“the government,” they mean the United States government, but we have three distinct levels of government in this country: national, state, and local. In our federal system of government, national, state, and local governments each have their areas of responsibility and authority. This section gives an overview of how these levels of government differ and how they relate to each other. Each federal, state, or local government has:

the responsibility to serve the best interests of the people in its jurisdiction,

the authority to make and enforce laws and to provide services to all those people, and

the authority to tax to raise funds to support its work.

the authority to make and enforce laws and to provide services to all those people, and

the authority to tax to raise funds to support its work.

Each government is governed by elected officials. Each type of government provides certain services, regulates certain kinds of activity, and undertakes programs to improve public well-being. Not all providers of drinking water, streets, or other community services are governments. In some neighborhoods, for example, home owners associations supply water and maintain the streets. Private associations like these are not governments, although they may seem like government in many ways. ]]> Slide 1 of ' + slideFW.pageCount + ''}]]> Slide ' + (slideFW.currentPage + 1) + ' of ' + slideFW.pageCount + '']]> ' + pageIcon.templateData.learningObject[0].slideshow[0].nestedPage[icon.parentNode.index() - 1].name + '
' + pageIcon.templateData.learningObject[0].slideshow[0].nestedPage[icon.parentNode.index() - 1].text}]]> ]]> tempIndex){ acc.customButtons[i]._y = acc.customButtons[0]._y + tempY + 21*i-1; } }]]> Explore the diagram. Click on the various parts to learn more.]]> ' + draw.currentShape.label + '
' + draw.currentShape.info); ]]> Drag the pins for each label to the correct position in the diagram. You can re-position the labels if required.]]> ' + tempLabel.txt.text + '
' + tempPG.info); fb.beginFill(0xFFFFCC,100); fb.lineStyle(1,0x333333,100); fb.drawRect(0,0,260,384 - fb._y); //flag for info tempPG.matched = true; }]]> ' + tempLabel.txt.text + '
' + tempPG.info); fb.lineStyle(0,0x }]]> Use the arrows to learn more.]]> ' + labels[acIndex].shape.label + '
' + labels[acIndex].shape.info); fb.beginFill(0xFFFFCC,100); fb.lineStyle(1,0x333333,100); fb.drawRect(0,0,260,474 - fb._y); ]]> ' + labels[acIndex].shape.label + '
' + labels[acIndex].shape.info); fb.beginFill(0xFFFFCC,100); fb.lineStyle(1,0x333333,100); fb.drawRect(0,0,260,474 - fb._y);]]> Question ' + quizDec.repCount + ' of ' + labels.length + ''}]]>
Move on to the next question."); for (i = 0; i < labels.length; i++){ if (labels[i].label == option){ labels[i].shape._alpha = 100; labels[i].shape.refreshShape(2,0x00FF00,100,0x00FF00,40); break; } } } op1.setEnabled(false); op2.setEnabled(false); op3.setEnabled(false); op4.setEnabled(false); btnCheck.setEnabled(false); btnNext.setEnabled(true); } else { feedback.setText("You haven't selected an option."); } ]]> Score
You scored ' + score + ' out of ' + icon.previousSibling.childNodes.length + ' in the quiz.

You can retake the quiz at any time.'}]]> maskW*1.25){ graphic._xscale *= 0.8; graphic._yscale *= 0.8; graphic._x += (graphic._width*1.25 - graphic._width) / 2; graphic._y += (graphic._height*1.25 - graphic._height) / 2; if (graphic._x > maskX){ graphic._x = maskX; } if (graphic._y > maskY){ graphic._y = maskY; } if (graphic._x + graphic._width < maskX + maskW){ graphic._x = maskX + maskW - graphic._width; } if (graphic._y + graphic._height < maskY + maskH){ graphic._y = maskY + maskH - graphic._height; } }]]> maskW * 1.25){ if (graphic._width > maskW * 1.25){ graphic._xscale *= 0.8; graphic._yscale *= 0.8; graphic._x += (graphic._width*1.25 - graphic._width) / 2; graphic._y += (graphic._height*1.25 - graphic._height) / 2; if (graphic._x > maskX){ graphic._x = maskX; } if (graphic._y > maskY){ graphic._y = maskY; } if (graphic._x + graphic._width < maskX + maskW){ graphic._x = maskX + maskW - graphic._width; } if (graphic._y + graphic._height < maskY + maskH){ graphic._y = maskY + maskH - graphic._height; } } } else if (mode == 'select'){ selecting = true; mouseX = mask._xmouse; mouseY = mask._ymouse; } ]]> 50 && Math.abs(mouseY - mask._ymouse) > 50){ scaleFactor = maskW / Math.abs(mask._xmouse - mouseX); graphic._x = maskX - (mouseX - graphic._x) * scaleFactor; graphic._y = maskY - (mouseY - graphic._y) * scaleFactor; //scale the image by maskW / selectW graphic._xscale *= scaleFactor; graphic._yscale *= scaleFactor; } } ]]> 50 && Math.abs(mouseY - mask._ymouse) > 50){ scaleFactor = maskW / Math.abs(mask._xmouse - mouseX); graphic._x = maskX - (mouseX - graphic._x) * scaleFactor; graphic._y = maskY - (mouseY - graphic._y) * scaleFactor; //scale the image by maskW / selectW graphic._xscale *= scaleFactor; graphic._yscale *= scaleFactor; } }]]> maskW*1.25){ graphic._xscale *= 0.8; graphic._yscale *= 0.8; graphic._x += (graphic._width*1.25 - graphic._width) / 2; graphic._y += (graphic._height*1.25 - graphic._height) / 2; if (graphic._x > maskX){ graphic._x = maskX; } if (graphic._y > maskY){ graphic._y = maskY; } if (graphic._x + graphic._width < maskX + maskW){ graphic._x = maskX + maskW - graphic._width; } if (graphic._y + graphic._height < maskY + maskH){ graphic._y = maskY + maskH - graphic._height; } }]]> maskW * 1.25){ if (graphic._width > maskW * 1.25){ graphic._xscale *= 0.8; graphic._yscale *= 0.8; graphic._x += (graphic._width*1.25 - graphic._width) / 2; graphic._y += (graphic._height*1.25 - graphic._height) / 2; if (graphic._x > maskX){ graphic._x = maskX; } if (graphic._y > maskY){ graphic._y = maskY; } if (graphic._x + graphic._width < maskX + maskW){ graphic._x = maskX + maskW - graphic._width; } if (graphic._y + graphic._height < maskY + maskH){ graphic._y = maskY + maskH - graphic._height; } } } else if (mode == 'select'){ selecting = true; mouseX = mask._xmouse; mouseY = mask._ymouse; } ]]> 50 && Math.abs(mouseY - mask._ymouse) > 50){ scaleFactor = maskW / Math.abs(mask._xmouse - mouseX); graphic._x = maskX - (mouseX - graphic._x) * scaleFactor; graphic._y = maskY - (mouseY - graphic._y) * scaleFactor; //scale the image by maskW / selectW graphic._xscale *= scaleFactor; graphic._yscale *= scaleFactor; } } ]]> 50 && Math.abs(mouseY - mask._ymouse) > 50){ scaleFactor = maskW / Math.abs(mask._xmouse - mouseX); graphic._x = maskX - (mouseX - graphic._x) * scaleFactor; graphic._y = maskY - (mouseY - graphic._y) * scaleFactor; //scale the image by maskW / selectW graphic._xscale *= scaleFactor; graphic._yscale *= scaleFactor; } }]]> ' + pageIcon.templateData.learningObject[0].links[0].link[icon.index()].name + '
' + pageIcon.templateData.learningObject[0].links[0].link[icon.index()].text + '
' + pageIcon.templateData.learningObject[0].links[0].link[icon.index()].url + ''}]]> Local State and Federal Government Further information can be found on page 2 of this module.]]> School of Government The Web site provides great information on ... The Web site provides great information on ...The Web site provides great information on ...The Web site provides great information on ...The Web site provides great information on ...]]> Additional Information ]]> ); panel.sendAndLoad(req, feedURL); ]]>

Wikipedia: " + pageIcon.templateData.learningObject[0].wiki[0].url + '

'; for (i = 0; i < arr.length; i++){ if (arr[i].firstChild.nodeType == 3); t += '' + arr[i] + '
'; } } t = replace(t, 'href="/', 'target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/'); t += '

Original article'; ]]> the responsibility to serve the best interests of the people in its jurisdiction,

the authority to make and enforce laws and to provide services to all those people, and

the authority to tax to raise funds to support its work.

Each government is governed by elected officials. Each type of government provides certain services, regulates certain kinds of activity, and undertakes programs to improve public well-being. Not all providers of drinking water, streets, or other community services are governments. In some neighborhoods, for example, home owners associations supply water and maintain the streets. Private associations like these are not governments, although they may seem like government in many ways. ]]> Explore the diagram. Click on the various parts to learn more.]]> ' + draw.currentShape.label + '
' + draw.currentShape.info); ]]> Drag the pins for each label to the correct position in the diagram. You can re-position the labels if required.]]> ' + tempLabel.txt.text + '
' + tempPG.info); fb.beginFill(0xFFFFCC,100); fb.lineStyle(1,0x333333,100); fb.drawRect(0,0,260,384 - fb._y); //flag for info tempPG.matched = true; }]]> ' + tempLabel.txt.text + '
' + tempPG.info); fb.lineStyle(0,0x }]]> Use the arrows to learn more.]]> ' + labels[acIndex].shape.label + '
' + labels[acIndex].shape.info); fb.beginFill(0xFFFFCC,100); fb.lineStyle(1,0x333333,100); fb.drawRect(0,0,260,474 - fb._y); ]]> ' + labels[acIndex].shape.label + '
' + labels[acIndex].shape.info); fb.beginFill(0xFFFFCC,100); fb.lineStyle(1,0x333333,100); fb.drawRect(0,0,260,474 - fb._y);]]> Local Governments Local, state, and federal governments each have separate areas of responsibility and authority. At the same time, they are linked together in many important ways. Understanding what local governments do often depends on knowing how they are related to state and federal governments. Local governments focus on local issues. Like other governments, they provide services, make and enforce laws, and collect taxes to support their work. Local governments also have the responsibility to serve and protect everyone in their jurisdiction. They also often undertake programs to improve the local community. In North Carolina, local governments can do only things the state government gives them authority to do. Thus, the state can also prevent local governments from doing things opposed to state policy. Often there is considerable overlap between local issues and broader interests. One town’s use of a river to carry away its wastewater can interfere with the use of that same river as a source of drinking water by towns downstream. Local governments often work closely together to deal with such problems. Most local governments in North Carolina participate in one of the sixteen regional councils in the state. Local governments join together in the Council of Governments in their area. They pay dues to support the work of the regional council and appoint representatives to meet to discuss problems they share and to work out ways to deal with those problems. For more information about the regional councils, access the North Carolina Association of Regional Councils website. Local governments also cooperate directly with each other. They usually have mutual aid agreements to help each other fight fires or deal with other emergencies. Often a county and the municipalities within it work together in various ways, including building libraries or parks, setting up recycling or economic development programs, planning and controlling land use, and collecting taxes. ]]> Each picture should have a caption]]> State and Federal Governments North Carolina state government also provides many services. It is responsible for building, maintaining, and policing the state’s highways. State government provides recreation opportunities in state parks, forests, and recreation areas. It helps people locate jobs and provides unemployment benefits to those who are unemployed. Among the state’s programs to improve the general well-being are recruitment of industry to the state, conducting agricultural research, and promotion of the arts. The state government makes the laws that define most crimes and many family and business relationships. It regulates such matters as insurance rates, waste disposal, and development along the North Carolina coast. The national (or “federal”) government makes laws and carries out policies that affect the entire country. The United States Constitution, for example, applies to all residents of the United States and to all governments in the United States. State and local governments may not pass or enforce laws that contradict the Constitution. For example, the Constitution requires that state and local governments provide “equal protection under the law” to all people. ]]> Each picture should have a caption]]> tempIndex){ acc.customButtons[i]._y = acc.customButtons[0]._y + tempY + 21*i-1; } }]]> HOAs provide a way for residents of an area to have more or different services if they are willing and able to pay for them.

All adult citizens who are residents of a local government can vote for that local government’s governing board. Typically only people who own property in an HOA neighborhood can vote for HOA board members. Those who own more property often have more votes.

Local governments must respect residents’ Constitutional rights to speech, petition, equal treatment, and due process. As private organizations, HOAs are not subject to those restrictions.

Local governments must follow state laws regarding public access to their meetings and records, the handling of public money, and the services and actions they can take. Those laws do not apply to HOAs, which are private corporations.

Local governments must respect residents’ Constitutional rights to speech, petition, equal treatment, and due process. As private organizations, HOAs are not subject to those restrictions.

'; } } } ]]> ' + t}]]> HOAs provide a way for residents of an area to have more or different services if they are willing and able to pay for them.

Local governments must respect residents’ Constitutional rights to speech, petition, equal treatment, and due process. As private organizations, HOAs are not subject to those restrictions.

Developers create HOAs when they subdivide land. They place covenants and other restrictions on the land when they record the new lots at the county’s register of deeds office. Whoever buys one of those lots becomes member of the HOA and agrees to abide by the HOA’s rules. Developers also often deed some of the land to the HOA: streets and sidewalks, parks and greenways, and other spaces the residents use together. These are not public streets or parks or other places, however. They are the private property of the home owners’ association, although the HOA may permit public use. Similarly, developers may install private water or sewer systems that become the property of the HOA. The HOA may be responsible for solid waste collection, as well as for maintenance of the streets and other HOA property. ]]> Feedback
' + fb;]]> Each citizen in the United States is also a citizen of the state and county where he or she lives.]]> maskW*1.25){ graphic._xscale *= 0.8; graphic._yscale *= 0.8; graphic._x += (graphic._width*1.25 - graphic._width) / 2; graphic._y += (graphic._height*1.25 - graphic._height) / 2; if (graphic._x > maskX){ graphic._x = maskX; } if (graphic._y > maskY){ graphic._y = maskY; } if (graphic._x + graphic._width < maskX + maskW){ graphic._x = maskX + maskW - graphic._width; } if (graphic._y + graphic._height < maskY + maskH){ graphic._y = maskY + maskH - graphic._height; } }]]> maskW * 1.25){ if (graphic._width > maskW * 1.25){ graphic._xscale *= 0.8; graphic._yscale *= 0.8; graphic._x += (graphic._width*1.25 - graphic._width) / 2; graphic._y += (graphic._height*1.25 - graphic._height) / 2; if (graphic._x > maskX){ graphic._x = maskX; } if (graphic._y > maskY){ graphic._y = maskY; } if (graphic._x + graphic._width < maskX + maskW){ graphic._x = maskX + maskW - graphic._width; } if (graphic._y + graphic._height < maskY + maskH){ graphic._y = maskY + maskH - graphic._height; } } } else if (mode == 'select'){ selecting = true; mouseX = mask._xmouse; mouseY = mask._ymouse; } ]]> 50 && Math.abs(mouseY - mask._ymouse) > 50){ scaleFactor = maskW / Math.abs(mask._xmouse - mouseX); graphic._x = maskX - (mouseX - graphic._x) * scaleFactor; graphic._y = maskY - (mouseY - graphic._y) * scaleFactor; //scale the image by maskW / selectW graphic._xscale *= scaleFactor; graphic._yscale *= scaleFactor; } } ]]> 50 && Math.abs(mouseY - mask._ymouse) > 50){ scaleFactor = maskW / Math.abs(mask._xmouse - mouseX); graphic._x = maskX - (mouseX - graphic._x) * scaleFactor; graphic._y = maskY - (mouseY - graphic._y) * scaleFactor; //scale the image by maskW / selectW graphic._xscale *= scaleFactor; graphic._yscale *= scaleFactor; } }]]> Slide 1 of ' + slideFW.pageCount + ''}]]> Slide ' + (slideFW.currentPage + 1) + ' of ' + slideFW.pageCount + '']]> ' + pageIcon.templateData.learningObject[0].slideshow[0].nestedPage[icon.parentNode.index() - 1].name + '
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