Governance
See also: Category:Government of Washington (state)The bicameral Washington State Legislature is the state's legislative branch. The state legislature is composed of a lower House of Representatives and an upper State Senate. The state is divided into 49 legislative districts of equal population, each of which elects two representatives and one senator. Representatives serve two-year terms, whilst senators serve for four years. There are no term limits. Currently, the Democratic Party holds majorities in both chambers.
Washington's executive branch is headed by a governor elected for a four-year term. The current governor until January 2013 is Christine Gregoire, a Democrat who has served since 2005. The governor-elect is Jay Inslee, a Democrat.
The Washington Supreme Court is the highest court in the state. Nine justices serve on the bench and are elected statewide.
Read more about this topic: Washington (state)
Famous quotes containing the word governance:
“He yaf me al the bridel in myn hand,
To han the governance of hous and land,
And of his tonge and his hand also;”
—Geoffrey Chaucer (1340?–1400)