WASHINGTON STATE WASHINGTON STATE GOVERNMENTGOVERNMENT

Separation of PowersSeparation of Powers

Just like the United States federal government, Washington State’s government shares power between three branches.

Legislative Branch: Makes Laws

Executive Branch:

Enforces Laws

Judicial Branch: Interprets Laws

We, the people

(Republic: Representative Democracy)

Statehood timelineStatehood timeline1848-Oregon Territory 1848-Oregon Territory (including WA) established(including WA) established

1853-Washington Territory 1853-Washington Territory establishedestablished

1878-Washington Territory 1878-Washington Territory citizens vote for statehood; citizens vote for statehood; Congress does not approveCongress does not approve

Washington is admitted as Washington is admitted as the 42nd state to the United the 42nd state to the United States of America on States of America on November 11, 1889.November 11, 1889.

First elected officialsFirst elected officials

On October 1, 1889, On October 1, 1889, Washington voters ratify the Washington voters ratify the state's first constitution and state's first constitution and elect the first state officials.elect the first state officials.

Republican Elisha P. Ferry Republican Elisha P. Ferry (1825-1895) is elected (1825-1895) is elected governor. The new governor. The new constitution is ratified by a constitution is ratified by a majority of four to one with majority of four to one with approximately 51,000 men approximately 51,000 men casting votes. casting votes.

Capitol Building: Capitol Building: OlympiaOlympia

Territorial CapitolTerritorial CapitolCirca 1889Circa 1889

Legislative BranchLegislative Branch

The legislative branch is made up of a The legislative branch is made up of a “bicameral” legislature, meaning there are “bicameral” legislature, meaning there are “two parts” or houses.“two parts” or houses.

One house is called the Senate and the One house is called the Senate and the other is the House of Representatives.other is the House of Representatives.

Who are these representatives?Who are these representatives?

Washington State has 49 legislative Washington State has 49 legislative districts. Voters in each district elect one districts. Voters in each district elect one Senator and two representatives to the Senator and two representatives to the House.House.

Senators serve four year terms while Senators serve four year terms while members of the House of Representatives members of the House of Representatives have two year terms.have two year terms.

To run for office, a person must be a U.S. To run for office, a person must be a U.S. citizen, a qualified voter and a resident of citizen, a qualified voter and a resident of the district they represent.the district they represent.

55thth and 47 and 47thth district representatives district representatives

5th district reps

Senator Mark Mullet (D)

Rep. Chad Magendanz (R)

Rep. Jay Rodne (R)

Senator Joe Fain (R)

Rep. Mike Hargrove (R)

Rep. Pat Sullivan (D)

47th district rep

ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

Meet for 60 or 105 day sessions Meet for 60 or 105 day sessions (depending on the year)(depending on the year)

Make laws and establish the budgetMake laws and establish the budgetServe on a variety of committeesServe on a variety of committeesBills must pass in both houses in order for Bills must pass in both houses in order for

them to move onto the governorthem to move onto the governorCan override a veto with a 2/3 majorityCan override a veto with a 2/3 majority

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

ENFORCES LAWS, MAKES SURE THEY ARE FOLLOWED

HEADED BY GOVERNOR; MAY VETO, SIGN, OR IGNORE BILLS

DEPARTMENTS LIKE THE FOLLOWING HELP CARRY OUT THE LAWS; Department of Corrections, Department of Health, Department of Licensing, Department of Fish and Wildlife, etc.

Who is in charge?

• Jay Inslee, Governor (D)

• Elected by the voters of the state

• Represents people in every part of the state

Jobs of the Governor

• To see that all agencies are running smoothly and effectively

• To prepare a budget for the state and oversee the spending of money

• To recommend to the legislature laws that should be passed

• To enforce the laws of the state

JUDICIAL BRANCHJUDICIAL BRANCH

Interprets laws; decides how the Interprets laws; decides how the laws should be used and laws should be used and followedfollowed

Can remove any law that is Can remove any law that is found to be unconstitutionalfound to be unconstitutional

Headed by the Supreme Court Headed by the Supreme Court who can make the final decision who can make the final decision on any case they chooseon any case they choose

COURT SYSTEMCOURT SYSTEM

Municipal/Justice CourtMunicipal/Justice Court

Busiest of all the courtsBusiest of all the courts One judge; no jury; arguments can be One judge; no jury; arguments can be

heard, settlements are usually finalheard, settlements are usually final Handles small cases like: small claims, Handles small cases like: small claims,

small (misdemeanor) cases, traffic small (misdemeanor) cases, traffic offenses, divorce, child custody, etc.offenses, divorce, child custody, etc.

Considered a lower courtConsidered a lower court

Superior/Trial CourtSuperior/Trial Court

One judge and a jury; arguments can One judge and a jury; arguments can be heardbe heard

Many cases do get appealed, but not Many cases do get appealed, but not allall

Handles only large and important Handles only large and important cases like: major (felony) cases, large cases like: major (felony) cases, large dollar lawsuits, etc.dollar lawsuits, etc.

Considered a lower courtConsidered a lower court

Court of AppealsCourt of Appeals

Seven justices; no jury; no Seven justices; no jury; no arguments can be heardarguments can be heard

Reads and reviews decisions made in Reads and reviews decisions made in the lower courts that are appealed to the lower courts that are appealed to the courtthe court

Can overturn any decision made in Can overturn any decision made in the lower courtsthe lower courts

Considered a higher courtConsidered a higher court

Court of Appeals Court of Appeals ContinuedContinued

Three divisionsThree divisions Division I – SeattleDivision I – Seattle Division II – TacomaDivision II – Tacoma Division III - SpokaneDivision III - Spokane

Supreme CourtSupreme Court

Nine justices; no jury; arguments can Nine justices; no jury; arguments can be heardbe heard

Reads, reviews, listens to any case Reads, reviews, listens to any case the justices feel is necessarythe justices feel is necessary

The justices decide what cases they The justices decide what cases they will hearwill hear

Supreme Court ContinuedSupreme Court Continued

The cases they see are usually The cases they see are usually surrounding the following: an surrounding the following: an interpretation of a complicated law, interpretation of a complicated law, an interpretation of the Constitution, an interpretation of the Constitution, the outcome of a tough decision is in the outcome of a tough decision is in questionquestion

Can overturn any previous decision Can overturn any previous decision from the lower courts of Court of from the lower courts of Court of AppealsAppeals

Current State Supreme CourtCurrent State Supreme Court

Justice

Steve GonzalezJustice Charles Johnson

Chief Justice Barbara Madsen

Justice

Debra Stephens

Justice Charles Wiggins

Justice Sheryl

Gordon-McCloud

Justice Mary Fairhurst

Justice Susan Owens

Justice James Johnson

Supreme Court ContinuedSupreme Court Continued

Considered the Considered the Court of Last Court of Last Resort, the highest Resort, the highest court, the head of court, the head of the Judicial Branchthe Judicial Branch

First state Supreme Court, 1889

Supreme Court Oral Argument Supreme Court Oral Argument RoomRoom

Circa 1960 Circa 1960