State Government Structures

Similar Structures The Michigan Constitution closely mirrors the US Constitution Three Articles of the Constitution set up structures in the Federal Government 1st - The Legislature 2nd - The President 3rd - The Judiciary Michigan Constitution has similar structures Legislature Governor Court State governments deliver public services to residents through state agencies and local governments. The same way that the Federal government delivers through federal agencies.

The State Legislature Article IV of the Michigan Constitution sets up legislature Representatives and Senators Often referred to as “State Representative” or “State Senator” to avoid confusion with Federal counterparts State House of Representatives for 2019 110 Representatives 58 Republicans 52 Democrats Elected every two years State Senate for 2019 38 Senators 22 Republicans 16 Democrats

Term In 1992, the voters amended the Constitution to limit the number of years an officer can serve. State House of Representatives One may not be elected more than 3 two year terms. 6 years total State Senate One may not be elected more than 2 four year terms. 8 years total

The State Executive The Governor Term Elected to a 4 year term Cannot run more than twice (8 years) Duties Oversees state executive agencies Power to grant pardons and commutations Commander-in-Chief of state military establishment Submits a budget Appoints members of University governing boards Rick Snyder is the 48th elected Governor Gretchen Whitmer will be the 49th elected Governor

The State Courts Three levels of state court in Michigan 1st - District 105 district courts in the state Deal with traffic violations, civil disputes and landlord tenant disputes. District judges are elected 6 year terms Appeals for this court are heard by the Michigan Appeals Court 2nd - Appeals Court 28 - 3 judge panels across the state Use past precedent to guide their decisions. Four courts Detroit, Troy, Grand Rapids, Lansing

The State Courts Three levels of state court in Michigan 3rd - Supreme Court Created when Michigan was a territory (1805) 7 justices Elected to 8 year terms Oversees the operations of all state trial courts Justices are elected on partisan ballot 4 Republicans 3 Democrats Court of last resort