Texas also has elected Texas Supreme Court Justices, Appeals Courts, and District Court Divisions with justices elected to six-year terms. The longer term is presumably intended to isolate the justices somewhat from the need to please the populace. The governor is also elected every four years in Texas. (Texas Online, 2006) The delegation of authority to local governments: What structure and powers do the cities, counties, and other forms of local government have in the state?

In North Carolina the state has the authority to exercise its police powers to protect public health, safety, and welfare on both a local and state level. Local governments have been delegated the authority to regulate businesses and prohibit infractions that are perceived as nuisances or that may inhibit community health, welfare, safety, order, or convenience. (Owen, 2006) for example, a local government can enact ordinances upholding local standards regarding zoning particular establishments away from schools or residential areas to uphold community standards. Local governments can also oversee the maintenance of local parks and sanctuaries. Although county and state governments are responsible for overseeing the education, health, and welfare of the citizens by providing them with social services, the local and county governments are given the ability to regulate some matters pertaining to these areas of citizen life, such as school curriculum and budgeting, for example. Local governments may also punish persons in violation of such statues through the county and local court systems.

In both Texas and North Carolina, specific matters pertaining to education are by and large, the provinces of local governments. Local governments have the ability to determine the allocation of educational resources financially, although schools must meet certain standards, such as the student body's need to meet certain...

Also, schools must meet state safety standards. For example, in Texas on October 9, 2006, Lt. Governor David Dewhurst announced at a press conference he would submit a proposal to the legislature that would require all public schools in Texas to be equipped with an automated external defibrillator, to ensure the safety and security of all Texas high school students. Thus it is difficult to make absolute statements about certain areas of citizen life into which the state cannot transgress, as the state's responsibility for the welfare of its citizens may often overlap with local matters.
Works Cited

How a bill becomes a law." North Carolina Research Division. 2006. [14 Oct 2006] http://www.ncleg.net/NCGAInfo/Bill-Law/bill-law.html

How a judge becomes a judge." North Carolina Research Division. 2006. [14 Oct 2006] http://www.aoc.state.nc.us/www/homecourt/howjud.html

Lt. Governor says all schools need automatic defibrillators." Texas State Senate Press

Release. Texas State Senate Webpage October 9,2005. [14 Oct 2006] http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/new.htm

North Carolina General Assembly -- Citizen Guide." North Carolina Research Division.

2006. [14 Oct 2006] http://www.ncleg.net/CitizenGuide/CitizenGuide.html

North Carolina General Assembly -- Structure." 2006 North Carolina Research Division.

14 Oct 2006] http://www.ncleg.net/NCGAInfo/educational/structure.html

Owens, David W. "Land-Use and Development Moratoria." Popular Government

Magazine. Fall 1990. [14 Oct 2006]

http://www.iog.unc.edu/organizations/planning/onlinepubs/pgfall90.htm?page=pg&category=Popular%20Government%20magazine

Texas Online. Official Webpage. 2006. [14 Oct 2006]

http://www.government.texasonline.state.tx.us/?language=eng