Governments in Washington State Part II: State & Local Government

WA State Constitution Written in pages long Amended 98 times Patterned after U.S. govt. –3 branches with separation of powers & checks and balances. Capital in Olympia

State Legislative Branch Makes the laws 49 Districts of equal population within state State Senate: 1 senator from each district. 49 senators total Serve 4 year terms State House of Representatives 2 representative per district 98 reps total Serve 2 year terms

State Legislative Districts

45th District State Senator Andy Hill State Representative Roger Goodman State Representative Larry Springer

WA State Executive Branch Governor - head of state Executive Branch –Carries out and enforces the law – can veto laws Line-item veto: can veto sections of laws. –Commands WA state National Guard. Lt. Governor: Like Vice President, but can be from a different political party. Unlike Federal Executive Branch, members of State level Executive Branch are elected.

Washington Judicial Branch WA State Supreme Court –9 judges –Elected by voters (different from federal!) –Interpret and decide what a law means & if it follows the WA state Constitution Lower courts: –Municipal or city courts –Superior Courts (criminal) by county –Court of Appeals (to try again)

Direct Legislation Laws enacted by the people. –Referendum: Laws already passed by state legislature voted on by people. –Initiative: Started by the people. Collect signatures and placed on the ballot. –Recall: Remove a candidate from office.

County Governments 39 counties in Washington All counties have: -County council with 9 elected members -County courts Can collect taxes for the following services: -Police & fire -Protect public health -Libraries -Water, sewage & waste -Other duties not specified for state. In King and Pierce Counties only: -County Executive Ordinance: a law passed by county or city. Dow Constantine, King County Exec.

City (Municipal) Government Woodinville Legislative: City Council -Voters Elect 7 members -Elected for 4 year term Executive: Mayor/Deputy Mayor - Mayor and Deputy Mayor are selected from city council. City Services: Police, fire, water, sewage If you live outside city limits, counties provide parks, libraries, roads, hospitals for you. Woodinville City Council Bernie Talmas, Mayor

Districts Provide special services to people, such as school districts. The Northshore School District. –Gets money from State Govt., Federal Govt. & Local levies and bonds. –Levies must pass by 60%, so they’re harder to pass. -Has a school board. -Superintendent hired by school board. Superintendent Larry Francois

Powers Delegated to the State Establish & maintain schools. Conduct elections Regulate business within the state. Make marriage laws. Provide for public safety Assume all other powers not specifically delegated to the national government or prohibited.

Local leaders who have moved to the national level with the Obama Administration: Former Governor Gary Locke: Secretary of Commerce and now Ambassador to China Chief of Police in Seattle Gil Kerlikowske: Drug Czar King County executive Ron Sims: Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development