1. Washington State Government
2-column notes

2. Washington State Government
Three branches
Legislative- makes laws for Washington State
Executive- runs state government, implements and enforces laws
Judicial- courts, interprets laws
Rule of Law = CONSTITUTION

3. Legislative Branch Makes laws for Washington State
Makes the budget for spending tax money
Elected from 49 districts
Bicameral= two parts (chambers)
Senate- 49 members
One from each district
Elected for 4yr term
House of Representatives- 98 members
Two from each district
Elected for 2yr term
Cacuses= meetings within political parties

4. EXECUTIVE BRANCH Implements & enforces laws Runs state government
Nine elected officials
Governor- Christine Gregoire
Head of the executive branch
Signs bills to become laws
“line-item-veto” = special power to single out parts of a bill

5. Brad Owen – D, Lt. Governor
Sam Reed, Secretary of State
James McIntire, State Treasurer
Brian Sontag , State Auditor
Rob McKenna, Attorney General
Peter Goldmark, Commissioner of Public Lands
Randy Dorn, Superintendent of Public Instruction
 Mike Kreidler, Insurance Commissioner

6. Judicial Branch Interprets the law Criminal cases
A person is accused of a crime
Civil cases
Dispute between two people/groups, usually over money
Levels of courts
Municipal/district court
Superior court
Appeals court
State Supreme court