Arizona Senate

The Arizona Senate is part of the Arizona Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Arizona. The Senate consists of 30 members representing an equal amount of constituencies across the state, with each district having average populations of 171,021 (2000 figures). Members serve two-year terms with term limits, limiting Senators to four terms (a total of eight years). Members of the Republican Party are currently in the majority in the Senate.

As with the Arizona House of Representatives, members to the Senate are elected from the same legislative districts as House members, however one Senator represents the constituency, while for the House there are two Representatives per district. This districting system is similar to those of the Idaho and Washington State Senate.

Like other upper houses of state and territorial legislatures and the federal U.S. Senate, the Senate can confirm or reject gubernatorial appointments to the state cabinet, commissions and boards.

The Senate convenes in the adjacent legislative chambers at the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix.

Leadership of the Senate

Arizona, along with Oregon, Maine and Wyoming, is one of the four U.S. states to have abolished the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, a position which for most upper houses of state legislatures and indeed for the U.S. Congress (with the Vice President) is the head of the legislative body.

In the Lieutenant Governor's constitutional absence, the President of the Senate presides over the body, appointing members to all of the Senate's committees and joint committees, and may create other committees and subcommittees if desired. In the Senate President's absence, the President Pro Tempore presides.

The current President of the Senate is Republican Tim Bee of District 30 (Tucson/Green Valley, Arizona) who recently announced his campaign to run for Congress in Arizona's 8th District against Gabrielle Giffords. The Senate Majority Leader is Thayer Verschoor of District 22 (Gilbert, Arizona). The Senate Minority Leader is Marsha Arzberger of District 25 (Willcox).

Leadership information

*cnote|a|Allen was selected to fill the vacancy left by the death of former senator Jake Flake, who died on June 08, 2008. [cite news|publisher=The Arizona Republic|date=2008-06-08|accessdate=2008-06-08|last=Reid|first=Betty|title=State Senator Jake Flake dies at Snowflake home|url=http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/06/08/20080608flakedies.html]

List of Representatives and Senators of Arizona Legislature by Districts

Miscellaneous facts

* Rajan Zed, acclaimed Hindu leader, read the first Hindu opening prayer on March 24, 2008.

ee also

*Arizona State Capitol
*Arizona Legislature
*Arizona House of Representatives

References

External links

* [http://www.azsenate.gov/ Arizona State Senate] official government website
* [http://az.billhop.com/ Billhop - Arizona legislative wiki]
* [http://www.vote-smart.org/official_state_legislator.php?type=office&criteria=upper&state_id=AZ Project Vote Smart - State Senate of Arizona]