C3.3(3) 49 states have a bicameral legislature 2 houses House of Rep and Senate Nebraska has a unicameral legislature One house States are divided into districts Each district should have about the same population

C3.3(3) Michigan’s capital: Legislative Branch Lansing State divided into 15 congressional districts 110 Representatives 38 Senators Difference between state and federal rep’s State: works in state capital Federal: works in Wash, D.C.

C3.3(3) Executive Branch Governor Acts much like the president of the state Lieutenant Governor Acts much like the V.P. of the state Secretary of State Keeps state records Carries out election laws Attorney General Takes care of the state’s legal issues State Treasurer Supervises the collection of state taxes

C3.3(3) State Courts Judges are elected Criminal Cases Civil Cases Deal with violations of the law Civil Cases Deal with disputes between individuals or businesses Plaintiff Person or business filing a complaint

C3.3(3) Michigan Court System Structure Trial Courts (lowest level) Circuit civil cases with claims of more than $25,000 and all felony criminal cases if found guilty, could be sent to prison District traffic violations, all civil cases with claims up to $25,000, most traffic tickets, and all misdemeanor criminal cases if found guilty, cannot be sentenced to more than one year in jail Probate wills, appoints guardians

C3.3(3) Courts of Appeal (middle level) Supreme Court (highest level) Hear appeals of lower court decisions Supreme Court (highest level)

C3.3(3) How We Pay for State and Local Gov’t