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Three Branches of State Governments

This section explains the roles and functions of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of state governments, including passing laws, electing governors, and interpreting and applying state laws.

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Three Branches of State Governments

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  1. Three Branches of State Governments Chapter 23 Section 2

  2. Section 2 The Legislative Branch • The state legislature has three primary functions: • passing laws that deal with a variety of matters, including health, crime, labor, education, and transportation; • the power to tax, spend, and borrow money; and • acting as a check on the power of the governor and the bureaucracy.

  3. Section 2 The Legislative Branch (cont.) • Almost every state has a bicameralstate legislature—one with two houses, like the U.S. Congress. • Members of the state legislature are elected from legislative districts of relatively equal population. • To handle a growing workload, the length and frequency of legislative sessions has increased.

  4. Section 2 The Legislative Branch (cont.) • In the lower house of the state legislature, the presiding officer is called the speaker of the house. • In 26 states, the presiding officer of the upper house is the lieutenant governor. • As in the U.S. Congress, a member of the state legislature introduces each bill; however, the source for most bills is either the state’s executive branch or a wide range of private groups.

  5. Section 2 The Executive Branch • The executive branch of every state is headed by the governor. • In most states, the process of electing a governor has two basic steps: • First, an individual must gain the nomination of a major political party, usually by winning a party primary. • Second, after he or she is chosen, the nominee runs in the general election.

  6. Section 2 The Executive Branch (cont.) • In most states the candidate who wins a pluralityvote—the largest number of votes in an election—is elected governor. • Most governors serve four-year terms. • The executive branch of state government carries out the laws that the state legislature passes.

  7. Section 2 The Executive Branch (cont.) • The governor’s responsibilities may include: • budgeting; • appointing officials; • planning for economic growth; and • coordinating the work of executive departments.

  8. Section 2 The Executive Branch (cont.) • In all but four states, other elected officials are part of the executive branch. • Forty-four states have a lieutenant governor. • All but eight states elect the attorney general—the top legal officer in state government.

  9. Section 2 The Executive Branch (cont.) • In state government, the secretary of state is in charge of all state records and official state documents. • The state treasurer manages the money that a state government collects and pays out.

  10. Section 2 The Judicial Branch • The judiciary interprets and applies state laws. This includes: • resolving conflicts such as business disagreements and citizens’ grievances, and • punishing crimes that violate state laws.

  11. Section 2 The Judicial Branch (cont.) • Two types of disputes can be heard in state courts: • Civil casesinvolve a dispute between two or more private individuals or organizations. • Criminal cases are cases in which the state brings charges against someone for violating the law.

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