1. Arizona Government

2. Arizona’s Three Branches
Legislative – The State Legislature
Arizona House of Representatives
Arizona Senate
Executive – The “Plural Executive”
6 major executive offices all directly elected
Judicial – The Arizona Supreme Court and other inferior courts

3. Arizona Legislature House of Representatives Senate
60 members
2 elected from each of 30 legislative districts
Currently 40 Republicans, 20 Democrats
Senate
30 members
1 elected from each of 30 legislative districts
Currently 21 Republicans, 9 Democrats
Legislators all serve 2 year terms, limited to 4 terms in any one house

4. Here in Mesa, if you live west of Gilbert Rd
Here in Mesa, if you live west of Gilbert Rd., you are likely in District 18
If you live east of Gilbert Rd., you are likely in District 19

5. Your State Legislators
Rep. Cecil Ash (R - Dist. 18)
Sen. Russell Pearce (R – Dist. 18)
Rep. Steve Court (R – Dist. 18)

6. Your State Legislators
Speaker Kirk Adams (R - Dist. 19)
Sen. Rich Crandall (R – Dist. 19)
Rep. Justin Olson (R – Dist. 19)

7. The Historical State Capitol Building

8. Another View

9. Arizona’s Executive Branch
“Plural Executive” – We elect all major members of the executive branch, not just one
Unlike the federal system, where President is elected, then appoints all other major officials

10. Arizona Executive Branch
6 Major Executives
Governor
Signs or vetoes bills
Recommends laws to the legislature
Appoints heads of state agencies and judges
Commander-in-chief of the Arizona National Guard
Governor Jan Brewer (R)

11. Arizona Executive Branch
6 Major Executives
Secretary of State
Responsible for smooth running of elections
Takes over for Governor in case of vacancy
Sec. of State Ken Bennett (R)

12. Arizona Executive Branch
6 Major Executives
Attorney General
Chief law enforcement officer of Arizona
Argues for Arizona in federal court cases
Attorney General Tom Horne (R)

13. Arizona Executive Branch
6 Major Executives
State Treasurer
Oversees tax collection and disbursement of state funds
Advises the governor on the state budget
Treasurer Doug Ducey (R)

14. Arizona Executive Branch
6 Major Executives
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Sets standards for hiring of teachers and graduation from K-12 schools
Advises the school districts on standards for what should be taught
Superintendent John Huppenthal (R)

15. Arizona Executive Branch
6 Major Executives
State Mine Inspector
Inspects all state mines to ensure safety regulations are followed
Mine Inspector Joe Hart (R)

16. Arizona’s Judicial Branch
Selecting Judges (Merit System)
State Constitution requires judges to:
be at least 30 years old
demonstrate good moral character
have passed the Arizona Bar and practice law in Arizona
be a resident of Arizona for at least 5 years
Bipartisan Nominating Commission chooses at least 3 qualified applicants to recommend to the governor
Governor chooses one of the names to appoint

17. Arizona’s Judicial Branch
Judges serve either a 4 year or 6 year term
Judicial Recall – at the end of their term, judges names appear on a ballot for voters to vote “yes or no on the question of retention”
Judges are required to retire at 70

18. Arizona’s Judicial Branch
Courts
Judges 1
Arizona Supreme Court 5 2 3
Arizona Court of Appeals
159 1
Superior Court

19. Rebecca White Berch, Chief Justice of Arizona

20. Arizona’s Judicial Branch
Other courts include municipal courts and justice of the peace courts, which decide “limited jurisdiction” issues
Ex. – traffic tickets, renter/landlord disputes, small claims lawsuits, etc.

21. Other Important Features of Arizona’s Constitution
Initiative – citizens may propose a law or constitutional amendment by collecting signatures on a petition
In the next election, voters determine whether it becomes law or not
Ex. – Prop. 102 (2008) defined marriage as one man and one woman in Arizona’s constitution

22. Other Important Features of Arizona’s Constitution
Referendum – The Arizona legislature passes a bill, but submits it to voters for final approval (rather than the governor)
5% of voters can petition to pass a bill by referendum, or legislature can choose to use this method
Ex. Prop 302 (2000) – used car rental and hotel tax revenue to build a new Cardinals stadium

23. Other Important Features of Arizona’s Constitution
Recall – voters can petition to put an elected official on the ballot before their term is over
Requires 25% of voters to sign the petition
Ex. – Mayor Neil Giuliano of Tempe faced a recall election on the grounds he shouldn’t have advocated the light rail project (but he won the recall election and stayed in office)

24. Other Important Features of Arizona’s Constitution
Tribal Sovereignty – Indian tribal reservations are not subject to the laws of Arizona
Ex. – Gambling is not legal in Arizona, yet casinos can be built and operated on tribal lands
Clean Elections – anyone running for state office who gets a small donation from a certain number of people can have their campaign funded by the state

25. Things that are on the Final that don’t fit in another category
Central Arizona Project – water conservation project that brings water to the valley from the Colorado River
Civic Responsibilities
Voting
Paying taxes
Serving on juries
Obeying the law