Image source:
https://az.gov/
The Government of Arizona is guarded by the Constitution of Arizona. Arizona became a 48th state of the United States on February 14, 1912
[1] and Phoenix is the state capitol of Arizona. Arizona has celebrated its 100 years of statehood on February 14, 2012. The government is divided into three distinct branches: the Executive branch (Governor of Arizona and state agencies), the Legislative branch (the House of Representatives and the Senate) and the Judicial branch (Supreme Court and lower courts).
Arizona Executive Branch
The Executive Branch of Arizona consists of the elected officials of the Governor, Attorney General, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Secretary of State, State Treasurer and State Mine Instructor. Arizona is one of the states that do not appoint a lieutenant governor. The state has had several female governors more than any other state of the United States. The line of succession to succeed the governor in any unforeseen events includes the Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Treasurer and the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
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https://az.gov/
The executive branch of the state government is led by the governor and he/she is also the commander in-chief of the state’s military forces. The governor may serve the state for four years and eligible to serve for any number of terms but not more than two consecutive years. The governor must abide and enforce the state laws. The governor may exercise some judiciary power to a limit that he can excuse convicted criminals except in those cases when an official is convicted of unlawful activities and cases of impeachment. Arizona is among the few states that does not maintain an official residence/mansion of the governor. The secretary of state is the next line to succeed the governor of the state.
The lieutenant governor serves as President of the State Senate, and next in line to serve as acting governor in the governor's absence from the state, disability of the governor, unfortunate event of governor's death, resignation or terminated due to impeachment.
Image source:
https://az.gov
Contact Details:State Capitol, West Wing
1700 W. Washington, 9th Fl.
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: (602)542-4331 11/98
Fax: (602)542-1381
Email: azgov@azgov.commander
Website:
http://www.governor.state.az.us Secretary of State:1700 W. Washington Street, Fl. 7
Phoenix, AZ 85007-2808
Phone: (602) 542-4285
Fax: (602) 542-1575
Website:
http://www.azsos.gov/
Attorney General:Phoenix Office
1275 West Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ 85007-2926
Phone: (602) 542-5025
Fax: (602) 542-4085
Website:
https://www.azag.gov/
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https://az.gov
Superintendent of Public Instruction:Arizona Department of Education
1535 West Jefferson Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
Phone: 602-542-5393 or 1-800-352-4558
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m.
Website:
http://www.azed.gov/
State Treasurer :1700 West Washington Street, 1st Floor
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: (602) 542-7800, Toll-free (877) 365-8310
Fax: (602) 542-7176
Website:
http://www.aztreasury.gov/
State Mine Inspector:1700 West Washington, 4th Floor
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: 602-542-5971
Fax: 602-542-5335
Website:
https://asmi.az.gov/
Arizona Legislative Branch
Arizona State Legislature is the body of the state government of Arizona which is divided into two separate assemblies, namely Arizona
House of Representatives and
Arizona Senate. One Senator and two House members serve and manage each of the 30 legislative districts. The Republican Party is the current majority party that is in power in both the houses. The Arizona state legislature is the law making and supervising body of the state of Arizona. The first process in the functioning of the legislature is the bill drafting. During the process, the bills undergo two to three readings and once approved by both the Houses, the bill is forwarded to the governor and it may be either signed or annulled.
The Arizona House of Representatives consists of 60 members and is the
lower house of the state legislature. Each district is served by two house members
[2]. The members are elected for two year terms and eligible to serve for any number of terms but not more than four consecutive terms in the chamber.
Image source:
http://www.azhouse.gov/
The Arizona House of representatives is led by the
Speaker of the House. The Speaker of the House is the presiding officer of the assembly who is elected by the majority party members of the house through a House resolution. The Speaker delegates the duty to the members of the house and manages all legislative committee assignments.
Contact Details of the Speaker of the House:1700 W. Washington
Room 221
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone Number: (602) 926-5172
Fax Number: (602) 417-3085
Website:
http://www.azhouse.gov/
Image source:
http://www.azsenate.gov
The Arizona Senate is the
upper house of the state legislature and consists of 30 state senators
[3]. A senator is elected for two-year terms and eligible to serve for any number of terms but not more than four consecutive terms in the chamber. The Senate has the power to approve or reject certain appointees of the state cabinet and boards.
Contact Details of the State Senate 1700 W. Washington
Room 205
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone Number: (602) 926-4371
Fax Number: (602) 417-3022
Website:
http://www.azsenate.gov/
Arizona Judiciary Branch
The Judiciary branch administers and applies laws and regulations to ensure justice in the state. The Arizona Court system structure comprises of
the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, and
the Trial Courts.
Also Read:
Alabama Judiciary Branch
Arizona Appellate Courts
The Supreme Court is the highest court of appeal or the court of last resort. The Supreme Court has the exclusive judicial power over criminal and civil matters and also reviews all the decisions of the intermediate courts. It consists of a chief justice, a vice chief justice, and three associate justices all appointed by the governor of Arizona for a six-year-term. The chief justice is the Chairman of the Commission on Appellate Court Appointments and he/she is elected for a five-year term by fellow justices, and is eligible for re-election.
Contact Details:Arizona Supreme Court
1501 W. Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: 602-452- 3300
Website:
http://www.azcourts.gov/
The Arizona Court of Appeal is the court of Intermediate appeal. The court comprises of twenty-two judges which is divided into two divisions. Division One in Phoenix consists of 16 judges and Division Two in Tucson consists of six judges. The court has three judge panels that hear and review cases. The court has legal power over matters in civil and criminal cases (except for death penalty cases) appealed from superior court and also reviews matters from tax court.
The Arizona Tax Court is also a special court below the Arizona Court of Appeals. The court hears cases involving state tax issues, worker’s compensation matters, and other employment and unemployment benefit issues.
Arizona Trial Courts
The Arizona Trial Court is divided into two sections- the Trial Court of General Jurisdiction (the Superior Court) and the Trial Court of Limited Jurisdiction (justice of the Peace Court/Municipal Court).
The Superior Court is the court of general jurisdiction. It has jurisdiction over matters related to felonies, misdemeanors, bankruptcy cases, divorces and annulment cases, claims and lawsuits, and cases in which other courts are not given full jurisdiction. The court also hears and reviews matters from the municipal courts and acts as the court of appeals for the justice and municipal courts. The superior court judge is elected for a four-year term.
The Justice and Municipal Court is the court of limited jurisdiction and is the lowest level court. The court hears both civil and criminal cases and also small lawsuits involving an amount of $10,000 or less, traffic violations, divorces and annulments, landlord and tenant disputes, custody and small lawsuits, misdemeanors, and assault and harassment cases.
Taxes in Arizona
The Arizona department of Revenue manages and administers a standard tax laws in the state of Arizona. Tax laws include entire laws of income, sales, property, luxury, bingo, and estate. Sales tax in Arizona is not a true sales tax but it is the Arizona transaction privilege tax that offers the privilege to open business in Arizona and is actually imposed on the retail business vendors. In Arizona except some cities including Phoenix, taxes are not levied on home consumption food or on legal prescribed drugs. An additional 2% tax is generally added to County and Municipal sales tax.
- Personal income taxes in five brackets: 2.87%, 3.20%, 3.74%, 4.72% and 5.04%
- Transaction privilege tax: 5.6%;
- Hotel/Motel lodging rate: 7.27% [4]
Arizona State Agencies
Several state agencies operate concurrently with the state to manage and administer the workings of various departments of the state. The main state agencies of Arizona are:
Arizona Department of Administration
Image source:
https://doa.az.gov/
The Arizona Department of Administration is the chief executive office that renders administrative services related to finance, labor, space leasing, postal, telecommunications systems, property management and also manages the 18 state owned buildings in Juneau. The department has many divisions including General Accounting Office (GAO), General Services Division (GSD), State Procurement Office (SPO), Office of Employment and Population Statistics (EPS), Grants and Federal Resources (GFR), Governor's Regulatory Review Council (GRRC), Risk Management (RISK).
Contact Details:100 N. 15th Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: 602-542-1500
Fax: 602-542-2199
Website:
https://doa.az.gov
Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS)
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https://doa.az.gov/
The Arizona Departent of Child safety (DCS) plays a vital role in the community to protect, prevent and minimize abuse and negligence of vulnerable children and also renders help and supervision to struggling families. Arizona CARE team is Governor’s Independent Child Advocate Response Examination system that reviews all cases including those cases which has not been investigated. The CARE team also oversees the Arizona Child Protective System (CPS) to locate and rectify any loopholes. Charles Flanagan is the Director of the Department of Child Safety. The department is working efficiently in providing child welfare and has been successful in rescuing and protecting several vulnerable children from abuse.
Contact Details:1717 West Jefferson S/C005A
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
Phone: 1-602-542-3981
Website:
https://dcs.az.gov/
Image source:
http://www.azed.gov/
Arizona Department of Education
The Arizona Department of Education under the leadership of the state
Superintendent of Public Instruction is serving the state to ensure excellent education system. The superintendent administers the
K-12 public education system and also investigates the state school’s accounts through the Arizona department of education. The Arizona K-12 public education system consists of the Arizona Department of Education, the State Board of Education, County Education Agencies, several School Districts, joint Technological Education Districts, many public schools and efficient certified teachers.
Contact Details:1535 West Jefferson Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
Phone: 602-542-5393 or 1-800-352-4558
Website:
http://www.azed.gov
Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs
The Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA) is devoted to safeguard the citizens of Arizona and provides several facilities and services through community level, state level and federal level missions. The department consists of the Army and Air National Guard, the division of Emergency and Facilities Management, the divisions of State Activities and the Joint Programs Division. The Arizona Army and Air National Guard with the unique capabilities provide military forces and efficient services to execute community, state and federal missions. The division of Emergency and Facilities Management operate diligently to manage all emergency services and minimizes all disastrous consequences to people and property. Additionally, the division of state activities manages daily business operations, finance, public affairs and human resources activities.
Contact Details:5636 E. McDowell Rd
Phoenix, Arizona 85008-3495
Phone: (602) 267-2700
Website:
http://www.azdema.gov/index.html
Arizona Department of Health Services
The Arizona Department of Health Services tends to the health and wellness of all the citizens of Arizona. The department strives to provide optimum health care and public policy to enhance the standard of personnel and community health. Several programs are implemented to ensure excellent health care, including disease prevention and control, behavioral heath programs, community and environmental health promotion, efficient emergency services and regulation of hospitals, nursing homes and other health care centers.
Image source:
http://www.azdhs.gov/
Contact Details:150 North 18th Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
Phone: (602) 542-1025
Fax: (602) 542-0883
Website:
http://www.azdhs.gov/index.php
Image source:
http://azdot.gov/
Arizona Department of Transportation
The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is a transportation agency that overviews the entire transportation network of the state of Arizona. Many projects are implemented in the Phoenix metro area, south central, north central, far west, southwest and northwest to provide easy access and connectivity across the state. The department provides motor vehicle services, manages the building and operations of highway system, bridges, and also maintains the Grand Canyon Airport. The department strives to improve transportation safety, to provide effective and economic transportation system.
Contact Details:P.O. Box 2100
MD 555M
Phoenix, AZ 85001
Phoenix: 602.255.0072
Elsewhere in Arizona: 800.251.5866
Website:
http://azdot.gov/home
Image source:
https://www.azdes.gov
Arizona Department of Economic Security
The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) attends to the well being and basic needs of the children, adults, seniors, disabilities and families of Arizona. The department strives to promote stability and self independence of individuals and families and also initiates many services of child care, kinship care, foster care and adoption, family support and prevention and young adult program. Special facilities and services are also provided to the seniors and disabilities to ensure their well being and economic sufficiency.
Contact Details:1717 W. Jefferson, Room 119
Site Code 050Z-1
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: 602-542-4791
Website:
https://www.azdes.gov/default.aspx
References:
- Arizona Statehood
- Arizona House of Representatives
- Arizona Senate
- Taxes in Arizona
