Words to Know:
1. law: rules that everyone must follow
2. government: a group of people who make laws and provide services for a community, country, state, and provide services for a community, country, or state
3. town meeting: in some communities it is where people go to make decisions for the community
4. votes: to tell in some way what your choice is
5. elect: chosen by vote
6. mayor: a leader who helps make laws and also sees that these laws are carried out
7. council: a group of men and women who make laws and plans for the community
8. governor-is elected by the voters to be the most important leader in the state government. Each state has one governor. There are fifty governors in the United States. Our governor's name is Edward Rendell.
9. capital- The city where the government of a state is located. Our capital city is Harrisburg. Both Philadelphia and Lancaster have served as the capital of our state.
10. capitol- The BUILDING where the governor and other state leaders work. Our capitol is a historic treasure.
Community Laws: Some laws are the same in all communities, example- you must stop for a stop sign, you may not steal or litter. Other laws are different in different communities. For example, so towns allow dogs in community parks, others do not.
Community Services: Governments provide some services for people. These services include: road repair, rescue squad, park, fire department, schools, police, garbage pickup. These services are paid for with tax dollars.
Use your study sheet to help you remember examples of community laws, business, jobs, schools, and services.
Each of our fifty states has its own government. The governor is the most important leader in state government. Each state has a capital city where the government of the state is located. The governor and other state leaders work in the state capitol. The capitol is the building where they make laws and plans for the state.
Like a community, each state has laws that everyone must follow. They also collect taxes for services. These services include the state police and the State Board of Health.
The capital of Pennsylvania is Harrisburg. Both Philadelphia and Lancaster have served as our capital.