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== Government == | == Government == | ||
Santiago's state government, which has been functioning since 1593, is located in Suriana, the state capital and the | {{Main|Government of Santiago}} | ||
Santiago's [[Government of Santiago|state government]], which has been functioning since 1593, is located in Suriana, the {{wp|state capital}} and the second-largest city in the state. However, its present form of government was established in 1619, reflecting the state's long-standing history and tradition of democratic governance. The state government is based on the principles of the {{wp|separation of powers}} and {{wp|checks and balances}}. It is organized into three distinct branches, the executive, legislative, and judicial, each with specific responsibilities and duties. | |||
=== Executive branch === | === Executive branch === | ||
{{multiple image | align = right | direction = horizontal | width1=135 |width2=135 | |||
|image1=Edwin Mario Rodríguez Espejo (Official Photo, 2018) Alejandra Vaca, Chamber of Senators of Bolivia.jpg| caption1=Matteo Castano, Governor | |||
|image2=Mirtha Natividad Arce Camacho (Official Photo, 2018) Alejandra Vaca, Chamber of Senators of Bolivia.jpg| caption2=Amari Ensenha, Lt. Governor | |||
}} | |||
The executive branch is one of the three branches of government in Santiago and is responsible for implementing and enforcing state laws and policies. It is headed by the [[Governor of Santiago|governor]], who is elected every four years by the citizens of Santiago and may serve a maximum of two terms. The governor is tasked with managing the state's resources and finances, as well as overseeing various departments and agencies that make up the governor's cabinet. These departments and agencies include the [[Santiago Department of Education|Department of Education]], the [[Santiago Department of Transportation|Department of Transportation]], and the [[Santiago Department of Health and Human Services|Department of Health and Human Services]], among others. | |||
Currently, the 56th Governor of Santiago is [[Matteo Castano]], who serves as the state's chief executive officer and commander-in-chief of the state's militia. The [[Lieutenant Governor of Santiago]] is [[Amari Ensenh]]a, who serves as president of the [[Santiago Senate]] and is first in the line of succession to the governor. The Attorney General is another key member of the executive branch, serving as the chief legal advisor to the governor and the State Legislature, as well as the head of the Department of Justice. In the event of a vacancy in all three executive offices of governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general, the Orator Princeps of the Santiago House of Emissaries assumes the role of governor. | |||
=== Legislative branch === | === Legislative branch === | ||
[[File:Missouri State Capitol - panoramio (1).jpg|thumb|left|250px|The Santiago State Capital in Suriana.]] | |||
Santiago's legislative branch is an essential part of its state government, tasked with creating laws and regulations that govern the state. The branch is known as the [[Santiago State Legislature]] and is composed of two houses: the [[Santiago Senate|Senate]] and the [[Santiago House of Emissaries|House of Emissaries]]. | |||
The Senate is the upper chamber of the legislature and is made up of 45 senators, each representing a different district in the state. Senators are elected to six-year terms, with a third of the Senate being up for election every two years. The Senate is responsible for passing laws and confirming executive appointments, among other duties. | |||
The House of Emissaries, on the other hand, is the lower chamber of the legislature, with 100 members representing districts throughout Santiago. The members of the House of Emissaries are elected every two years and serve staggered six-year terms. The House of Emissaries has the primary responsibility for initiating bills related to the appropriation of funds and revenue-raising measures. | |||
Together, the two houses of the Santiago State Legislature work to create laws that benefit the people of Santiago. The legislative process involves introducing bills, debating them in committee, and eventually voting on them in each house of the legislature. Once a bill is passed by both houses, it is sent to the governor for approval or veto. If the governor approves the bill, it becomes law, but if the governor vetoes it, the legislature may override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote in each house. | |||
=== Judicial branch === | === Judicial branch === | ||
Santiago's state court system is a vital component of the state's government structure. The court system comprises several different courts with varying jurisdictions, each with a unique role to play in administering justice in the state. One interesting aspect of the Santiago court system is the method of judicial selection. Santiago, along with [[Alexandria]] and [[Milan]], uses a legislative selection method for choosing judges. This means that the state legislature, rather than the Governor or a judicial nominating commission, is responsible for selecting judges. This method has been in use in Santiago since before it gained statehood and has remained a unique feature of the state's judiciary. | |||
At the highest level is the Santiago Supreme Court, which serves as the court of last resort for the state. Established in 1619, the Supreme Court has seven judgeships, each appointed and confirmed by the Senate. The court hears appeals from the lower courts, including the Court of Appeals and the Circuit Courts, and it may also issue advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by the Governor or the state legislature. | |||
The Court of Appeals of Santiago, established in 1974, is an intermediate appellate court that serves as the bridge between the lower courts and the Supreme Court. The court has 15 judges, each appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. These judges serve eight-year terms, and they hear appeals from the Circuit Courts, the County Courts, and administrative agencies. | |||
In addition to the appellate courts, Santiago's court system includes several trial courts. The Circuit Courts are the only trial courts with general jurisdiction in Santiago, and there is one circuit court in each of the state's 91 counties. Circuit court judges hear both criminal and civil cases and have the authority to hear appeals from the County Courts. The Santiago County Courts, on the other hand, have limited jurisdiction and handle civil disputes below a certain threshold, citizen disputes such as traffic offenses and misdemeanor criminal offenses, and minor monetary disputes. There is one county court in each county of the state. | |||
=== Local government === | === Local government === | ||
Santiago's local governments are responsible for governing their respective jurisdictions, as granted by the government of Santiago. The creation of these governments is outlined in both the Santiago Constitution and the Santiago Statutes. Local governments are established in Santiago through special acts of the Santiago State Legislature, and are given varying amounts of non-exclusive authority. | |||
There are four types of local governments in Santiago: counties, municipalities, school districts, and special districts. In some instances, municipal and county governments have merged into a consolidated government, while smaller municipalities can exist within a consolidated municipality/county. Multiple consolidated governments have existed in the past, though currently none exist, with most opting to revert to the standard model. Both counties and municipalities may have a legislative branch, which consists of either a board or council, and an executive branch, typically headed by a mayor or manager. Local police departments are also established within the jurisdictions of counties and municipalities, though violations are brought before a county court. Counties and municipalities are authorized to pass laws, levy taxes, and provide public services within their jurisdictions. | |||
In Santiago, all areas are located within a county, but only some have been incorporated into municipalities. Additionally, all municipalities are located within a county and are subject to the county's jurisdiction. In cases where a conflict arises between a county ordinance and a municipal ordinance, the municipal ordinance generally takes precedence within the municipality's borders. However, if the overlaying county has been designated a charter county by the Santiago State Legislature, the county's ordinances will take precedence. | |||
== Economy == | == Economy == | ||