Hamilton
The State of Hamilton | |
|---|---|
 Flag | |
| Motto: "The Great Northwest" | |
 Hamilton highlighted in Ibica | |
| Capital | Vermont |
| Largest city | Underwood |
| Official languages | English |
| Demonym(s) | Hamiltonite |
| Government | |
• Governor | Suzanna Martinez |
| Legislature | Congress |
| Senate | |
| House of Representatives | |
| Establishment | |
• Territory Established | March 3rd, 1701 |
• Statehood | January 1, 1912 |
| Area | |
• Total | 940,259 km2 (363,036 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• 2015 census | 3,335,907 |
| GDP (nominal) | 2015 estimate |
• Total | $126,000,000,000 |
• Per capita | $37,770 |
Hamilton is a state located in the northwestern region of Ibica. Hamilton is the 2nd larges and least populous of the Ibican States. It is bordered by Calahan to the south, the Pherigan states of Cumberland, Jefferson, and Mentone to the west, the Bay of Albion to the north and east, and has maritime borders with Haviland and Petra. Vermont is the state's capital and Underwood is its largest city. The Underwood metropolitan area, with an estimated population of 1,169,213 in 2018, is the most populous metropolitan area in Hamilton. Hamilton's second largest metropolitan area is the Vermont metropolitan area, with an estimated population of 837,331 in 2018.
Hamilton was established as a federal territory after Albion joined the Ibican Federation. Hamilton became Ibica's newest state on January 1st, 1912. Hamilton is defined by a wide range of elevations and landscapes. From South to north, Hamilton's elevation descends from the Brady Range to the Albion coastal plain. Most of the state falls in the humid subtropical climate zone; however, the southern, mountainous part of the state has a subtropical highland climate.
Economy and infrastructure
According to the 2012 Bureau of Economic Analysis report, Hamilton's gross state product was $126 billion. The state makes active efforts through Hamilton Grown, an internet-based recruitment program, to find jobs for young people educated in Hamilton who have emigrated but may wish to return.
As of November 2015, the state's unemployment rate was 4.0%. The composition of Hamilton's economy differs significantly from that of other states with most activity in tourism, agriculture, and energy extraction; and little in anything else.
The mineral extraction industry and travel and tourism sector are the main drivers behind Hamilton's economy. The federal government owns about 50% of its landmass, while 6% is controlled by the state. Total taxable values of mining production in Hamilton for 2001 was over $6.7 billion. The tourism industry accounts for over $2 billion in revenue for the state.
In 2002, more than six million people visited Hamilton's national parks and monuments. The key tourist attractions in Hamilton include Hamilton Lake National Park and Crumpton National Forest
Historically, agriculture has been an important component of Hamilton's economy. Its overall importance to the performance of Hamilton's economy has waned. However, agriculture is still an essential part of Hamilton's culture and lifestyle. The main agricultural commodities produced in Hamilton include livestock (beef), hay, sugar beets, grain (wheat and barley), and wool. More than 91% of land in Hamilton is classified as rural.
Taxes
Unlike most other states, Hamilton does not levy an individual or corporate income tax. In addition, Hamilton does not assess any tax on retirement income earned and received from another state. Hamilton has a state sales tax of 4%. Counties have the option of collecting an additional 1% tax for general revenue and a 1% tax for specific purposes, if approved by voters. Food for human consumption is not subject to sales tax. There also is a county lodging tax that varies from 2% to 5%. The state collects a use tax of 5% on items purchased elsewhere and brought into Hamilton. All property tax is based on the assessed value of the property and Hamilton's Department of Revenue's Ad Valorem Tax Division supports, trains, and guides local government agencies in the uniform assessment, valuation and taxation of locally assessed property. "Assessed value" means taxable value; "taxable value" means a percent of the fair market value of property in a particular class. Statutes limit property tax increases. For county revenue, the property tax rate cannot exceed 12 mills (or 1.2%) of assessed value. For cities and towns, the rate is limited to 8 mills (0.8%). With very few exceptions, state law limits the property tax rate for all governmental purposes.
Personal property held for personal use is tax-exempt. Inventory if held for resale, pollution control equipment, cash, accounts receivable, stocks and bonds are also exempt. Other exemptions include property used for religious, educational, charitable, fraternal, benevolent and government purposes and improvements for handicapped access. Mine lands, underground mining equipment, and oil and gas extraction equipment are exempt from property tax but companies must pay a gross products tax on minerals and a severance tax on mineral production.
Hamilton does not collect inheritance taxes. There is limited estate tax related to federal estate tax collection.
Transportation
The largest airport in Hamilton is Underwood International Airport. Two interstate highways and five Ibican Routes pass through Hamilton. In addition, the state is served by the Hamilton state highway system.
Interstate 5 enters the state south of Vermont and runs north, intersecting Interstate 70 in Vermont. It continues north and ends in Underwood. Interstate 70 crosses the Calahan border west of Florence, Calahan and runs west through the southern third of the state, passing through Vermont.
Government and politics
State government
Hamilton's Constitution established three branches of government: the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
The Hamilton State Legislature comprises a House of Representatives with 75 members and a Senate with 30 members.
The executive branch is headed by the governor and includes a secretary of state, auditor, treasurer and superintendent of public instruction. Hamilton does not have a lieutenant governor. Instead the secretary of state stands first in the line of succession.
Judicial system
Hamilton's highest court is the Supreme Court of Hamilton, with five justices presiding over appeals from the state's lower courts. Hamilton is unusual in that it does not have an intermediate appellate court, like most states. This is largely attributable to the state's population and correspondingly lower caseload. Appeals from the state district courts go directly to the Hamilton Supreme Court. Hamilton also has state circuit courts (formerly county courts), of limited jurisdiction, which handle certain types of cases, such as civil claims with lower dollar amounts, misdemeanor criminal offenses, and felony arraignments. Circuit court judges also commonly hear small claims cases as well.
Education
Public education is directed by the state superintendent of public instruction, an elected state official. Educational policies are set by the State Board of Education, a nine-member board appointed by the governor. The constitution prohibits the state from establishing curriculum and textbook selections; these are the prerogatives of local school boards. The Hamilton School for the Deaf was the only in-state school dedicated to supporting deaf students in Hamilton, but it closed in the summer of 2000.
Higher education
Hamilton has two public four-year institutions, the University of Hamilton in Vermont and the University of Hamilton at Underwood and one private four-year college, Denver College. In addition, there are ten two-year community colleges spread throughout the state.