Arizona Constitution

The American constitution plays a crucial role in delegating of laws in the country and it governs all citizens. On the other hand, a state’s constitution serves a similar purpose but only under the state’s jurisdiction. This constitution is the basis for other state laws including those of other sections of the state government. This implies that all the laws outlined by this constitution affect its organization, operations and maintenance. Actions carried out outside the constitutional boundaries are considered to be illegal. As such, the Arizona constitution has endeavored to effectively guide the State of Arizona by impacting on the state’s counties, schools, municipalities and corporations. This paper will discuss these distinct effects. In essence, the State of Arizona constitution sets boundaries for all laws within the state. In Article 12 of the Arizona constitution, the issue of counties has been clearly addressed. This article is detailed with guidelines regarding various aspects of counties. The county is hereby defined and its fundamental roles displayed. For instance in section 3 of this article, specifications are made on county officers, their election and term of office. A county is depicted to be inclusive of such officers like the sheriff, county attorney, treasurer, and superintendent of schools, a recorder and supervisors (Arizona State Legislature, 2007). These officers occupy these positions for a period of four years and this predicts when they cease to serve the people of Arizona. The article also specifies on the election of these officers, their qualifications, duties and powers. This ensures the effective use of the law when there are individuals or groups of people embarked on using corrupt and selfish means. Furthermore, citizens within a particular county are empowered to elect leaders of their choice and also in the enactment of county charters. Ideally, when the county’s citizens implore for the collection of taxes it must be done under the provision of the county charters. This protects citizens from unfair imposition of taxes. Municipalities are also subject to the jurisdiction of the Arizona constitution. As outlined by McClory (2001), Article 13 of the said constitutions dictates the conditions for the creation of municipalities. Section 1 of the article notes that the municipalities are not created by any special laws but by the existing legislature. The constitution mandates the minimal population for any city’s or town’s elevation into a municipality as 3,500 residents. Only then can these residents elect a board of freeholders which further develops a charter for the creation of the municipality. Again, the constitution explicitly leaves the role of enacting such crucial decisions to the citizens. Only after they have voted and a majority of the citizens having voted in favor of the charter is it passed. The Arizona constitution also gives municipalities the right to engage in business or entrepreneurial activities as stated in Article 13, section 5. This positively impacts on the municipality especially since such enterprises like garbage collection and waste disposal for all households can work positively in the municipal’s development. Apart from Municipalities, the Arizona constitution has also made provisions for other corporations. In Arizona State Legislature (2007) Article 14, Section 1 outlines a substantial definition of corporations to include associations and companies which possess powers and privileges not possessed by sole individuals or partnerships. In addition, these entities are individualized and empowered to sue others and be sued in return. This makes it simple for citizens who have qualms with such corporations to seek the intervention of the law since they are treated as such entities under the law. As constitution directs the procedures and requirements for the formation of corporations, it similarly warns that failure to incorporate these conditions will make corporations non viable and their claims inadmissible in courts. Corporations are also limited by this article in their capacity to fund political actions and endeavors. Article 15 also addresses the same issue of corporations only its concern is on public service commissions. It is in this regard that this Article establishes the Arizona Corporation Commission (Arizona Corporation Commission, 2010). As entities formed with the sole purpose of offering necessary services to citizens, the commissions perform the role of regulating and providing public utilities. The constitution also indicates that these corporations are under state regulation which aids in creating accountability and effective operations in these bodies. Finally, public education in Arizona is also another area which is strictly controlled by the Arizona constitution. This is inclusive of all types of schools be it elementary, middle or high schools. Included in this lot are also colleges and universities. In Article 11, these schools’ conduct and supervision is delegated to a board of education, superintendent of public instruction, among other governing bodies as per the law. The constitution has served citizens with low income earnings as it provides for the establishment of free schools. Furthermore, it also facilitates the acquisition of permanent state school funds which in Article 11, Section 8, should be derived from the sale of school lands, from estate shares and any bequests made to the state for educational purposes (Arizona State Legislature, 2010). Gifford and Hunter (2000) emphasize the integral role of constitutional provisions for school funding on the effectiveness of the public education system. Its impeccable endeavor to safeguard the wellbeing of the visually and hearing impaired has also ensured their appropriate treatment in their search for education.