1.The federal government owns 15 million acres of land in our state. (which is larger then some countries – Netherlands) 2.The federal government also provides funds for roads, education, etc. Sometimes with strings attached.

1.Washington State has Bicameral Legislature. 2.The state is divided into 49 districts. Each district has 2 representatives and 1 state senator. 3. The executive comprises the Governor, Lt. Governor, and other state agencies 4. The state also has a State Supreme Court and lower courts.

24 out of 49 districts in this area

1 1.Each district has two state representatives and one state senator. a. State Representatives total representatives. 2. Each term is two years 3. The leader is the Speaker b. Senate total senators 2. Each term is four years. 3. The Lt. Governor is the president of the senate but they have no vote unless it is tie.

2. A constitutional amendment in 1979 requires the legislature to meet once a year. 3.In odd years the legislature meets for 105 days. There number one job is to create a two year budget. a. The Office of Financial Management will let the legislature know how much revenue from taxes is projected for the next two years. b. Unlike the federal government the state must pass a balanced budget. 4.In the odd years the legislature meets for 60 days. 5.The governor can call the legislature into special secession at any time. 6. Most state legislatures have other jobs.

7. Most of the legislative process is similar to the way the Federal Government functions. 8. This state has what is called direct legislation brought about by the Progressive movement in the early 1900’s. 9. Direct Legislation gives citizens the right to become directly involved in the creation of laws. 10. There are three ways of direct involvement in the legislative process:

1.This process allows the legislature to refer a bill to the voters for their approval. 2.Bills that follow this procedure are usually bills that might cause political impact and so the legislature wants to make sure that the majority of citizens are for it. 3.Citizens can also force a referendum if 4% of the people who voted for the governor sign a petition. 4.In both cases it goes to the next General Election where voters will have a chance to approve or reject the bill.

1.The initiative is the process of giving citizens the right to create laws with out legislative approval. 2.To create a law through the initiative process you must: a. Pay the Fee to the Sec. of State for the petition. b. Get 10% of the registered voters to sign the petition c. If you get the 10% the measure goes to the next general election and if approved becomes law. 3.The measure must be constitutional and must deal with only on subject.

1.Recalls are against public (State or Local only) officials who have not carried out their obligations. 2.The process to recall an elected individual is the same initiatives must go through to get on the ballot. 3.Remember that it is only that district that is directly involved

Christine Gregoire 1.Is the CEO of the state. 2.Represents this state overseas and in Washington DC. 3.Can call out the National Guard 4.Has the authority to line item veto legislation 5.Can serve as many terms as the citizens want

The Lieutenant Governor is the presiding officer of the Senate, and shall discharge other duties as may be prescribed by law. If the governor is out of the state the Lt. Governor is in charge.

The role of the Attorney General is to be the legal counsel for the state. They will defend state law over whether that law is constitutional or not. The office will also sue companies like the tobacco industry for the citizens of the state.

The job of the Commissioner of Public Lands is to manage our state forests. Sales of state timber go to support the public schools. There are 5 million acres of forest land that is under the direction of the Department of Natural Resources. (Forest Fire Protection) The department also is responsible to protect our fish, wildlife and water.

The State Auditor’s job is to go over the books of the 2,400 units of local governments, including cities, counties, schools and special purpose districts such as ports and fire control Districts. Brian Sonntag

1. Certify teachers 2. Accreditation of high schools 3. Make sure WASL is administered. 4. Monitor requirements for graduation from our high schools Terry Bergeson

The job of the Insurance Commissioner is to protect the public interest and promote a fair insurance marketplace by regulating the industry, advocating for consumers and educating the public. Mike Kreidler

Secretary of State Sam Reed The office of the Secretary of States main function is the supervision of state and local elections and certifying the results. The other two main functions is to verify initiatives and referendums and the registering and licensing private corporations.

Mike Murphy State Treasurer As the chief fiscal officer, the State Treasurer is responsible for keeping the books and managing taxpayers’ money from the time it is collected in taxes until it is spent on programs funded by the legislature. The Treasurer will invest the state’s short term cash reserves. The office also handles the State Pension

All State Supreme Court Justices Gerry L. Alexander, Chief Justice Bobbe J. Bridge, Justice Tom Chambers, Justice Mary E. Fairhurst, Justice Charles W. Johnson, Justice James M. Johnson, Justice Barbara A. Madsen, Justice Susan J. Owens, Justice Richard B. Sanders, Justice Supreme Court Justices are elected to their positions for a Four year term