Three Branches of State Government Legislative Branch State
Three Branches of State Government
Legislative Branch • State legislatures are known by several different names, but they all perform the same basic function • General assembly, general court, legislative assembly • Every state except for Nebraska has a Bicameral legislature
Legislative Branch • Every state legislator represents a district of relatively equal population in a state • Before 1964, the districts were broken up by area, not population • Supreme Court case Reynolds v. Sims (1964) changed this
Legislative Branch • Qualifications • Senator – Most states the age limit is 25 • House – Most states the age limit is 21 • Most states it is a low paid, part time job • Session • Typically meet for one or two months per year • 7 states the legislature only meets once every other year
Legislative Branch • Organization • Most state legislatures are arranged like the US Congress • The lower House is presided over by a Speaker of the House who is elected by the majority party • The Senate is either presided over by the lieutenant governor or an elected presiding officer voted on by the majority party
Executive Branch • Governor Qualifications • Most states the age limit is 30 • Citizen of the US • Live in the state for the last 5 years • Election • Nomination • Election • Can be elected in a plurality in some states • In AZ, you need to get more than half the votes
Executive Branch • Most states have a 4 year term of office, VT and NH have a 2 year term • Salaries range from $65, 000 to $179, 000 • AZ is $95, 000 • 18 states have a recall system where voters can vote out a sitting governor before the end of their term
Executive Branch • Roles of the Governor • Proposing and signing legislation • Leader of the state • Leader of the party in the state • Negotiator with the federal government • Commander in Chief of the National Guard
Judicial Branch • Interpretation of state and local laws • Civil and Criminal Cases • Arrangement • Justice Court (Local Court) • General Trial Court (above the minor courts) • Appeals Court • State Supreme Court (highest court in the state court system)
Judicial Branch • Selecting Judges • Elected by the people • Elected by the legislature • Appointed by the governor • Missouri Plan (appointed by the governor then elected by the people) • Removing Judges • Impeachment • Removal by the State Supreme Court • Recall
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