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Glossary |
| Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 |
The fifty states of our country are all different. Each state has different natural resources, people, and problems. Each state has its own government to solve these problems.
Arizona and Utah, for example, make laws about how water can be used. Water is important in the desert. California's government makes laws to make sure that their fruits and vegetables do not have unwanted insects.
Our state government serves people who live in Arizona. Parents have to get birth certificate from the state when they have a baby. Drivers must get a state driver's license. Doctors, teachers, and business owners must have state licenses. The state government also builds roads and provides free public schools.
Like the national government our state government has three main branches: legislative, executive and judicial. The system of checks and balances happens in state government. Each branch does different things.
Arizona's Legislative Branch
The Arizona legislature makes laws. It has two parts the Senate and the House of Representatives. Arizonans vote for their representatives. Then the people tell their representatives how they feel about problems. They write letters, send e-mail, or talk to them at their offices. The legislature meets each year at the capital in Phoenix. They decide which ideas will become laws.
Arizona's Executive Branch
The governor is the most important person in the executive branch. He or she is in charge of the state government. The people of Arizona elect the governor. The governor has many jobs. The governor:
makes sure the state laws are enforced
Chooses many judges and hundred of other people for state government jobs
Tells the legislature what laws he or she would like to see passed
Gives the budget-a list of ways state money should be spent-to the legislature.
The governor can't do all the work of the executive branch alone. Many people help the governor. Some people collect tax money. Some work for out state parks and prisons. Others help with farming, health, safety, or education.
Visit the Arizona Governor's Kid's page
Arizona's Judicial Branch
In Arizona their are four levels of courts. The state superior court is the highest. Some courts handle divorces, wills and cases for young people. Other courts handle things like traffic tickets, theft, or disturbing the peace. A police court, found in many Arizona cities, mainly handles traffic tickets. Court judges can also marry people.
Because people in different places need different things, local governments are important. A local government serves people in a small part of the state, like a county or a city. Everyone in Arizona lives in a County.
Taking care of Arizona's Counties
The county government builds roads, has a county jail, and may provide parks and libraries. It may provide health care for those who can't pay for it on their own. County officers keep a record of your property and hold elections
Many Counties
Arizona began with four counties. We now have fifteen counties. Arizona's counties are all different. They vary in size, population and scenery. Maricopa County has more than half of the state's people. Most of them live in big cities such as Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe. Greenlee County, on the other hand has the fewest people. Each county has a town or city that is called the county seat. County offices are in a courthouse or other buildings in the county seat.
Most of the people in Arizona live in a town or city. The town or city government is closest to the people. The mayor is in charge of the city government. The town or city council and other officers work at the city hall.
Tribal Government
Native Americans on reservations have a tribal government. Most Arizona tribes elect a chairperson and a council. They run the reservation. Nearly every reservation has a police force and a court.
City Services
The services of a town or city government help us every day. The local government provides important services like the following:
Parks
streets
street lights
a water supply
a sewer system
fire protection
police
garbage removal;
In many places people expect even more from the local government. The want zoos, libraries, airports, sidewalks, swimming pools and sports programs for children. Many cities provide these things.
Taxes Pay for Services
What is tax money used for? If you go to a public school, local taxes pay for your school building, books, and your teacher's salary. Taxes pay for roads, clean water, police and firefighters. They pay for libraries, where you can check out books. They pay for parks where you can play ball and have picnics.
The government needs money to pay for all these services. It collects tax money to pay for them. People pay taxes not he money they earn. They pay taxes to drive cars and own homes. Did you know that every time you buy something , you are paying tax money to the government? This is called sales tax. You are helping to keep Arizona going!
You have learned about Arizona Today, now it is time to complete the activities for this section. Click on the Journal icon at the top of the page and complete the activities for Chapter 9. Congratulations! You have completed your journey and have finished Discovering Arizona!
You are a part of Arizona's Journey!
You have finished your exploration of Arizona's history. You have learned about Indian leaders, fur trappers, soldiers, merchants, miner, farmers politicians, religious leaders and many others. You have read about the choices these people made, and the challenges they faced.
Arizona's history has been shaped by outside influences too. Wars, population growth and modern inventions have changed our lives.
History happens everyday. even today! We live in a new century with many challenges and we still need to work hard to protect our environment, create better transportation systems, overcome prejudice and make our schools the best that they can be.
Your choices will affect how people live in the future. You have a chance to make life better for all Arizonans. You have finished Discovering Arizona, but your journey has just begun. now it is up to you to make Arizona's future!
