Chapter 16: Florida State
and Local Government
Section 1: Florida: The Sunshine State
Section 2: Florida State Government
Section 3: Florida Local Government
Florida: The Sunshine State
Reading Focus
Florida’s story is one of transformation. Once a land of dense
swamps and forests with a sparse population, today Florida has
a diverse economy and is home to nearly 20 million people.
The Growth of Florida
Early Florida
• Paleo-Indians arrived at least
Spanish and British Florida
12,000 years ago.
• Village, mound, and pottery
building during Archaic period.
• Many groups present in 1513
when Europeans arrived.
• Spain beat France for control of
Florida.
• Britain controlled Florida from
1763–1783.
• Florida officially ceded to the
United States in 1821.
Florida through 1900
Modern Florida
• White settlement increased after
1822.
• Few Native Americans remained
after 2nd Seminole War (1835–42).
• Population increased tenfold from
statehood to 1900 census.
• Railroad development sparked a
land boom during the 1920s.
• During and after WWII, people
flocked to Florida for jobs, climate.
• Today Florida ranks as one of the
most populous states.
Florida Government before Statehood
• Native American groups did not have defined boundaries.
Rather, each group had a sphere of influence. The
largest belonged to the Apalachee, the Timucua, and the
Calusa.
• Spain governed Florida from 1513 to 1763. In 1763 Spain
traded Florida to Britain. Britain divided Florida into East
and West, and ruled until 1783. Spain governed Florida
again from 1783 to 1821.
• Spain ceded Florida to the United States in 1821. Florida
became a territory the following year. In 1845, Florida
became a state.
Florida Government after Statehood
Florida remained a U.S. state for less than 16 years before it seceded
from the Union on January 10, 1861.
Florida Government through Reconstruction
• At the time of secession, Florida adopted a new constitution. Its main
purpose was to express that Florida had severed ties with the United States.
• Florida rejoined the Union in 1868 after a year under military rule.
• Florida’s Reconstruction government attempted reforms aimed at improving
the lives of African Americans.
Florida Government through the Civil Rights Era
• After 1877, Democrats regained control of Florida’s government and began
passing Jim Crow laws, or laws that enforced segregation.
• The Jim Crow era lasted through the first half of the twentieth century.
Florida Government after Statehood
Florida Government after 1968
• Federal civil rights legislation passed during the 1960s rendered laws and
constitutions obsolete and unenforceable in Florida and throughout the
South.
• The Florida Legislature proposed a new constitution during the summer of
1968 that was approved by Florida voters that Fall.
• Still in effect today, the Constitution of 1968 established a government
befitting a modern state with an increasingly diverse population and
economy.
Current Issues in Florida Government
Current Issues in Florida include:
• Population Growth—how to provide resources (e.g. water) and
services (e.g. roads and schools)
• Economy—how to reduce unemployment and support recovery in
the housing market
Tools for Monitoring Current Issues include:
• Online Sunshine State and other government Web sites
• email, text messaging
• the media, including newspapers, television, radio, blogs
Simulation (cont’d.)
The Situation
You will create the introduction to a book on citizenship in the United
States and Florida. All citizens have fundamental duties (such as
paying taxes) and responsibilities (such as voting).
Simulation (cont’d.)
The Situation
You will create the introduction to a book on citizenship in the United
States and Florida. All citizens have fundamental duties (such as
paying taxes) and responsibilities (such as voting).
Citizenship Hearings
Form three committees that will meet to discuss duties and
responsibilities of citizens.
Simulation (cont’d.)
The Situation
You will create the introduction to a book on citizenship in the United
States and Florida. All citizens have fundamental duties (such as
paying taxes) and responsibilities (such as voting).
Citizenship Hearings
Form three committees that will meet to discuss duties and
responsibilities of citizens.
Presentation of Findings
The committees will present their findings in a class council meeting.
As a class, the council will answer questions that will become the
introduction to the handbook.
Section 2 at a Glance
Florida State Government
• Florida’s 2010 Gubernatorial Election Examine the
campaign and election of Florida’s forty-fifth governor,
Rick Scott.
• Learn about how the powers of Florida’s state government are
spread among its three branches. See how the legislative,
executive, and judicial branches function.
• Deciding a Case in State Court Use your knowledge to
simulate the judicial decision-making process in Florida’s state
court system.
Florida State Government
Reading Focus
Florida’s state government is divided into legislative, executive,
and judicial branches. Each branch has specific powers as well
as checks on the powers of the other branches. The state
government collects a variety of taxes to pay for the many
services it provides.
Florida’s 2010 Gubernatorial Election
The Candidates
• Alex Sink (D)—businesswoman turned politician; was Florida’s CFO
at the time of the election
• Rick Scott (R)—businessman, Florida governorship the first public
office for which he had ever run
Florida’s 2010 Gubernatorial Election
The Candidates
• Alex Sink (D)—businesswoman turned politician; was Florida’s CFO
at the time of the election
• Rick Scott (R)—businessman, Florida governorship the first public
office for which he had ever run
The Campaign
• Rick Scott had a decisive financial
advantage.
• At least $45 million spent by both
candidates on aggressive
television advertising.
• Jobs and the economy were the
major issues of the election.
Florida’s 2010 Gubernatorial Election
The Candidates
• Alex Sink (D)—businesswoman turned politician; was Florida’s CFO
at the time of the election
• Rick Scott (R)—businessman, Florida governorship the first public
office for which he had ever run
The Campaign
The Results
• Rick Scott had a decisive financial
advantage.
• The race was a toss-up right up to
election day.
• With over 5 million votes cast, Rick
Scott bested Alex Sink by roughly
67,000 votes, making him the fortyfifth governor of Florida.
• At least $45 million spent by both
candidates on aggressive
television advertising.
• Jobs and the economy were the
major issues of the election.
The Florida Constitution
• Florida’s constitution establishes the fundamental laws
of the state. Fundamental laws are the foundations of
government. They are distinct from statutory laws, which
are detailed and specific laws passed by a legislature.
• The current Florida Constitution was enacted in 1968.
• The document is organized into 12 articles, each of which
fulfills a specific purpose.
• Article I is called the Declaration of Rights. It guarantees
basic rights and freedoms for all Floridians.
Florida’s Legislative Branch
The Florida Legislature is a bicameral, or two-house, legislature,
which consists of the state’s House of Representatives and Senate.
Florida’s Legislative Branch
The Florida Legislature is a bicameral, or two-house, legislature,
which consists of the state’s House of Representatives and Senate.
Composition and Membership
• Florida is divided into 120 state
house districts and 40 state senate
districts.
• Districts are single-member districts
based on population.
• Legislators must be at least 21
years old and reside in their district.
• Terms: House–2 yrs; Senate–4 yrs
• Salary: $29,697, plus $133 per diem
Florida’s Legislative Branch
The Florida Legislature is a bicameral, or two-house, legislature,
which consists of the state’s House of Representatives and Senate.
Composition and Membership
• Florida is divided into 120 state
house districts and 40 state senate
districts.
• Districts are single-member districts
based on population.
• Legislators must be at least 21
years old and reside in their district.
• Terms: House–2 yrs; Senate–4 yrs
• Salary: $29,697, plus $133 per diem
Session and Powers
• Legislature meets annually
beginning in March. Regular
session is 60 days.
• Chief legislative power is
developing the laws of the state,
including assessing taxes and
approving or withholding money
for the state budget.
• Legislative checks include
confirmation and impeachment
power.
Florida’s Executive Branch
Governor and Lieutenant Governor
• Must be at least 30 years old and a 7-year resident of Florida.
• Governor limited to serving no more than two consecutive full terms of four
years each.
• Oversees execution of Florida’s laws. Assisted by Lieutenant Governor
and more than 30 executive agencies.
• May strike specific parts of appropriations bills with line-item veto.
• May use executive clemency to reprieve, commute, pardon.
Other Executive Offices
• Attorney general—Florida’s top legal officer
• Chief financial officer—manages state funds, pays bills and employees
• Commissioner of agriculture—oversees all agriculture-related issues in the
state
Florida’s Judicial Branch
The Court System
• County courts—limited
jurisdiction; minor crimes, traffic
violations, civil matters <$15k
• Circuit courts—general
jurisdiction; most civil and
criminal cases; county appeals
• District courts of appeal—
five courts; hear most appeals;
determine if mistakes were
made in the original trial
• Supreme court—highest court
of appeal; court chooses which
cases to hear, except capital
cases and some others
Florida’s Judicial Branch
The Court System
• County courts—limited
jurisdiction; minor crimes, traffic
violations, civil matters <$15k
• Circuit courts—general
jurisdiction; most civil and
criminal cases; county appeals
• District courts of appeal—
five courts; hear most appeals;
determine if mistakes were
made in the original trial
• Supreme court—highest court
of appeal; court chooses which
cases to hear, except capital
cases and some others
Qualifications, Terms,
and Selection of Judges
• All judges must be registered
Florida voters and residents of
the area served by the court.
Also, must be members of the
state bar (10 yrs for supreme
court and 5 yrs all others).
• County and circuit court judges
directly elected. District and
supreme court judges appointed
first, then retained or rejected in
a retention election.
Paying for Florida’s Government
Florida’s State Budget
• Governor and Office of Policy and Budget create a budget proposal
• When satisfied, the governor presents the budget to the legislature in
the form of a bill.
• Both houses separately debate, amend, and pass a budget bill.
Differences are reconciled in committee, and a final bill is returned to
the governor.
• The governor signs the bill or uses the line-item veto.
• Florida’s budget is based on two main revenue sources: sales taxes
and funds from the federal government.
• Florida’s two largest expenditures are education and health & human
services.
Simulation
Upholding Florida Law
Will the county court find the defendant guilty?
In Florida, as in every state, it is generally illegal
for anybody under the age of 21 to possess and
consume alcohol. Yet each year underage
individuals do possess and consume alcohol. Use
what you have learned to decide a case in state
court about an underage person who was caught
with alcohol.
Simulation (cont’d.)
The Situation
On a recent Friday night, 18-year old high school senior Mike
Major was pulled over for speeding. As the sheriff’s deputy
approached Mike’s car, he noticed two cases of beer in the
back seat. Then when the officer asked for Mike’s
identification, Mike accidentally gave the officer two—his real
one, and a fake one that misrepresented Mike’s age! Seeing
two major violations of the law, the officer placed Mike under
arrest. Two months later, Mike’s day in court has finally
arrived.
Section 3 at a Glance
Florida Local Government
• Resource Management in Florida Cities Explore how two
Florida cities are coping with limited resources.
• Learn about how Florida’s local governments function and
provide services to their citizens. Examine how local
governments pay for the services they provide.
• Conducting the City’s Business Use your knowledge to
debate the issues and make decisions at a fictionalized city
council meeting.
Resource Management in Florida Cities
Water Management
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
• Most of the water in Florida is not
suitable for drinking or irrigation.
• Resources are available in limited
supply, and supplies are becoming
more limited due to heavy use.
• Floridians draw most of their water
from aquifers, or water stored in
underground rock.
• The Floridan Aquifer is the largest
source of water in Florida.
However, usage often exceeds
replenishment.
• Orlando has implemented water
usage restrictions that have
reduced the city’s withdrawals from
the Floridan Aquifer.
• Fortunately, many items can be
reused or recycled into other
products.
• Many local governments in Florida
have established recycling
programs.
• Fort Lauderdale provides recycling
opportunities to residents and
tourists. Residents are provided with
bins for recycling at home. Tourists
can use public recycling containers.
Local Government Types
Counties
• Florida’s 67 counties
are the most basic unit
of local government in
the state.
• Most Florida counties
are governed by an
elected board of
county
commissioners, which
serves the legislative
and executive functions
of the county.
Local Government Types
Counties
Municipalities
• Florida’s 67 counties
are the most basic unit
of local government in
the state.
• Most Floridians also live
in a municipality,
which is a city, town, or
village with a local
government authorized
by the state.
• Most Florida counties
are governed by an
elected board of
county
commissioners, which
serves the legislative
and executive functions
of the county.
• Municipalities are
created through a
process called
incorporation.
• The three systems of
municipal government
are the mayor-council
system, the councilmanager system, and
the commission system.
Local Government Types
Counties
Municipalities
Special Districts
• Florida’s 67 counties
are the most basic unit
of local government in
the state.
• Most Floridians also live
in a municipality,
which is a city, town, or
village with a local
government authorized
by the state.
• Florida also has
special district
governments that are
created to oversee one
or more functions that
typically cross town,
city, or county
boundaries.
• Most Florida counties
are governed by an
elected board of
county
commissioners, which
serves the legislative
and executive functions
of the county.
• Municipalities are
created through a
process called
incorporation.
• The three systems of
municipal government
are the mayor-council
system, the councilmanager system, and
the commission system.
• Many special districts
are governed by a
board made up of
members from each
participating county and
municipality.
Local Government Services
• Florida’s local governments provide many essential services,
including: local streets, water, wastewater, trash collection, public
schools, parks, and libraries.
• In Florida, as in other states, the costliest service provided by local
government is public education. In 2008 Florida’s local governments
spent over $30 billion on education, a figure that represents about
one-third of local government spending.
• Local governments also provide for public welfare and safety by
providing public health departments, ambulance services, police
forces, jails, and fire protection.