Lesson 2: Local Government

"As free citizens in a political democracy, we have a responsibility to be interested and involved in the affairs of the human community, be it at the local or the global level."--Paul Wellstone

The Minneapolis City Hall finished in 1909 is home to the governing body of Minneapolis and also shares space with Hennepin county. Most cities have a city hall or some sort of government building and most are not as lavish as this, but this is a beautiful building that you can see in person on your next trip to Minneapolis.

Local government is just as important and often times more important than state and federal government. People use local government for many things from simply trash removal to parking enforcement and police and fire. Local government is the level of government where young people can most often get involved. In this lesson you will be researching your own local government and creating a project after you become an expert on your city.

Standard 6

The United States government has specific functions that are determined by the way that power is delegated and controlled among various bodies: the three levels (federal, state, local) and the three branches (legislative, executive, judicial) of government.

Benchmark 9.1.4.6.8:

Explain the powers and operations of local government in Minnesota.

Essential Questions:

How are different entities of my local government run?

What powers does my local government have? How do these powers affect me?