Providence (state)

State of Providence
State
Flag
Nickname(s):  The Garden State (official) The Farmland; Land of Industry
Motto(s):  "Semper Fidelis" Always faithful
Map of Rizealand with Providence in red
Country	Rizealand
Before Statehood	Providence Territory
Capital (and largest city)	Winchester
Joined Federation	September 11, 1801 (5th)
Government
• Governor	Laura Wahl (NPC-D)
• Deputy Governor	Harvey Lowe (NPC-D)
• Legislature	Providence General Assembly
• Federal representation	Councilors Appointed Oscar Willis (NPC-ND) Elected Jordan Watts (TNC-CRP) Joel Dixon (TNC-SDP) Representatives 18 TNC (9 CRP; 9 SDP) 10 NPC (4 ND; 3 D; 3 G)
Area
• Total	155,730.39 km2 (60,127.84 sq mi)
Population  (2021)
• Total	3,337,791
• Density	21.43/km2 (55.5/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+10 (Central)
Abbreviation	PR
ISO 3166 code	RZ-PR
Website	www.pr.gov.rzl

Providence, known officially as the State of Providence and unofficially as "PR" or "Prov", is a state in northern Rizealand that is bordered by Cassier to the north, Lyhoming to the east, the Nehinaw Nation to the southeast, Fáel to the south, the Capital Territory to the southwest, and Charlotte to the west. Providence has a total area of 155,730.39 square kilometers, making it the sixth largest state and political division of Rizealand. Providence also has a population of 3,337,791, making it the eighth most populous state and political entity in Rizealand. Providence's capital and largest city is Winchester while its second largest city is South Bend.

Etymology

The "State of Providence" is named for the Providence Territory that it was formed from in 1801. The origins of the Providence Territory's name are disputed. Some scholars believe the name was inspired by General Robert Mason, who was responsible for the conquest and annexation of the Providence Territory. In a speech to his army, General Mason reportedly said that the then-Province of Charlotte was "land willed to us by the supreme hand of providence." That speech is believed to have led to the land being named the Providence Territory. Other scholars however have pointed to a letter between Mason and President Thomas Rogers where Mason calls the land "Province Land."

In early drafts of the act establishing the Providence Territory by the Central Assembly, the territory is referred to as the Province Territory except in one place where it is referred to as the "Providince Territory" in what appeared to be a typo. A clerk apparently corrected that typo to "Providence" before it was adopted and the name stuck. A few historians have doubted the credibility of Mason being the inspiration for the name Providence, suspecting the story may have been manufactured by members of the Central Assembly to avoid the embarrassment of having misspelled the name of a territory in their legislation. In response to the confusion, the Providence General Assembly passed a proclamation in 1981 that stated their state was named for the Sotirian concept of divine providence that they believe played a role in their state's founding.

Government and politics

Main article: Government of Providence (state)

The Governor's Mansion, workplace and residence of the Governor

The State Capitol, meeting place of the General Assembly

The Hall of Justice, meeting place of the High Court

The government of Providence is established and organized according to the Constitution of Providence. Because Providence is a constituent state of Rizealand, the powers of its government are subject to certain limits by the Articles of Federation including the requirement of a democratic form of government and prohibitions on forming alliances with foreign governments, declaring war, raising or maintaining armies, establishing forms of currency, and placing unlawful restraints on interstate and international trade. In addition to constitutional restraints on state power, the Articles also allow the Central Assembly to enact legislation that can supersede state laws when involving national security, interstate commerce, foreign affairs, immigration, and the public's welfare. Like the federal government of Rizealand, the government of Providence is divided into three branches of government.

The legislative branch consists of a unicameral General Assembly. The General Assembly's 50 seats are filled through closed party list proportional representation elections held every five years. As the state legislature, the General Assembly is responsible for enacting legislation and can do so with a simple majority, although a majority of two-thirds is required to enact super laws or remove government officials from office. The General Assembly is also responsible for approving the Governor's executive and judicial nominations.

The executive branch is headed by the Governor and Deputy Governor, who are the heads of state and and government elected in statewide two-round direct elections at the same time as the General Assembly for five-year terms. The Governor is responsible for signing legislation into law (although the General Assembly can override her veto with a simple majority), nominating executive agency heads and judges, and enforcing the laws of the state.

The judicial branch consists of the High Court, Court of Appeals, circuit courts, and municipal courts which have limited jurisdiction over misdemeanors, small civil cases, family, juvenile, and probate cases that arise within their geographic jurisdiction. There are also specialized courts including the Providence Tax Court and Providence Court of Claims. Justices and judges of the High Court and Court of Appeals are nominated by the Governor and appointed for lifetime terms by the General Assembly. Judges of the Tax Court and Court of Claims are nominated by the Governor and appointed by the General Assembly for 10 year terms. Judges of the circuit courts and municipal court magistrates are elected in two-round direct elections for five-year terms.

There are also independent agencies and commissions established by state super laws that do not neatly fit into any branch of government, as they often enforce state laws (executive), issue rules and regulations (legislative), and adjudicate cases or claims (judicial). While their agency heads or commission members are usually nominated or appointed by the Governor, they can only be removed from office through impeachment and removal by the General Assembly.

Providence has a common law legal system with some Estmerish influences. In addition to the protections of the Articles of Federation, the Providence Constitution also establishes additional protections and gives citizens the right to recall state officials, refer legislation to a referendum vote, enact legislation via an initiative vote, and approve amendments to the state constitution.