C3.3(3)

• 49 states have a bicameral legislature– 2 houses• House of Rep and Senate

• Nebraska has a unicameral legislature– One house

• States are divided into districts– Each district should have about the same

population

C3.3(3)

• Michigan’s capital:– Lansing

• Legislative Branch– State divided into 15 congressional districts – 110 Representatives– 38 Senators

• Difference between state and federal rep’s– State: works in state capital– Federal: works in Wash, D.C.

C3.3(3)

• Executive Branch– Governor – Acts much like the president of the state– Lieutenant Governor • Acts much like the V.P. of the state

– Secretary of State• Keeps state records• Carries out election laws

– Attorney General• Takes care of the state’s legal issues

– State Treasurer • Supervises the collection of state taxes

C3.3(3)

• State Courts– Judges are elected – Criminal Cases• Deal with violations of the law

– Civil Cases• Deal with disputes between individuals or businesses • Plaintiff

– Person or business filing a complaint

C3.3(3)

• Michigan Court System Structure– Trial Courts (lowest level)• Circuit

– civil cases with claims of more than $25,000 and all felony criminal cases » if found guilty, could be sent to prison

• District– traffic violations, all civil cases with claims up to $25,000,– most traffic tickets, and all misdemeanor criminal cases

» if found guilty, cannot be sentenced to more than one year in jail

• Probate– wills, – appoints guardians

C3.3(3)

• Courts of Appeal (middle level)– Hear appeals of lower court decisions

• Supreme Court (highest level)

C3.3(3)

• How We Pay for State and Local Gov’t