Local Jurisdiction
What are the local jurisdictions covering your community? Remember that these jurisdictions probably overlap such as jurisdictions in counties, cities, townships, and special districts. Provide the names of the jurisdictions and the main Web site of each.
Executive branch
The Mayor, the Public Advocate, the Comptroller and the five Borough Presidents. ("Mayor Bloomberg," 2011)
Legislative branch
Operates as the City Council. They have the ability to pass various laws and ordinances by a simple majority. ("The New York City Council," 2011)
Judicial branch
The different city courts including: Surrogate's, civil and criminal court. ("New York City Courts," 2011)
Community Boards
Local governmental bodies that represent the interests of the citizens and different communities. Individuals are nominated to serve on these boards by the Borough Presidents. The names of a few include: the Brooklyn and Manhattan Community Boards. ("Community Boards," 2011)
Briefly describe the main responsibilities of each jurisdiction.
Executive branch
Responsible for: enforcing different laws, providing services to the community and dealing with various budgetary issues. (Berg, 2007)
Legislative branch
Enacts various laws and ordinances that are designed to protect the safety of the general public. (Berg, 2007)
Judicial branch
Interpret the laws and their constitutionality in relation to previous case precedent. (Berg, 2007)
Community Boards
Non-voting public advocate groups that will advise the City Council on: how different policies will affect neighborhoods. Their main responsibility is to represent the interests of the general public. (Berg, 2007)
What form of city or county government does your local municipal or county jurisdiction have?
Executive branch
Representative democracy.
Legislative branch
Representative democracy.
Judicial branch
Representative democracy.
Community Boards
Representative democracy. (Berg, 2007)
What kinds of elections do your local city, county, and school board employ?
Executive branch
Direct elections every four years.
Legislative branch
Direct elections every four years.
Judicial branch
Direct elections every four years.
Community Boards
Appointed by Borough Presidents. (Berg, 2007)
Bibliography
Community Boards. (2011). NYC. Retrieved from: http://www.nyc.gov/html/cau/html/cb/directory.shtml
Mayor Bloomberg. (2011). NYC. Retrieved from: http://www.nyc.gov/portal/site/nycgov/?front_door=true
The New York City Council. (2011). NYC. Retrieved from: http://council.nyc.gov/html/home/home.shtml
New York City Courts. (2011). New York Unified Court System. Retrieved from: http://www.courts.state.ny.us/courts/nyc/index.shtml
Berg, B. (2007). New York City Politics. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press.
