Arizona Government

Overview Arizona state government, like the national govt., is divided into three branches. In addition there are county governments, municipal or city governments, school districts, and tribal governments. Arizona state government, like the national govt., is divided into three branches. In addition there are county governments, municipal or city governments, school districts, and tribal governments.

Lawmaking Body The Arizona Legislature consists of: The Arizona Legislature consists of: 30 Senators 30 Senators 60 Representatives 60 Representatives Each district has 1 senator and 2 house members Each district has 1 senator and 2 house members Thus, AZ is broken into 30 state districts Thus, AZ is broken into 30 state districts Modeled after US Congress but dealing with state specific issues Modeled after US Congress but dealing with state specific issues Legislators are part-time politicians Legislators are part-time politicians Compensation = $28,000 and mileage Compensation = $28,000 and mileage 2 year term with 4 consecutive term limit 2 year term with 4 consecutive term limit

Executive Branch The Chief Executive is the Governor The Chief Executive is the Governor They serve a 4 year term – pseudo pres. They serve a 4 year term – pseudo pres. Has a 2 term limit, reeligible after 4 yr hiatus Has a 2 term limit, reeligible after 4 yr hiatus Compensation = $95,000 Compensation = $95,000 Arizona has no lieutenant governor Arizona has no lieutenant governor Cabinet consists of 37 members!!! Cabinet consists of 37 members!!! Governor determines size, not in constitution Governor determines size, not in constitution Governor has full control over states budget Governor has full control over states budget

Major executive offices Sec of State – 1 st in line to become governor Sec of State – 1 st in line to become governor Keeps all records, elections, publishes laws, handles petitions Keeps all records, elections, publishes laws, handles petitions Attorney General Attorney General Directs the department of law Directs the department of law Treasurer Treasurer Chief financial officer, invests and collects states monies Chief financial officer, invests and collects states monies Superintendent of public instruction Superintendent of public instruction Develops state standards and tests Develops state standards and tests Mine Inspector Mine Inspector Supervises and inspects, new laws Supervises and inspects, new laws

Executive Powers Makes appointments, removes officers Makes appointments, removes officers Liaison between the state and federal govt. Liaison between the state and federal govt. Military = National Guard but pres. May nationalize Military = National Guard but pres. May nationalize Legislative = signs or vetoes laws Legislative = signs or vetoes laws The AZ governor does have the power of line-item veto The AZ governor does have the power of line-item veto This has lead to multiple balanced budgets in Arizona This has lead to multiple balanced budgets in Arizona Special sessions, state of state speech Special sessions, state of state speech An ordinary non-emergency bill becomes a law 90 days after the legislative session ends An ordinary non-emergency bill becomes a law 90 days after the legislative session ends Judicial = pardons, amnesty Judicial = pardons, amnesty

Judicial Branch 3 levels = Supreme, Court of Appeals, Superior 3 levels = Supreme, Court of Appeals, Superior Supreme: 5 justices, 1 chief Supreme: 5 justices, 1 chief Review lower court cases Review lower court cases Court of last resort in Az Court of last resort in Az Qualifications: Qualifications: Good moral character Good moral character Practiced law in Az at least 5 years Practiced law in Az at least 5 years Law school graduate Law school graduate Mandatory retirement at age 70 Mandatory retirement at age 70 Appointed by Governor Appointed by Governor Term = 6 years for re-vote Term = 6 years for re-vote

Judicial Branch Court of Appeals: Court of Appeals: Created in 1964 to relieve the S.C. Created in 1964 to relieve the S.C. 2 divisions North (16 in Phx); South (6 in Tuc) 2 divisions North (16 in Phx); South (6 in Tuc) Superior Courts: Primary courts Superior Courts: Primary courts Hear civil cases using original jurisdiction Hear civil cases using original jurisdiction Cases involving over $5000 = jury 6/8 Cases involving over $5000 = jury 6/8 Also hear criminal cases Also hear criminal cases Low level = jury must be 6/8 Low level = jury must be 6/8 High level = must be unanimous or hung jury High level = must be unanimous or hung jury Jury = no less than six no more than 12 Jury = no less than six no more than 12

Judicial Branch City courts: City courts: Hear cases concerning traffic, fighting, drunkenness Hear cases concerning traffic, fighting, drunkenness Justice of the Peace courts Justice of the Peace courts Local judge hears less serious cases (elected judges) Local judge hears less serious cases (elected judges) Each precinct has a Justice of the Peace Each precinct has a Justice of the Peace Maricopa County judges are appointed by Governor and then must be re-elected after a 4 year term Maricopa County judges are appointed by Governor and then must be re-elected after a 4 year term Removal of Judges: RECALL Removal of Judges: RECALL and impeachment and impeachment

Stupid Arizona Laws These are official laws on books but not enforced: These are official laws on books but not enforced: Hunting camels is prohibited Hunting camels is prohibited Any misdemeanor committed while wearing a red mask is a felony Any misdemeanor committed while wearing a red mask is a felony Donkeys cannot sleep in bathtubs Donkeys cannot sleep in bathtubs It is upwards of 25 years in prison for cutting down a cactus It is upwards of 25 years in prison for cutting down a cactus It is illegal to manufacture imitation cocaine It is illegal to manufacture imitation cocaine When being attacked by a criminal or burglar, you may only protect yourself with the same weapon the other possesses When being attacked by a criminal or burglar, you may only protect yourself with the same weapon the other possesses It is unlawful to refuse a person a glass of water It is unlawful to refuse a person a glass of water In Maricopa county No more than 6 girls may live an any house In Maricopa county No more than 6 girls may live an any house In Prescott it is forbidden to ride your horse up the county courthouse stairs In Prescott it is forbidden to ride your horse up the county courthouse stairs In Tombstone it is illegal for men and women over the age of 18 to have less than one missing tooth visible while smiling In Tombstone it is illegal for men and women over the age of 18 to have less than one missing tooth visible while smiling In Tucson women may not wear pants In Tucson women may not wear pants

Tribal Government Arizona has 21 tribal nations = over 25% of the land Arizona has 21 tribal nations = over 25% of the land Tribal Sovereignty: Tribal Sovereignty: Tribal council = representatives elected by people Tribal council = representatives elected by people Makes laws and imposes taxes on reservation Makes laws and imposes taxes on reservation Federal law does apply on reservation but not most state laws Federal law does apply on reservation but not most state laws Hence why casinos are only located on reservation land Hence why casinos are only located on reservation land Chooses one council member to be liaison between the tribe and the federal govt. (Internal affairs department) Chooses one council member to be liaison between the tribe and the federal govt. (Internal affairs department) Tribal police are in charge of law enforcement on land except in cases of serious felonies Tribal police are in charge of law enforcement on land except in cases of serious felonies Be careful on reservation land Be careful on reservation land Tribal courts deal with minor crimes, divorce, child custody battles, civil disputes, etc. Tribal courts deal with minor crimes, divorce, child custody battles, civil disputes, etc. Most tribes try to work with the state and federal govt. Ex: 101 Most tribes try to work with the state and federal govt. Ex: 101 Tribal state compacts Ex: gambling age to 21 in 2003 Tribal state compacts Ex: gambling age to 21 in 2003