Transcript State and Local Gov`t - Chandler Unified School District

State and Local Gov’t
State Constitutions

1. Basic Principles
Popular Sovereignty and Limited
Gov’t
 Separation of Powers and Checks
and Balances

State Constitutions

2. Protections of Civil Rights


Each State Constitution has a Bill of Rights
Similar to National Bill of Rights
State Constitutions

3. Governmental Powers and
Processes

Lists the powers of the
• Executive
• Legislative
• Judicial
• Local Gov’t
State Constitutions
• 4. Constitutional Change
• Explains the means to amend or revise the state
Constitution
Executive Branch
United States
 President
 Cabinet (Pres. & Senate)
 Vice President
Arizona
 Governor
 Cabinet (voters elect)
 Secretary of State
State Executive
 Governor = Top Executive
 4 year term
 Qualifications


25 years old
Live in state for 5 yrs
10 year citizen
Executive Powers

Supervisory Powers
–

Budget Making Powers
–

Overlooks state agencies
Prepares annual budget
Military Powers
–
Commander-in-Chief of National Guard
State Executive
• Selection–Elected by popular vote
Executive Powers
 Appointment and Removal Just like the President, chooses his/her
subordinates
 Removal
 Recall (like impeachment)
 Voters sign Petitions
 Brings up for reelection
Line of Succession
 Secretary of State– Chief Clerk
 State Treasurer– In charge of money (collects taxes)
 Attorney General– Chief Lawyer
 Superintendent of Public Instruction
– School Laws enforcement officer
State Legislatures

Legislative Powers– Ex.
Tax, Spend, Borrow, Define Crimes
 Police Power

Legislative Branch
United States



Congress
House (435) Senate (100)
Az. Has 8 Congressional Districts
Arizona



State Legislature
House (60) Senate (30)
Legislative Districts 30 (served
by 1 Senator and 2 Reps.
State Legislatures
 Qualifications



States vary, but in Az.
25 years old for the Senate and House
Elected to 2 year terms
Serve 60 day sessions, but governor and
most Legislatures can call special
sessions
State Legislatures

ElectionsElected by popular vote (no electoral
college)
 Nominated by party primaries (Except
Nebraska)

Judicial Branch
United States




Supreme Court (9)
District Courts
Judges serve for life
Serve as long as want
Arizona




Supreme Courts (5)
Superior Courts
Voter Approval every 4 yrs
Mandatory retirement at 70
Arizona Court System
State Supreme Court
State Appellate Court
State Trial Court
Arizona Court System
Selection Process
 Supreme
Court/Court
of Appeals
 Put on list by commission
 Chosen by Governor
 Confirmed by Senate
 District/Superior
Courts
 Appointed and must be
retained (voted every 4
years)
Judge Qualifications
•At least 30 years old
•Of good moral character
•A resident of Arizona
•Admitted to the practice of law in Arizona for
the five years immediately prior to taking
office.
Arizona Courts
 Supreme Court
○ 5 Justices
 Chief Justice
 Vice Chief Justice
 3 Associate Justices
○ 6 Year Terms
 Court of Appeals
○ 22 Judges
 Chief Judge
 Presiding Judge
○ 6 Year Terms
 Superior Court
○ 159 Judges
○ 4 Year Terms
Tribal Sovereignty
Tribal sovereignty in the United States refers
to the inherent authority of indigenous tribes to
govern themselves within the borders of the
United States of America. The US federal
government recognizes tribal nations as
"domestic dependent nations“
Gerrymandering
refers to the act
of drawing
congressional
districts to the
advantage of the
political party that
controls the State
legislature.
Direct Legislation
 The Initiative Direct: Voters sign
petitions to propose a
law and it goes directly
to the ballot
 Indirect: Measure goes
to the legislature first if
they don’t pass it, it then
goes to the ballot
Direct Legislation

The Referendum– Legislative measure is referred to the
voters for final approval
– Mandatory
– Optional
– Popular
Redistricting
The redrawing of
congressional
districts, usually
following a new
population census,
to maintain an
equal population in
each district.
City Government
 Mayor-Council

Voters>Mayor/Council>Dept. Heads
Strong Mayor
 Voters

elect/Mayor Appoints
Weak Mayor
 Voters
elect/Council Appoints