Comparative Study of State and Local Governments

Comparative Study of State and Local Governments

Case Study 1 - Examination of Direct Democracy- Government of California

California is distinguishable in several ways from the other state governments, amongst which the most prominent one is that its State Constitution has three types of direct democracies written into it. According to these, the public may withdraw laws that the Legislature formulates, pass the Governor and recommend new laws, and also confiscate the elected officials straight away from the office, by passing the impeachment process and the Legislature. The three types of direct democracy include the initiative, the referendum, and the recall; amongst which the most frequently used so far is the initiative form. Nevertheless, quite a number of years back, Gov. Gray Davis was recalled by the recall process. In every election, the ballots of the public have numerous of such recommendations. The campaigns for as well as in opposition to them most frequently entail more money than several elective office campaigns. These are numbered plainly, and the numbering starts all over again once in a while.

The call for a government is ascertained by the preferences of the voters as well as electoral rules that define constituency. The provision of services by the government is wrought by the governing laws of the political process, like if the citizens may influence directly to the political judgments by means of initiatives or referendums. California has 58 counties that are responsible for the provision of police services in the areas that are unincorporated, operating a jail, overseeing public education, prosecuting criminal defendants, and provision for public health. These counties have taxing power, and also they have the power to create particular districts and annex the unincorporated regions to cities in the proximity of the county with the help of their Local Agency Formation Commission. The county works for the unincorporated regions as the municipal government. Children are provided with public education in district schools that are administered autonomously from the various cities of California. The municipalities of California are either general law or charter. The charter municipalities can possess raised powers however the amendment and adoption of a city charter needs a prevalent vote. The general law municipalities possess powers that are describes by the government code of the state.

California is one amongst the most pro choice states all over the country. While the legislature provides tremendous rights for choosing and civil rights, the governor has a lot of power and influence over the enforcement, strengthening or weakening of the laws. The governor of the California has the power to veto or sign the legislation and establish agendas for policy, to grant the expenditure of funds, to appoint the policymakers and judges and also to organize the agencies which implement the legislation.

The referendum and initiative forms of direct democracy are used to tie the legislator's hands by means of expenditure limitations and tax, allocation of funds for particular purposes, referendum necessities on tax increases and debt issues, institution of ...