Arizona’s LegislatureArizona’s Legislature

Legislative StructureLegislative Structure

Is a collective decision making bodyIs a collective decision making body

Representative BodyRepresentative Body

BicameralBicameral

Representative DemocracyRepresentative Democracy

Length of TermsLength of Terms

All legislators have simultaneous two-year All legislators have simultaneous two-year termsterms

How does this impact the legislature?How does this impact the legislature?

Elections happen in November of every even-Elections happen in November of every even-numbered yearnumbered year

No legislator may serve more than four No legislator may serve more than four consecutive termsconsecutive terms

DistrictsDistrictsState senators and representatives are elected State senators and representatives are elected from 30 equally populated legislative districtsfrom 30 equally populated legislative districts

Each district has 1 senator and 2 Each district has 1 senator and 2 representativesrepresentatives

Redistricting and its impactRedistricting and its impact

Gerrymandering and its impactGerrymandering and its impact

Fracturing and packingFracturing and packing

Fracturing vs. PackingFracturing vs. Packing

Fracturing: splitting the opposition into multiple Fracturing: splitting the opposition into multiple districts to dilute its voting strengthdistricts to dilute its voting strength

Packing: confining the opposition to a few Packing: confining the opposition to a few super-strong districts that waste votes and super-strong districts that waste votes and simultaneously remove the opposition from simultaneously remove the opposition from many more surrounding districts.many more surrounding districts.

QualificationsQualifications

25 years old25 years old

U.S. CitizensU.S. Citizens

Arizona resident for 3 yearsArizona resident for 3 years

County resident for 1 yearCounty resident for 1 year

Registered voterRegistered voter

English proficientEnglish proficient

PayPayCurrently legislators are paid $24,000 dollarsCurrently legislators are paid $24,000 dollars

Legislators outside Maricopa County are paid a per diem of $60, Legislators outside Maricopa County are paid a per diem of $60, inside Maricopa County are paid $35 per dayinside Maricopa County are paid $35 per day

By comparison:By comparison:

• • California: $113,098.California: $113,098.

• • New York: $79,500.New York: $79,500.

• • Illinois: $57,619.Illinois: $57,619.

• • Colorado: $30,000.Colorado: $30,000.

Read more: Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/legislature/articles/2008/10/20http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/legislature/articles/2008/10/20/20081020payraise1020.html#ixzz0n4Y3g6y8/20081020payraise1020.html#ixzz0n4Y3g6y8

Regular SessionsRegular Sessions

Annual meetings are called regular sessionsAnnual meetings are called regular sessions

Beginning on the second Monday in January Beginning on the second Monday in January and last until late April. Roughly around 100 and last until late April. Roughly around 100 daysdays

Special SessionsSpecial SessionsEmergency situations require legislative action are Emergency situations require legislative action are considered special sessionsconsidered special sessions

Can be initiated by the governor or the legislatureCan be initiated by the governor or the legislature

If the governor initiates the session they can only If the governor initiates the session they can only enact legislation on the specific subjects mentioned enact legislation on the specific subjects mentioned in the governor’s callin the governor’s call

If the legislature initiates then there are no If the legislature initiates then there are no restrictions, 2/3 of the members of each houserestrictions, 2/3 of the members of each house

How a bill becomes a How a bill becomes a law in Arizonalaw in Arizona

Introduced by one or more members of either houseIntroduced by one or more members of either house

Assigned a number and sent to a committee Assigned a number and sent to a committee

Sent to the Committee of the Whole for debate and Sent to the Committee of the Whole for debate and votevote

Read in sections on 3 different daysRead in sections on 3 different days

Must pass a majority vote in one house before Must pass a majority vote in one house before moving to the othermoving to the other

Process repeats in the new houseProcess repeats in the new house

How a bill becomes a How a bill becomes a law in Arizonalaw in Arizona

Bill must be approved by originating house, or Bill must be approved by originating house, or sent to a conference committee of both houses sent to a conference committee of both houses to reconcile to reconcile

The governor may sign the bill, veto, or take no The governor may sign the bill, veto, or take no actionaction

Congress needs a 2/3 majority to override a Congress needs a 2/3 majority to override a vetoveto

Ways for the citizens to Ways for the citizens to change or create laws.change or create laws.Initiative- requires 10% of qualified voters, must Initiative- requires 10% of qualified voters, must be filed with the Secretary of State 4 months be filed with the Secretary of State 4 months before the electionbefore the election

Referendum- requires 5% of qualified voters, must Referendum- requires 5% of qualified voters, must be filed with the Secretary of State 90 days after be filed with the Secretary of State 90 days after the legislative sessionthe legislative session

Amendment- requires 15% of qualified voters, Amendment- requires 15% of qualified voters, must be file with the Secretary of State 4 months must be file with the Secretary of State 4 months before the electionbefore the election

Ways for the citizens to Ways for the citizens to change or create laws.change or create laws.

If passed by the voters Initiatives and If passed by the voters Initiatives and Amendments cannot be vetoed by the governor Amendments cannot be vetoed by the governor and the Legislature cannot repeal the lawand the Legislature cannot repeal the law

Legislature may amend the law with a 3/4 vote in Legislature may amend the law with a 3/4 vote in each house, “as long as the intent of the law is each house, “as long as the intent of the law is maintained.”maintained.”

Legislature may not appropriate or divert funds Legislature may not appropriate or divert funds included in an initiative or referendum.included in an initiative or referendum.

BrainstormBrainstorm

Many politicians criticize Arizona’s system. Many politicians criticize Arizona’s system. What kind of changes can be made to the What kind of changes can be made to the legislative system to make it more legislative system to make it more accommodating to the citizens? accommodating to the citizens?

What can we learn from our Federal What can we learn from our Federal Legislature? What are the early similarities?Legislature? What are the early similarities?