run for public office, running for public office themselves, participating in community service activities, serving in the military, debating public issues, and volunteering their time to civic groups. Writing elected officials, attending public hearings, and participating in peaceful demonstrations are additional ways citizens can be involved. A good citizen cares about the welfare of her or his town or community. Democratic government works best when its citizens are involved. Government and Political Parties The South Carolina constitution does not mention political parties. Yet, they are essential to effective, democratic government. In South Carolina, as in other states, political parties listen to the state s citizens, determine the issues voters want addressed, and then work to elect their candidates to office. Once in office, members of political parties try to enact laws or policies that a majority of the voters want. Politicians thus try to do things that will keep them in office. The governor is the leader of his or her party. As the leader, the governor selects the state party chairperson and can name party members to appointive state offices. The governor can also further the party s priorities by telling the General Assembly what laws he or she wants passed and by requesting from the General Assembly funds for favorite projects. Did You intimidating, Know?Threatening, or abusing voters is considered a Class E felony with a sentence of not more than 10 years. Above: The sheriff s patrol car is parked outside of the Barnwell County Courthouse. Your tax dollars support the sheriff as well as the courthouse. Section 2 Local Government and Citizenship 609

6 SSSSSSSSS The Art of Politics Cartoonist Thomas Nast developed the symbols for both the Republican and the Democratic parties. In 1874, Nast drew an elephant (above) to symbolize the size of the Republican party.?did You Know? Husbands and wives cannot vote together in the same voting booth. Political parties have great influence in the General Assembly. Each party s legislators hold caucuses (meetings) to elect the speaker of the house and the president pro tem of the senate. Party caucuses are also used to influence the appointment of committee chairpersons, the assignment of legislators to committees, and the laws that are passed. It s Your Turn 1. Name three types of local government. 2. What are three responsibilities all citizens have? 3. What is a naturalized citizen? 610 Chapter 22 South Carolina Government

7 Discovering South Carolina Disaster Relief An earthquake strikes Charleston in Who pays to repair the damages? A hurricane strikes in 1893; again, who pays for the damages? For many years the simple answer to that question was the individual or a local charity. There was no help from either the state government or the federal government. Today things are different. When an earthquake, ice storm, tornado, hurricane, or other natural disaster strikes part of our state, disaster relief is available. The relief is part of the services that governments now provide. For the relief to become available, the governor must declare the area a disaster area. Once that occurs, the president usually releases federal aid to the state. The National Guard may be called into action if the damage is truly significant, but the most important piece to disaster relief is the arrival of FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA is then responsible for helping people apply for aid, which may be in the form of grants, but is usually low interest loans. Disaster relief has been needed in South Carolina several times in the last twenty years. In 1989, after Hurricane Hugo slammed the state, disaster relief was slow in coming, and FEMA was criticized for its slow response to the South Carolina residents who lost homes and personal belongings to the 135 miles per hour winds and the 20-foot storm surge. The storm caused over $6.1 billion of damage when the value of Above: These National Guardsmen are surveying the damage caused by Hurricane Hugo. the timber that was damaged or destroyed was added in. The damage in McClellanville and Murrell s Inlet was significant, and the residents of these and other affected areas needed help to recover. Home and business owners received financial assistance through FEMA and other assistance agencies and by 1992 most of the storm damage was repaired. Disaster relief was needed again in 1999 after Hurricane Floyd dumped several inches of rain on the coastal area causing flooding. During the winter of 2004, a major ice storm ravaged the state, damaging homes, knocking out power, and destroying trees. And, during the summer and fall of 2004, the state was hit with a tropical storm as well as the remnants of several hurricanes that hit Florida. In one day over forty tornadoes swept across South Carolina. FEMA was prepared to help the state in the summer of 2004 but when they surveyed the damage, the damage was not significant enough to warrant much federal aid. Some low cost loans were made available, but widespread disaster relief was not necessary. While governments assist with disaster relief today, charities and organizations like the Red Cross and Salvation Army provide relief, too. But when a major disaster happens, many citizens will benefit from the actions of FEMA and the aid provided through the government. Let s hope the relief is not needed very often. Section 2 Local Government and Citizenship 611