Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
Published byMichael Norris Modified over 11 years ago
2
Arizonas Three Branches Legislative – The State Legislature Legislative – The State Legislature Arizona House of RepresentativesArizona House of Representatives Arizona SenateArizona Senate Executive – The Plural Executive Executive – The Plural Executive 6 major executive offices all directly elected6 major executive offices all directly elected Judicial – The Arizona Supreme Court and other inferior courts Judicial – The Arizona Supreme Court and other inferior courts
3
Arizona Legislature House of Representatives House of Representatives 60 members60 members 2 elected from each of 30 legislative districts2 elected from each of 30 legislative districts Currently 40 Republicans, 20 DemocratsCurrently 40 Republicans, 20 Democrats Senate Senate 30 members30 members 1 elected from each of 30 legislative districts1 elected from each of 30 legislative districts Currently 21 Republicans, 9 DemocratsCurrently 21 Republicans, 9 Democrats Legislators all serve 2 year terms, limited to 4 terms in any one house Legislators all serve 2 year terms, limited to 4 terms in any one house
4
State legislative districts Here in Mesa, if you live west of Gilbert Rd., you are likely in District 18 If you live east of Gilbert Rd., you are likely in District 19
6
Your State Legislators Rep. Cecil Ash (R - Dist. 18) Rep. Steve Court (R – Dist. 18) Sen. Jerry Lewis (R – Dist. 18)
7
Your State Legislators Rep. Justin Pierce (R - Dist. 19) Rep. Justin Olson (R – Dist. 19) Sen. Rich Crandall (R – Dist. 19)
8
The Historical State Capitol Building
9
Another View
10
Arizonas Executive Branch Plural Executive – We elect all major members of the executive branch, not just one Plural Executive – We elect all major members of the executive branch, not just one Unlike the federal system, where President is elected, then appoints all other major officialsUnlike the federal system, where President is elected, then appoints all other major officials
11
Arizona Executive Branch 6 Major Executives 6 Major Executives GovernorGovernor Signs or vetoes bills Signs or vetoes bills Recommends laws to the legislature Recommends laws to the legislature Appoints heads of state agencies and judges Appoints heads of state agencies and judges Commander-in-chief of the Arizona National Guard Commander-in-chief of the Arizona National Guard Governor Jan Brewer (R)
13
Arizona Executive Branch 6 Major Executives 6 Major Executives Secretary of StateSecretary of State Responsible for smooth running of elections Responsible for smooth running of elections Takes over for Governor in case of vacancy Takes over for Governor in case of vacancy Sec. of State Ken Bennett (R)
14
Arizona Executive Branch 6 Major Executives 6 Major Executives Attorney GeneralAttorney General Chief law enforcement officer of Arizona Chief law enforcement officer of Arizona Argues for Arizona in federal court cases Argues for Arizona in federal court cases Attorney General Tom Horne (R)
15
Arizona Executive Branch 6 Major Executives 6 Major Executives State TreasurerState Treasurer Oversees tax collection and disbursement of state funds Oversees tax collection and disbursement of state funds Advises the governor on the state budget Advises the governor on the state budget Treasurer Doug Ducey (R)
16
Arizona Executive Branch 6 Major Executives 6 Major Executives Superintendent of Public InstructionSuperintendent of Public Instruction Sets standards for hiring of teachers and graduation from K-12 schools Sets standards for hiring of teachers and graduation from K-12 schools Advises the school districts on standards for what should be taught Advises the school districts on standards for what should be taught Superintendent John Huppenthal (R)
18
Arizona Executive Branch 6 Major Executives 6 Major Executives State Mine InspectorState Mine Inspector Inspects all state mines to ensure safety regulations are followed Inspects all state mines to ensure safety regulations are followed Mine Inspector Joe Hart (R)
19
Arizonas Judicial Branch Selecting Judges (Merit System) Selecting Judges (Merit System) State Constitution requires judges to:State Constitution requires judges to: be at least 30 years old be at least 30 years old demonstrate good moral character demonstrate good moral character have passed the Arizona Bar and practice law in Arizona have passed the Arizona Bar and practice law in Arizona be a resident of Arizona for at least 5 years be a resident of Arizona for at least 5 years Bipartisan Nominating Commission chooses at least 3 qualified applicants to recommend to the governorBipartisan Nominating Commission chooses at least 3 qualified applicants to recommend to the governor Governor chooses one of the names to appointGovernor chooses one of the names to appoint
20
Arizonas Judicial Branch Judges serve either a 4 year or 6 year term Judges serve either a 4 year or 6 year term Judicial Recall – at the end of their term, judges names appear on a ballot for voters to vote yes or no on the question of retention Judicial Recall – at the end of their term, judges names appear on a ballot for voters to vote yes or no on the question of retention Judges are required to retire at 70 Judges are required to retire at 70
21
Arizonas Judicial Branch Superior Court Arizona Court of Appeals Arizona Supreme Court 1591 23 1 5 CourtsJudges
22
Rebecca White Berch, Chief Justice of Arizona
23
Arizonas Judicial Branch Other courts include municipal courts and justice of the peace courts, which decide limited jurisdiction issues Other courts include municipal courts and justice of the peace courts, which decide limited jurisdiction issues Ex. – traffic tickets, renter/landlord disputes, small claims lawsuits, etc.Ex. – traffic tickets, renter/landlord disputes, small claims lawsuits, etc.
24
Other Important Features of Arizonas Constitution Initiative – citizens may propose a law or constitutional amendment by collecting signatures on a petition Initiative – citizens may propose a law or constitutional amendment by collecting signatures on a petition In the next election, voters determine whether it becomes law or notIn the next election, voters determine whether it becomes law or not Ex. – Prop. 102 (2008) defined marriage as one man and one woman in Arizonas constitutionEx. – Prop. 102 (2008) defined marriage as one man and one woman in Arizonas constitution
25
Other Important Features of Arizonas Constitution Referendum – The Arizona legislature passes a bill, but submits it to voters for final approval (rather than the governor) Referendum – The Arizona legislature passes a bill, but submits it to voters for final approval (rather than the governor) 5% of voters can petition to pass a bill by referendum, or legislature can choose to use this method5% of voters can petition to pass a bill by referendum, or legislature can choose to use this method Ex. Prop 302 (2000) – used car rental and hotel tax revenue to build a new Cardinals stadiumEx. Prop 302 (2000) – used car rental and hotel tax revenue to build a new Cardinals stadium
26
Other Important Features of Arizonas Constitution Recall – voters can petition to put an elected official on the ballot before their term is over Recall – voters can petition to put an elected official on the ballot before their term is over Requires 25% of voters to sign the petitionRequires 25% of voters to sign the petition Ex. – Russell Pearce, author of SB1070, was recalled in 2011 and replaced by Jerry Lewis a year before his term endedEx. – Russell Pearce, author of SB1070, was recalled in 2011 and replaced by Jerry Lewis a year before his term ended
27
Other Important Features of Arizonas Constitution Tribal Sovereignty – Indian tribal reservations are not subject to the laws of Arizona Tribal Sovereignty – Indian tribal reservations are not subject to the laws of Arizona Ex. – Gambling is not legal in Arizona, yet casinos can be built and operated on tribal landsEx. – Gambling is not legal in Arizona, yet casinos can be built and operated on tribal lands Clean Elections – anyone running for state office who gets a small donation from a certain number of people can have their campaign funded by the state Clean Elections – anyone running for state office who gets a small donation from a certain number of people can have their campaign funded by the state
28
Things that are on the Final that dont fit in another category Central Arizona Project – water conservation project that brings water to the valley from the Colorado River Central Arizona Project – water conservation project that brings water to the valley from the Colorado River Civic Responsibilities Civic Responsibilities VotingVoting Paying taxesPaying taxes Serving on juriesServing on juries Obeying the lawObeying the law
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.