Arizona Statehood: the Three Branches of Government

Sharon Hatcher
October 9, 2012
POS301-Arizona and Federal Government
Professor Halperin
Part I: Arizona Statehood Upon the ending of the Mexican American War (1846-1848), Arizona began the journey to statehood. Arizona began applying for statehood in 1872. Arizona drafted a constitution in 1891. The Congress continually ignored the request for statehood by Arizona because of because of the lack of residents, unpromising economic prospects, they are conservative democrats and demographics. Once congress passed the Enabling Act, Arizona was forced to create a constitution and it was to be approved by Congress and the acting President, also, this act presented restrictions on the state’s management of public land; stating that the majority of the land is designated as school trust land. In 1912, Arizona was finally given statehood, it was the 48th state. Leading up to Arizona’s statehood there have been many events that have lead to the formation of this state. The following are key events in history have lead to the statehood of Arizona: the Pre-territorial period, the Spanish period, the Mexican period, U.S. Controlled period and the Territorial period.

Arizona
Three Branches of Government
Arizona
Three Branches of Government

Executive Branch * Governor * Power to appoint * Removal powers (but limited) * Fiscal powers * Military powers * Lawmaking powers Legislation powers * the power to propose new legislation * the power to call the legislation into special session * the veto power
Judicial Powers * the power to appoint judges * Clemency powers
Other informal Powers * Secretary of State * Record keeping * Elections * Attorney General * Legal advisor * Superintendent of Public Instruction

“ The Executive Branch is to carry out (“execute”) the laws and judicial decrees of the state (McClory, 2001).” * Operates prisons, medical facilities, and three universities * Directs the public school system and maintains certification of the teachers * In charge construction and maintenance of roads * The state highway patrol * Manages natural resources and public land * Director of licensing of the many occupations * Maintains regulations for many businesses * Handles state legal affairs * Oversees elections * Inspires to create economic growth
Legislative Branch
Senate – 30 members; 1 from each district
House of Representatives – 60 members; 2 from each district
“The chief job of the state legislature is to make and revise the laws of the state (McClory, 2001).” * Lawmaking process – five stages * Introduction * Committee review in the first chamber * Passage by the first chamber * Review and passage by the second chamber * Approval by the governor or legislative override * Fiscal Powers * Raising revenues * The appropriations process * Government Oversight Prowers * Impeachment powers * Legislative expulsion * Proposing state constitutional amendments * Redistricting * Amendments to the U.S. Constitution
Judicial Branch * Supreme Court * State’s major trial court * Court of Appeals * Handles appeals from superior court, tax court, the industrial commission, and unemployment compensation cases * Superior Court * Handles serious criminal and civil cases * Courts Not of Record * Handles traffic cases, minor criminal cases, violation of city ordinances and codes, private claims under $10,000 and preliminary hearings

“The courts function is to resolve legal disputes (McClory, 2001).”

Amending the Arizona Constitution
Amending the Arizona Constitution

“Amending allows constitutional provisions to be added, removed, or altered (McClory, 2001).”
Two-step Process: * Formally Propose Amendment * Initiative * Referendum * Convention * Ratification * Approval from a majority vote of the people

Each state has a form of government and methods of running their government system. Arizona constitution represents the Progressive Era. Arizona constitution gives much power to the citizens of their state; this is known as a direct democracy, which means the people rule themselves. For many years there has been controversy on whether this form of government is fair or practical for allowing so much power to the people. The founding fathers in 1787 originally excluded the Greeks method of government, direct democracy. They were concerned about the size of the area and whether conventional citizens were capable of making such important decisions concerning governmental issues. In my opinion, I believe it is working for the Arizonan’s but it would not work for every state. In research, I have found that the one issue that arises is direct democracy; initiative, referendum, and the recall. Some are worried that the Legislatures are attempting to limit the power of initiatives. There governmental view is; allowing the citizens interests above that of the political monetary interests. Many believe that introducing laws by initiative process needs to debated and reviewed before passing a law. The people are not always as informed as they need to be (“Legislators Seeking More Control over Initiatives”]. I believe that the founding framers of the Arizona Constitution believed in a positive form of government but did not trust giving all the power to elected officials and felt that the state would benefit more if the citizens were involved. They saw representative democracy as a failure to the people. Since, I do not live or depend on the Arizona government, it is hard to say whether or not it is fair.

Reference
Anagnost, G. (2009, March). The Arizona Constitution. Retrieved 10/9/12. From http://www.myazbar.org/AZAttorney/PDF_Articles/0309constitution.pdf Berman, D. (2012, February 02). Arizona’s centennial: Remembering the Progressive
Constitution. Retrieved 10/9/12. From http://morrisoninstitute.asu.edu/publications-reports/2012-arizona2019s-centennial-remembering-the-progressive-constitution/view?searchterm=Arizona+Centennial%3A+Remembering+the+Progre Legislators Seeking More Control over Initiatives. (2007, February 13). Retrieved 10/6/12. From http://www.countysupervisors.org/news/view_article.cfm?ID=97 ("Legislators seeking more," 2007)