America and Arizona Government for Elementary Teachers

Presentation 14: Arizona Local Government and Direct Democracy

Presentation Objectives

AEPA Objectives0016 Understand state and local government in the United

States.

0019 Understand state government and government of American Indian nations in Arizona.

AZ Social Studies Standard, Strand 3

Concept 2: Structure of Government

County Government

In-between state and municipal govts.

Operate jails Operate hospitals Prosecute state crimes Administer social programs Maintain records Govern unincorporated

communities

County Plural Executive

Board of Supervisors Set agency budgets Appoint county staff

Sheriff Attorney Recorder Assessor Treasurer Superintendent of Schools Clerk of Superior Court

County Sheriff

Enforce State law Hold prisoners awaiting trial Provide local law enforcement in unincorporated

areas

County Attorney

Try cases in Superior Court

Legal representation for County offices

Andrew ThomasMaricopa County Attorney

Plural Executive Controversy

Municipal Government

Two forms of citygovernment:

Mayoral

City Manager

City Manager Model

Mayor Voting member of City

Council “Head of State” of City

City Council Determines policy and

budget City Manager

Manages city Hires/Fires staff

Coolidge City Council

Bullhead City Organization

City-State relations

Constitution grants great deal of autonomy

Cities granted charter by State

State can pass unfunded mandates

State can seize set-aside funds

State can revoke charter

Tempe City Building

District Bodies in State

Taxing authority Can set policy within

domain Governed by laws set

by state State can seize District

governance

Tribal Governments

Independent Nations Subject to Federal

Authority Provide local

legislative, executive, and judicial governance

Direct Democracy

Direct Democracy v. Representative Democracy

Direct Democracy in Arizona Initiatives Referendum Recall

Initiatives

Signature Gathering Signature verification Wording approved Voters decide Becomes a law Protected from

legislative revision

Referendum

Passed by Legislature

Pass off tough decisions

Locks in policy beyond current majority

All tax increases

Direct Democracy

Ballot Propositions

100 – Constitutional Amendment

200 – Citizen Initiative 300 – Legislative

Referendum 400 – County and Local

issue

Recall

Impeachment

v.

Recall

Petition circulated Signatures validated Placed on ballot

Conclusion

This Presentation

This presentation is courtesy of Brian Dille, Professor of Political Science at Mesa Community College.