STATE GOVERNMENT State Legislature State Executive State Judiciary

STATE GOVERNMENT State Legislature State Executive State Judiciary

*STATE CONSTITUTIONS Written document which outlines the structure, powers, and limits of state government

LAYOUT OF STATE GOVERNMENT Like our National Government State Governments has three branches. § State Legislator § Executive (Governor) § Judicial (State Courts)

STATE LEGISLATURE Organized as bicameral (two-house) § Upper: State Senate § Lower: General Assembly Seats in the State legislature are divided up by the districts

*COMMITTEE HEARINGS Meeting of Legislature for a specific purpose

POWERS OF THE PEOPLE Initiative: process by which citizens can propose laws Referendum: process by which a law is proposed or passed by the state legislature is referred to the voters to approve or reject Recall: process of removing elected officials from office *Can occur at Public Hearings

STATE REVENUE Taxes- income and sales Federal Funds Bonds Lottery tickets

*ROLES OF THE GOVERNOR Very similar to those of the President § Chief Executive § Defense (National Guard) § Legislative Leader Greatest source of power is budget-making § Must still be approved by legislature Appoint State judges and other officials

STATE EXECUTIVE AGENCIES Examples: Departments of health, revenue, education and natural resources

STATE COURT Three Levels: § Trial Courts § Appeals § State Supreme Court Main function is to check the other branches of state government in the same way the Federal judiciary.