TEXT 1: STATE CONSTITUTIONS

Every state has its own written constitu­tion. There, the fundamental laws of the state are described. Fundamental laws are the basic laws by which a state is governed.

PRINCIPLES. Many of the basic prin­ciples found in state constitutions are similar. In fact, most of these principles are the same as those found in the Constitution of the United States. Each state constitution, for example, is based on the ideas of popular sovereignty and limited government. Each state constitution also sets up a government of three branches, using the ideas of separation of powers and checks and balances. All of this is to assure that the states, like the national government, will have a democratic form of government in which the people rule.

CONTENTS. Most state constitutions begin with a preamble, or introduction. This describes the purpose of the document.

The preamble usually is followed by a bill of rights, sometimes called a declaration of rights. The bill of rights lists the rights guaranteed to citizens of the state. Many of the rights listed are similar to those found in the national Constitution. Freedom of religion, speech, and the press are listed, for example. Some state constitutions also list other rights that are important to the people of that state. One constitution even lists the right to fish in public waters.

Following the bill of rights, state consti­tutions outline the basic organization of the state's government. Each constitution sets up a government of three branches-legislative, executive, and judicial. Unlike the national Constitution, most state constitutions describe each branch in great detail.

Most state constitutions also deal with many other subjects. Among these are laws to govern the state's local governments. Voting and election laws,, laws dealing with govern­ment finance, and guidelines for public education and other state programs often are included, as well. And, of course, all state constitutions describe how the document itself can be changed.

CHANGES. It is important that every state constitution can be amended, or changed. One reason this is true is simply to keep the documents up-to-date. Many state constitutions are quite old. Almost half of the states today have constitutions that were written over 100 years ago. To stay current, many states have amended their constitutions several times over the years. New York, for example, has amended its constitution almost 200 times.

Date: 2015-01-12; view: 1377