Arizona GovernmentArizona Government

OverviewOverview

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

Lawmaking BodyLawmaking Body The Arizona Legislature consists of:The Arizona Legislature consists of:

30 Senators30 Senators 60 Representatives60 Representatives

Each district has 1 senator and 2 house Each district has 1 senator and 2 house membersmembers

Thus, AZ is broken into 30 state districtsThus, AZ is broken into 30 state districts Modeled after US Congress but dealing with Modeled after US Congress but dealing with

state specific issues state specific issues Legislators are part-time politiciansLegislators are part-time politicians Compensation = $28,000 and mileage Compensation = $28,000 and mileage 2 year term with 4 consecutive term 2 year term with 4 consecutive term

limitlimit

Executive BranchExecutive Branch The Chief Executive is the GovernorThe 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 Has a 2 term limit, reeligible after 4 yr

hiatushiatus Compensation = $95,000Compensation = $95,000 Arizona has no lieutenant governorArizona has no lieutenant governor Cabinet consists of 37 members!!!Cabinet consists of 37 members!!!

Governor determines size, not in constitutionGovernor determines size, not in constitution Governor has full control over states Governor has full control over states

budgetbudget

Major executive officesMajor executive offices Sec of State – 1Sec of State – 1stst in line to become governor in line to become governor

Keeps all records, elections, publishes laws, Keeps all records, elections, publishes laws, handles petitionshandles petitions

Attorney GeneralAttorney General Directs the department of lawDirects the department of law

TreasurerTreasurer Chief financial officer, invests and collects states Chief financial officer, invests and collects states

moniesmonies Superintendent of public instructionSuperintendent of public instruction

Develops state standards and testsDevelops state standards and tests Mine InspectorMine Inspector

Supervises and inspects, new laws Supervises and inspects, new laws

Executive PowersExecutive Powers

Makes appointments, removes officersMakes appointments, removes officers Liaison between the state and federal govt.Liaison between the state and federal govt. Military = National Guard but pres. May Military = National Guard but pres. May

nationalizenationalize Legislative = signs or vetoes lawsLegislative = signs or vetoes laws

The AZ governor does have the power of line-item The AZ governor does have the power of line-item vetoveto

This has lead to multiple balanced budgets in ArizonaThis has lead to multiple balanced budgets in Arizona Special sessions, state of state speechSpecial sessions, state of state speech An ordinary non-emergency bill becomes a law 90 An ordinary non-emergency bill becomes a law 90

days after the legislative session ends days after the legislative session ends Judicial = pardons, amnestyJudicial = pardons, amnesty

Judicial BranchJudicial Branch 3 levels = Supreme, Court of Appeals, 3 levels = Supreme, Court of Appeals,

SuperiorSuperior Supreme: 5 justices, 1 chiefSupreme: 5 justices, 1 chief

Review lower court casesReview lower court cases Court of last resort in AzCourt of last resort in Az Qualifications:Qualifications:

Good moral characterGood moral character Practiced law in Az at least 5 yearsPracticed law in Az at least 5 years Law school graduateLaw school graduate Mandatory retirement at age 70Mandatory retirement at age 70 Appointed by Governor Appointed by Governor

Term = 6 years for re-vote Term = 6 years for re-vote

Judicial BranchJudicial 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 2 divisions North (16 in Phx); South (6 in

Tuc)Tuc) Superior Courts: Primary courtsSuperior Courts: Primary courts

Hear civil cases using original jurisdictionHear civil cases using original jurisdiction Cases involving over $5000 = jury 6/8Cases involving over $5000 = jury 6/8 Also hear criminal cases Also hear criminal cases

Low level = jury must be 6/8Low level = jury must be 6/8 High level = must be unanimous or hung juryHigh level = must be unanimous or hung jury Jury = no less than six no more than 12Jury = no less than six no more than 12

Judicial BranchJudicial Branch City courts:City courts:

Hear cases concerning traffic, fighting, Hear cases concerning traffic, fighting, drunkennessdrunkenness

Justice of the Peace courtsJustice of the Peace courts Local judge hears less serious cases (elected Local judge hears less serious cases (elected

judges)judges) Each precinct has a Justice of the PeaceEach precinct has a Justice of the Peace

Maricopa County judges are appointed by Maricopa County judges are appointed by Governor and then must be re-elected after Governor and then must be re-elected after a 4 year terma 4 year term

Removal of Judges: RECALL Removal of Judges: RECALL

and impeachmentand impeachment

Stupid Arizona LawsStupid Arizona Laws These are official laws on books but not enforced:These are official laws on books but not enforced:

Hunting camels is prohibitedHunting camels is prohibited Any misdemeanor committed while wearing a red mask is a Any misdemeanor committed while wearing a red mask is a

felonyfelony Donkeys cannot sleep in bathtubsDonkeys cannot sleep in bathtubs It is upwards of 25 years in prison for cutting down a cactusIt is upwards of 25 years in prison for cutting down a cactus It is illegal to manufacture imitation cocaineIt is illegal to manufacture imitation cocaine When being attacked by a criminal or burglar, you may only When being attacked by a criminal or burglar, you may only

protect yourself with the same weapon the other possesses protect yourself with the same weapon the other possesses It is unlawful to refuse a person a glass of waterIt is unlawful to refuse a person a glass of water In Maricopa county No more than 6 girls may live an any houseIn 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 In Prescott it is forbidden to ride your horse up the county courthouse

stairsstairs In Tombstone it is illegal for men and women over the age of In Tombstone it is illegal for men and women over the age of

18 to have less than one missing tooth visible while smiling18 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 Tribal Government Arizona has 21 tribal nations = over 25% of the landArizona has 21 tribal nations = over 25% of the land Tribal Sovereignty:Tribal Sovereignty: Tribal council = representatives elected by peopleTribal council = representatives elected by people

Makes laws and imposes taxes on reservationMakes laws and imposes taxes on reservation Federal law does apply on reservation but not most state Federal law does apply on reservation but not most state

lawslaws Hence why casinos are only located on reservation landHence why casinos are only located on reservation land

Chooses one council member to be liaison between the Chooses one council member to be liaison between the tribe and the federal govt. (Internal affairs department)tribe and the federal govt. (Internal affairs department)

Tribal police are in charge of law enforcement on land Tribal police are in charge of law enforcement on land except in cases of serious feloniesexcept in cases of serious felonies Be careful on reservation landBe careful on reservation land

Tribal courts deal with minor crimes, divorce, child Tribal courts deal with minor crimes, divorce, child custody battles, civil disputes, etc.custody battles, civil disputes, etc.

Most tribes try to work with the state and federal govt. Most tribes try to work with the state and federal govt. Ex: 101Ex: 101 Tribal state compacts Ex: gambling age to 21 in 2003Tribal state compacts Ex: gambling age to 21 in 2003