| A | B |
|---|
| Preamble to the NC Constitution | A single sentence that explains the purpose of the NC Constitution |
| Popular sovereignty | Doctirne that the government is created by and subject the the will of the people |
| Limited Government | Doctrine that governemnt is limited to preserve the liberty of citizens |
| Separation of Powers | Authority and responsibility divided among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches |
| Checks and Balances | Each branch may block the actions of the other branches |
| Declaration of Rights | Declares "essential principles of liberty and free governemnt be recognized and established" |
| Amendment Process | Process to make necessary changes to the NC Constitution |
| Charters | A written document establishing state and local governements |
| Incorportaion | A locality with an officially organized government |
| NC General Assembly | State's legislative body comprised of NC House of Representatives and NC Senate |
| Governor | State's highest executive office |
| Lieutenant Governor | States's second-highest executive office |
| Council of State | Advisors to the governor; serves the same function as a President's Cabinet |
| County | 100 political divisions within NC, largest political subdivision of a state |
| City | A municipal government |
| Special Districts | Provide specialized services paid for by citizens of the district |
| Township | A subdivision of a county |
| Metropolitian | A large city with surrounding municipaliies that function togerther. Ex: Charlotte-Metrolina |
| Mayor | Elected leader of the executive branch of a city governemt |
| Sheriff | Elected leader of the executive branch of county law enforcement |
| Chief of Police | Commanding officer of the city's police department |
| County Commissioners | Legislative body for a county |
| Alderman | Represent city districts and work with the mayor to run city governments |
| Statutes | Laws created by NC legislative branch |
| Ordinances/Local Law | Regulation or local law enacted by a city government. |
| Judges | Decide cases brought before courts of justice. |
| Register of Deeds | Elected county official that manages public records such as deeds, birth certificates, licenses |
| Board of Education | Oversees state educational requirements on the local level |
| Charter Schools | Schools receiving state funding, excused from many reguations to encourage innvovation |
| School Busing | Used to insure desegregation and diversity in schools |
| Health Department | Provides health screenings, immunizations, vaccinations |
| Transportation Department | Maintains county and state roads |
| Intiative | Politicla means for the people to vote on an issue |
| Referendum | Submitting a law to popular vote |
| Redistricing | To redraw districts to reflect changes in population |
| Gerrymandering | Drawing voting districts based on race- unconstitutional- still exist |
| Recall | Election to remove someone from his or her political office |
| State v. Mann | Established supremacy of NC Supreme Court |
| Leandro v. NC | All NC children have a right to the "equal opportunity to receive a sound basic education" |
| Citizenship | Membership in society or political community |
| Civil Rights | Rights guaranteed by 14th Amendment and Civil Rights Act of 1964 |
| Voting Rights | Rights guaranteed by the 14th Amendment and Voting Rights Act of 1965 |
| Women's Rights | Rights guaranteed by the 19th Amendment |
| Taxes | Money paid to government by citizens for use by the government |
| State Income Tax | Tax on individual earnings (progressive) |
| Corporate Income Tax | Tax on profits of busineese |
| Sales Tax | Tax on the production or sale of most goods and services (Regressive) |
| Excise Tax | Tax on the production or sale of ceratin goods and services |
| Inheritance Taxes | Tax on property when it is inherited |
| Estate Tax | Tax on the estate of someone who has dies |
| Balanced Budget | State and local governments may not spend more money than they take in |
| Property Tax | Tax on real estate based on its value; a major source of county revenue |
| Municipal Bonds | A form of financing in which voters approve government for specific purposes |
| Federal Grants in Aid | Federal funds awarded to state and local government for speicific purposes |
| Annexation | Municipal government extend their legal control over surrounding areas |
| Lottery | Legalized games of chance used in NC to fun school construction and scholarships |
| User Rees | Payment for use of a public service |
| Impact Fees | Money develpers pay to cover costs of the effects of development on the community |
| Disposal Fees | Money charged by local governement to cover costs of the effects of deveopment on the community |
| Licenses | Grant premission for a fee. Ex: hunting, or getting married |
| Permits | Government authorization to prefrom an action, such as owing a gun |
| Fines | Monetary punishment, usually for smaller legal infractions |
| Budgets | List of revenues and expenditures |
| State and Local Spending | Costs of Human Services, Education, Highway maintenance, Police protection |
| Community Colleges | Public colleges that offer 1 and 2 year degrees and certifications and worker retraining |
| Cooperative exension | Support state agricultural efforts on the local level |
| Court facilities | Criminal and Civil court facilities in county seats to implement justice for the state |
| Jails | Holding places for accused awaiting trail |
| Youth Detention Centers | Facilities that focus on the housing of juvenile offendders |
| Elections | Opportuities to elect officials and vote on referendums |
| Tax assessments | Official amount of tax owed, espeically property tax |
| Emergency Management | Respond to weather related or public satfey emergencies |
| Ambulance Services | Transport injured citizens to medical facilities |
| Public Utitities | Electricty, water, and sewer services for community paid for by citizens paying taxes |
| Social Services | Provides citizen welfare and child protection services to community |
| Public Health | and monitors public health concerns |
| Buses/Public Transit | Provides transportation within cities to relieve traffic congestion and support citizens |
| Mental Health Services | Provides outpatient screenings/treatment in coordincation with in-patient facilities |
| Soil and Water Conservation | Encourages responsible land use and erosion prevention policy |
| Airports | Manage air transportation on municipal or regional level |
| Art galleries and Musuems | Offer cultural and historical opportunites for citizens |
| Libraries | Offer books, media, and internet resources for community |
| Parks and Recreation Dept. | Offer fitness trails, youth sports, and green areas for citizens to enjoy |
