Arizona Government/Arizona Direct Democracy Packet

Transcription

1 Arizona Government/Arizona Direct Democracy Packet Assignments Due the day of the test Direct Democracy #3 Notes Arizona Institutions #6 Reading Study Guides Test

2 Arizona Direct Democracy Study Guide There are four types of direct democracy that you will need to know 1. Legislative Referendum A proposal by the state legislature, which is then placed on the ballot, for the people to decide if it will become a law or constitutional amendment. The proposal must be passed by the legislature before it is sent to the people. This may be done as an alternative to sending the proposed law to the governor and/or allowing the public to be heard on a particularly sensitive issue. (Law or Constitutional Amendment written by the legislature and put on the ballot by the legislature) 2. Popular Referendum A process by which the people (registered voters) may require a law already approved by the Arizona Legislature to be placed on the ballot for voter approval. The process is initiated by registered voters with the use of petitions. The process must take place within 90 days after final adjournment of the legislative session during which the proposal was approved by the Legislature. (Law written by state legislature put on the ballot by the people) 3. Initiative A process that permits citizens, who are registered voters, to propose laws or constitutional amendments for the State of Arizona. This process is initiated by registered voters with the use of petitions and is accomplished without any action of the state legislature. (Law or Constitutional Amendment written by the people and put on the ballot by the people) 4. Recall A process by which people (registered voters) may vote to remove elected officials from office before their terms are finished. This process is initiated by registered voters with the use of petitions. In Arizona, the number of signatures of registered voters must equal at least 25% of the total vote for that office in the last election. Recall forces a special election for that office. Steps 1. Is someone facing a special election or being removed from office? If yes answer recall if no go to question #2 2. Who wrote the law/constitutional amendment? If people answer initiative if legislature go to question #3 3. Who put the law/constitutional amendment on the ballot? If people answer popular referendum if legislature answer legislative referendum

3 INSTITUTIONS ARIZONA GOVERNMENT Study Guide 2010 District Test I. Arizona Plural Executives a. GOVERNOR powers: II. House - Administers state laws/executive orders - Recommends legislation/ budget - sign legislation - veto - Call special session of the legislature - Appoints non-elected state officials - Commander of the state National Guard in case of an Emergency - Enforces state criminal and highway laws - Commander of the Department of Public Safety (state police) b. SECRETARY OF STATE - Keep official records and Arizona Revised Statutes (laws) - Provide and validate petitions for elective office, Initiative, referendum and recall - Becomes acting Governor in the absence of the elected Governor - Keep Political action committees reports and political financial reports - Prints state documents c. ATTORNEY GENERAL - State chief prosecutor - Prosecute criminal and civil cases for the state - Issue legal opinions regarding the legal meaning of laws when requested by another government agency - Represents the state in front of the US Supreme Court d. SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Department of Education - Enforce state adopted curriculum from kindergarten 12th grade - Certify teacher and administrators ARIZONA LEGISLATURE Arizona has 30 legislative districts. Each District elects one Senator and two Representatives. Therefore, the Senate has 30 members and the Arizona have 60 members. Currently each district represents 170,000 Citizens.

4 District # Senate House House III. The powers of the legislature -Enact state laws (make laws) -Impeach state executive and judicial officials -Appropriate state funds/ Enact or adopt state budget -Determine the salaries of state executive and judicial officials ARIZONA COURTS Arizona Supreme Court o Five Justices o Appellate & Original Jurisdiction o Appointed o Retention vote every six years o Review the constitutionality of state laws and executive actions (Judicial Review) o Settle disputes between counties as well as disputes between cities o Listens to appeals from lower state courts o Makes decision on validity of Attorney General s legal opinions Arizona Court of Appeals o Appellate Jurisdiction o Reviews decisions from lower courts and Arizona Boards and Commissions o Retention vote every six years > County Superior Courts o County Superior Courts are the main trial court for civil/criminal cases o Serve for four year term o Felony Cases o Appointed in Maricopa and Pima County / Elected in other Counties o Settles felony disputes in court

5 Direct Democracy Notes Use legislative Referendum, Popular Referendum, Initiative Recall and/or none. 1. Which type or types of Arizona direct democracy would remove someone from an elected office? 2. Which type or types of Arizona direct democracy would remove an appointed official from office? 3. Which of the methods of direct democracy involve the use of petitions? 4. Which of the methods of direct democracy can not involve constitutional amendments? 5. Which method of direct democracy could be used to remove the Vice President? 6. Which type or types of direct democracy involves bills passed by the legislature? 7. Which type or types of direct democracy do not involve any action by the legislature?

6 Arizona Democracy Activity #3 Name Identify the form of Arizona Direct Democracy illustrated by each Action. 1. A number of citizens join together and strive to create a law by gathering signatures on petitions that call for the creation of a strong Arizona Bank examination agency. 2. Yesterday, the Arizona Legislature passed a law, which increased the sales tax by 2%. This morning, angry citizens launched a petition drive with the goal of forcing the newly passed law to a vote of the people. 3. Due to the increased cost of auto insurance, a newly formed organization, Fair Insurance for Desert Dwellers (FIDD), announced a petition drive. It is the organization's intent to install an Insurance Regulatory Agency with prior rate change approval power. They will begin gathering signatures this weekend. 4. The Arizona Legislature voted to refer a tax increase measure to the people for approval. It will be on the next general election ballot. 5. Jack Duckfoot has been standing in front of Kmart for every weekend of the last two months asking people to sign a petition that would force the Attorney General to face a special election. 6. The legislature voted to change the Arizona Constitution so that a female could legally serve as a governor. The people may ratify this change at the next general election. 7. Arizona Mine Inspector Juan Valdez is being forced to resign or have his name placed on the ballot of a special election. Angry citizens reacted to his comment, "We should

7 expect to lose a few miners every year," and gathered signatures to remove him from office. 8. A group of enthusiastic Arizona citizens are gathering signatures for a constitutional measure that would declare "Arizona a Christian state, which allows Christians and non-christians to live in it." If they are successful, the general election should be an exciting one. 9. A local school board member angered the residents of a neighborhood by trying to locate a small golf club in their community. He said the club would be used to train potential dropouts (perhaps a club would work). The residents are gathering signatures to prematurely end his term in office. 10. All interested registered voters will vote on a legislatively initiated measure calling for a longer school year. Should the proposition pass, the school year would change from 180 to 210 days. Many students appear excited about the pending increase in educational opportunity. 11. Unhappy with the Governor's administration, citizens succeeded in collecting the required number of signatures to call for a new governors election although the governor has served only 14 months of his 4 years. 12. Last week the Governor signed into law the new school attendance bill. Shane Profitt called a press conference to announce that he is leading a citizens' drive to collect signatures in order to place this measure on the ballot for voter approval. 13. Since the Arizona Legislature did not pass a Clean Air Bill, a group of environmentalists wrote a bill and are circulating petitions seeking signatures of eligible voters in an effort to get this measure on the ballot in the early fall. 14. Friends of the Arts is a citizens' group who are campaigning to get voter approval of a bill written by them to get government funds to build a new symphony hall.

8 Act Arizona Institutions Name A. Identify which institution is responsible for handling the following situations and explain why? Governor State Attorney General Public Instruction Arizona Legislature Court Secretary of Superintendent of Arizona Supreme 1. After his conviction for assaulting students, Mr. Boie had his case reviewed for constitutional reasons. 2. A law was passed that requires all schools K-12 in Arizona to administer a statewide Physical Education test. This statewide test must be enforced. 3. Because of forest fire in Flagstaff, the Arizona National Guard has been called out. 4. Fred recently became certified to teach math in the state of Arizona. 5. The Governor and the Secretary of State both received a 5% pay increase this past year. 6. A new bill was signed yesterday to create a Holiday to honor September 11 th. A. B. 7. A special session of the legislature is called. The state has run out of money to pay state employees and the there needs to be a decision made where the money will come from _ 8. A new Arizona Court of Appeals Judge is appointed. _ 9. Next week the court will review the new state law to determine its constitutionality.

9 _ 10. An Arizona State Supreme Court Justice was impeached last week for illegally taking a bribe. A. B. 11. The 2011 state budget was proposed last Monday. A. B. 12. The Governor fell ill last week and is not expected to live. Someone needs to take their place. A. B. 13. The 2011 state budget was approved last night. A. B. 14. A legal opinion is being asked for by the governor concerning the meaning of a word in a new law that was recently passed. A. B. 15. Appropriation of state funds was provided to build a new soccer stadium. A. B. 16. An investigation indicates that the state treasurer has embezzled state funds. She is prosecuted. A. B. 17. Mr. Ioli needs to get recertified as a teacher every 6 years. A. B. 18. Next week Arizona will be in front of the U.S. Supreme Court auguring their case against California. A. B.