Congressional Quarterly's Desk Reference on the States

by Wetterau, Bruce

• ISBN13: 9781568024448
• ISBN10: 1568024444
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-09-01
• Publisher: Cq Pr

Summary

CQÆs Desk Reference on the States is the ideal reference source for all readers who want a better understanding of state government. The book covers more than 500 questions students and citizens are likely to ask about state government. Organized in sections on the governorship, legislature, and court systems as well as elections and basic functions, readers can find the information they seek via either the table of contents or through the detailed subject index. The bookÆs Q&A format make it an ideal volume to browse. Readers will be amazed at the variety of questions and answers that will help them to better understand their federal system in which the states play the key role. ''''''''

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
I The States	1	(33)
The States in History	1	(11)
Statehood	12	(4)
State Constitutions	16	(4)
States and the Union	20	(7)
District of Columbia	27	(2)
For the Record	29	(3)
Where Can I Find...	32	(2)
II Governorship	34	(34)
In General	34	(3)
Powers and Privileges	37	(7)
Getting Into and Out of Office	44	(5)
For the Record	49	(7)
Governors' Backgrounds	56	(2)
Lieutenant Governors	58	(2)
Attorneys General	60	(1)
Cabinet and Executive Branch	60	(5)
Where Can I Find...	65	(3)
III Legislatures	68	(39)
In General	68	(8)
Making Laws and Debating	76	(11)
Sessions and Votes	87	(1)
Committees and Caucuses	88	(2)
Members' Backgrounds	90	(1)
Arrivals and Departures	91	(3)
For the Record	94	(5)
Senate	99	(1)
House of Representatives	100	(2)
Lobbyists: The "Third" House	102	(2)
Where Can I Find...	104	(3)
IV Campaigns and Elections	107	(43)
In General	107	(6)
States and National Politics	113	(3)
State Parties and State Primaries	116	(11)
Gubernatorial Races	127	(6)
Legislative Races	133	(2)
Judicial Elections	135	(2)
For the Record	137	(4)
Petitions and Propositions	141	(3)
Campaign Finance	144	(2)
Where Can I Find...	146	(4)
V State Courts	150	(29)
In General	150	(4)
State and Federal Court Jurisdictions	154	(1)
State Supreme Court and Other Appellate Courts	155	(2)
Lower Courts	157	(1)
Stepping Up and Stepping Down from the Bench	158	(5)
Legal Terms and Procedures	163	(2)
For the Record	165	(1)
Supreme Court Tests of States' Powers	166	(9)
Where Can I Find...	175	(4)
VI State of the States	179	(67)
In General	179	(6)
Business and Labor	185	(7)
Crime and Criminal Justice	192	(9)
Education	201	(5)
Environment	206	(7)
Federal Aid to States	213	(4)
Health and Welfare	217	(9)
State Aid to Localities	226	(3)
Taxes and Spending	229	(10)
Transportation--Highways and Mass Transit	239	(4)
Where Can I Find...	243	(3)
VII What About My State?--The State Profiles	246	(59)
Subject Index	305	(15)
Name Index	320