State Governments Help Their People
State governments manage services and laws that affect everyone living within a state, from highways and universities to environmental regulations and voting rules. In Grade 3 social studies, students learn that each US state has its own government led by a governor and state legislature, which creates laws and provides services for state residents. This concept is explored in Social Studies Alive! Our Community and Beyond in the context of understanding different levels of government. Knowing how state government works helps students understand who is responsible for the roads, schools, and laws they interact with in their daily lives.
Key Concepts
Each of the 50 states has its own government to take care of the people who live there. This state government makes rules and laws just for that state.
A governor is the elected leader of the state. The governor works with a group of lawmakers to make sure the state runs smoothly and its laws are fair.
Common Questions
What does state government do?
State governments manage roads and highways, fund public universities, regulate businesses, set education standards, run prisons, and provide social services for residents. States also run their own court systems and collect taxes to fund these services.
Who leads a state government?
Each state is led by a governor, who is the chief executive of the state. The state also has a legislature (usually divided into a Senate and House of Representatives) that makes state laws, and a state court system that interprets those laws.
What is the difference between state and local government?
State government manages issues across the entire state, like state highways, public universities, and statewide laws. Local government (city or county) handles issues specific to a smaller community, like local parks, fire departments, and local ordinances.
How are state government leaders chosen?
Governors and state legislators are elected by voters in the state. Most states hold state elections every two or four years. Citizens who are registered voters can cast ballots for the candidates they want to lead their state.
When do Grade 3 students learn about state government?
Grade 3 students learn about state government as part of their civics curriculum in Social Studies Alive! Our Community and Beyond, where they explore all three levels of US government: local, state, and federal.
What services does state government provide that affect daily life?
State government services that affect daily life include maintaining state highways and bridges, funding public schools and universities, operating state parks, providing unemployment insurance, and regulating safety standards for food, buildings, and workplaces.