Mod 2

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School

Valencia College *

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Course

2112

Subject

Political Science

Date

Oct 30, 2023

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docx

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Uploaded by ColonelWorldLoris32

Module Two Discussion 18 18 unread replies. 52 52 replies. For this discussion, you will draw from the course text to compare and contrast two state constitutions. First, go online and find the Florida Constitution, and then compare and contrast it to a constitution from a state of your choice. Note: You are not expected to read the constitutions in their entirety (as many can be long), but read enough so you are able to effectively compare and contrast them. You are not expected to write pages and pages to discuss the constitutions, this discussion is more to help your understanding of the ways state constitutions can be similar and the ways they can be different. Points you should compare and contrast:  Length of the constitutions  Distribution of power  Rights granted  State policy (consider things such as education, taxation, etc.) Feel free to include any additional information such as things you found interesting in the constitutions! Finding your state constitutions: A great starting point to find the Florida constitution for example would be to search "Florida Constitution" in a search engine such as Google. Some specific locations you can find the constitution include the Florida Senate website and the Florida Department of State website (although there are a number of locations you can find state constitutions). If you need any help locating your constitutions, please contact me via email! Cite all sources using MLA format.

The United States Constitution contains a preamble and seven articles which describe the way the government is structured and how it operates. Articles one through three establish the tree types of branches of government and power. These three branches are Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. These articles also prevent these three branches from becoming more powerful than the others. In the articles four through seven describe the relationship between the states and the federal government. In this Federal law is higher than the state or local laws (National Archives and Records Administration). Each state has its own constitution and they generally grant more rights than what would be found in the United States Constitution. Since each state is different they will have some laws or restrictions or more freedoms to its citizens than other states. In this discussion we will compare and contrast the Florida Constitution and the West Virginia Constitution. Unlike the United States Constitution which has around 7400 words, is the length of State Constitutions can be quite a bit longer by going into more detail of what the state can do, or what rights you have. The Florida Constitution which has over 44,000 words and contains twelve articles and in each of these articles as many sections describing what that article does (Florida Constitution). The West Virginia Constitution which contains 34,000 words and has fourteen articles which is more than the Florida Constitution but in these articles have only a few selections making it a lot shorter (West Virginia Constitution). The lengths of these constitutions my vary but they still hold pretty much the same rights just go into more detail of each of what the articles do for you. In both the West Virginia and the Florida Constitution the legislative branch has a bit more power with the creation and passing of laws so the distribution of power for both the states would be the governor who can pass or veto laws. If the governor decides to veto a bill the Legislature can overturn the decision if they have two thirds vote from both chambers (FFPC). The difference in power would be that the state of Florida has a lieutenant governor and their power comes from the Florida constitution if the current governor cant fulfil their duties (Florida Constitution), and in the state of West Virginia their is no mention of a lieutenant governor of there power. With the rights granted for each of the States Constitution they can be pretty much the same, with the right to bear arms, free speech, freedom of religion, right to assemble and military power (Florida Constitution)(West Virginia Constitution). Now these two states differ in some of the rights granted. In the Florida Constitution you have the right to work and shall not be denied on account of membership or non membership of any union (Florida Constitution) and in the West Virginia Constitution does not mention the right to work section. In both the State Constitutions you have the mention of freedom of religion, but in the West Virginia Constitution public schools have

to have a place designated brief time a the start of each school day for any student wanting to exercise their right to personal and private contemplation, meditation or prayer, they are also not forces to take part in such action (West Virginia Constitution). In state policy for education both State Constitutions have to provide a free basic education to it's citizens. The big difference for education in the State Constitutions would be that in the Florida Constitution section 7 they talk about state universities and what is included in the state, how much the fees would be for schooling, and also set up a board of trustees and governors for the universities (Florida Constitution). The West Virginia Constitution has no sections for higher education learning. Works Cited “The Constitution: What Does It Say?” National Archives and Records Administration , National Archives and Records Administration, www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution/what-does-it-say. Accessed 28 Aug. 2023. “The Florida Senate.” The Florida Constitution - The Florida Senate , www.flsenate.gov/laws/constitution#A1S01. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023. West Virginia Constitution , www.wvlegislature.gov/wvcode/wv_con.cfm. Accessed 31 Aug. 2023. “How a Bill Becomes a Law: Florida.” FFPC , 9 May 2019, www.flfamily.org/issues-research/legislative-update/how-a-bill-becomes-a- florida-law/.

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