Utah’s Constitution

and Government

What does a Constitution do?

•A constitution tells us how our government

works and how to make laws!

Separation of Powers

• When the United States Constitution was written, the Framers were worried about governments that became too powerful.

• The U.S. Constitution gives each branch of government its own specific powers and responsibilities.– Each branch “checks and balances” the

others to make sure no branch gets too powerful.

Separation of Powers

How does Utah’s Constitution relate to the United States’ Constitution?

• The Utah Constitution, though written more than 100 years later, is based on the U.S. Constitution.– The Utah Constitution is basically a fun-sized

version of the U.S. Constitution!U.S. Constitution Utah Constitution

Legislative Branch• Makes the laws• The State Legislature is made up of two houses

– the House of Representatives and the Senate.• A legislator is someone who has been elected to

serve in the Legislature– There are 75 Representatives in the Utah House.– There are 29 Senators in the Utah Senate.

Utah House• Why are some districts so

small?

• Why are some districts so large?

• Each district represents around 38,000 people.

Utah Senate

• Each Senate district represents around 100,000 people.

Making laws• Representative serve for 2 years; Senators for 4

years.• A bill is a written proposal for a law.

– Any citizen of Utah can submit a bill to the Legislature.

• Each Legislator is assigned to committees that study bills.o Committees act like filters to make sure that only the

best bills use the whole houses’ time.

Filter

Legislative Branch continued

• If the bill passes a committee, the whole house will vote on it.

• Both houses have to approve the same bill with more than half the legislators voting for it for a bill to proceed.– If it doesn’t pass, the bill’s supporters can try

again next year.– If it does pass, it is sent to the governor’s

office.

Executive Branch• Enforces the law• The governor leads the Executive Branch.• What does the governor do?

– commands the National Guard– day to day business of the State– presents bills to the legislature– calls the Legislature for a special session

when necessary– signs (approves) or vetoes (rejects) bills– pardon (forgive and free) people convicted of

crimes

Executive Branch Continued• There are many other Executive

departments that make sure we are safe and protected.–Department of Public Safety (and

the Utah Highway Patrol)–Department of Agriculture and Food–Department of Health

• Utah’s current governor is Gary Herbert.

• Which, yes, does kind of rhyme with sherbet.

Judicial Branch• Interpret the laws• The Supreme Court leads the judicial branch.• Made up of city, county, state, and federal

courts.• Courts main job in government is to determine

whether a law is constitutional.– A law is unconstitutional if it disagrees with the

Constitution.– They study the law and the Constitution to make sure they

agree.– Example: In the 1950s in Topeka, Kansas, schools were

segregated.• Segregation is when students of different races attend

different schools.

Judicial Branch

– The Supreme Court of the USA decided that it was unconstitutional and said that students all have to be together for schools to be fair.

• Courts are also in charge of deciding whether a law has been broken. (Criminal Cases)

• They also handle disagreements between people as well. (Civil cases) – like lawsuits

Checks and Balances

• Checks and balances means that each branch has a way to keep the others in control (check) so the power always balances out.

• If the Governor does not like a law the Legislature has passed, he can veto that law.

• In return, if at least 2/3 of both Houses of the Legislature votes for a law, it cannot be vetoed.

Checks and Balances

• The Supreme Court decides whether or not a law is constitutional.

• The Legislature can amend the Constitution (with the help of the people in a vote) to change the Constitution.

• The Governor can pardon people he thinks have been convicted unfairly.

Government Chart

• Executive Branch

• Enforce the laws

• Governor

• President

Government Chart

• Legislative Branch

• Make the laws

• Legislature

• Congress

Government Chart

• Judicial Branch

• Interpret the laws

• Supreme Court

• Supreme Court