California Politics, Summer 2002 [Click to advance] The Structure of California Government Legislative Branch Legislative Branch Executive Branch Executive Branch Judicial Branch Judicial Branch Local Branch Local Branch

The Structure of California Government California Politics, Summer 2002 [click to advance] Legislative Legislative AssemblyAssembly SenateSenate Executive Executive Governor and Lieutenant GovernorGovernor and Lieutenant Governor Other Constitutional OfficersOther Constitutional Officers Agencies, Departments Boards and CommissionsAgencies, Departments Boards and Commissions Judicial Judicial State Supreme CourtState Supreme Court Appellate and Superior CourtsAppellate and Superior Courts Local Local Cities and CountiesCities and Counties Special DistrictsSpecial Districts

The Structure of California Government California Politics, Summer 2002 Legislative Branch: The Basics [click to advance] Assembly Assembly Assembly 80 members (50/30) 80 members (50/30) Two year terms. Limited to three two-year terms. Two year terms. Limited to three two-year terms. Representation per district: c.400,000 Representation per district: c.400,000 Senate Senate Senate 40 members (26/14) 40 members (26/14) Four year terms. Limited to two four-year terms. Members in odd- numbered districts elected in presidential election years, even numbered in gubernatorial election years. Four year terms. Limited to two four-year terms. Members in odd- numbered districts elected in presidential election years, even numbered in gubernatorial election years. Representation per district: c. 850,000 Representation per district: c. 850,000 Other Important Legislative Institutions Other Important Legislative Institutions The Legislative Counsel The Legislative Counsel The Legislative Counsel The Legislative Counsel The Legislative Analyst The Legislative Analyst The Legislative Analyst The Legislative Analyst The Bureau of State Audits The Bureau of State Audits The Bureau of State Audits The Bureau of State Audits Staff (Chief Clerk of the Assembly; Secretary of the Senate; Speaker’s Office; President pro Tempore’s Office; Senate Office of Research; The State Library (California Research Bureau); Caucuses; Committees (Assembly, Senate) Staff (Chief Clerk of the Assembly; Secretary of the Senate; Speaker’s Office; President pro Tempore’s Office; Senate Office of Research; The State Library (California Research Bureau); Caucuses; Committees (Assembly, Senate)Chief Clerk of the Assembly Speaker’s OfficePresident pro Tempore’s OfficeSenate Office of ResearchCalifornia Research Bureau CaucusesAssemblySenateChief Clerk of the Assembly Speaker’s OfficePresident pro Tempore’s OfficeSenate Office of ResearchCalifornia Research Bureau CaucusesAssemblySenate

The Structure of California Government California Politics, Summer 2002 Executive Branch: The Basics [click to advance] Governor and Lieutenant Governor (Gray Davis and Cruz Bustamante) Governor and Lieutenant Governor (Gray Davis and Cruz Bustamante) 18 yrs; citizen of the U.S.; state resident for 5 yrs; two terms 18 yrs; citizen of the U.S.; state resident for 5 yrs; two terms Powers of appointment (executive and judicial), pardon, budget, veto, and policy execution Powers of appointment (executive and judicial), pardon, budget, veto, and policy execution Other Constitutional Officers Other Constitutional Officers Secretary of State (Bill Jones); Attorney General (Bill Lockyer); Treasurer (Phil Angelides); Controller (Kathleen Connell); Superintendent of Public Instruction (Delaine Eastin); Board of Equalization (4 members by district and the Controller ex officio); Insurance Commissioner (Harry Low) Secretary of State (Bill Jones); Attorney General (Bill Lockyer); Treasurer (Phil Angelides); Controller (Kathleen Connell); Superintendent of Public Instruction (Delaine Eastin); Board of Equalization (4 members by district and the Controller ex officio); Insurance Commissioner (Harry Low) Quick Links (select Government from the left index) Quick Links (select Government from the left index) Quick Links Quick Links Agencies, Boards, and Commissions Agencies, Boards, and Commissions The Cabinet: State and Consumer Services; Business, Transportation and Housing; Environmental Protection; Secretary for Education; Food and Agriculture; Health and Welfare; Resources; Technology,Trade and Commerce; Veterans Affairs; Youth and Adult Corrections; Finance; Industrial Relations The Cabinet: State and Consumer Services; Business, Transportation and Housing; Environmental Protection; Secretary for Education; Food and Agriculture; Health and Welfare; Resources; Technology,Trade and Commerce; Veterans Affairs; Youth and Adult Corrections; Finance; Industrial Relations The State Agency Index; The Resources Agency as an example of the variety of boards and commissions The State Agency Index; The Resources Agency as an example of the variety of boards and commissions The State Agency IndexThe Resources Agency The State Agency IndexThe Resources Agency

The Structure of California Government California Politics, Summer 2002 Judicial Branch: The Basics [click to advance] The California Supreme Court The California Supreme Court may grant review of cases decided by the Courts of Appeal. Certain other cases, such as death penalty appeals and disciplinary cases involving judges and attorneys, are appealed directly to this court. At least four of the seven justices must agree on decisions. The court's decisions are binding on all other state courts. Justices are elected statewide for 12 yr. terms may grant review of cases decided by the Courts of Appeal. Certain other cases, such as death penalty appeals and disciplinary cases involving judges and attorneys, are appealed directly to this court. At least four of the seven justices must agree on decisions. The court's decisions are binding on all other state courts. Justices are elected statewide for 12 yr. terms The Courts of Appeal The Courts of Appeal The Courts of Appeal The Courts of Appeal Panels of three judges hear appeals from superior courts, except in death penalty cases, which are appealed automatically to the Supreme Court. These courts determine whether a trial court made a legal error in handling a case. Panels of three judges hear appeals from superior courts, except in death penalty cases, which are appealed automatically to the Supreme Court. These courts determine whether a trial court made a legal error in handling a case. Superior Courts Superior Courts Superior Courts Superior Courts Before June 1998, California's trial courts consisted of superior and municipal courts, each with its own jurisdiction and number of judges fixed by the Legislature. Superior courts now have trial jurisdiction over all felony cases and all general civil cases. Nearly 8.8. million cases were filed in the trial courts at some 400 court locations throughout the state during Before June 1998, California's trial courts consisted of superior and municipal courts, each with its own jurisdiction and number of judges fixed by the Legislature. Superior courts now have trial jurisdiction over all felony cases and all general civil cases. Nearly 8.8. million cases were filed in the trial courts at some 400 court locations throughout the state during The Judicial Council of California The Judicial Council of California The Judicial Council of California The Judicial Council of California State Bar of California State Bar of California State Bar of California State Bar of California

The Structure of California Government California Politics, Summer 2002 Local Branches of Government: The Basics [click to advance] Cities Cities League of California Cities League of California Cities League of California Cities League of California Cities Counties Counties California State Association of Counties California State Association of Counties California State Association of Counties California State Association of Counties Special Districts Special Districts A Citizen’s Guide A Citizen’s Guide A Citizen’s Guide A Citizen’s Guide Special District Search Engine Special District Search Engine Special District Search Engine Special District Search Engine Regional Councils of “Government” Regional Councils of “Government” ABAG as an example ABAG as an example ABAG