How was New York governed?

Executive branch:

* The Governor of New York is the head of the executive branch and of the state. The governor is elected for a four-year term and is responsible for executing the laws and policies of the state.

* The Lieutenant Governor of New York is the president of the New York State Senate, which serves as the upper house of the state legislature.

* The Attorney General of New York is the state's chief legal officer and represents the state in court.

* The Comptroller of New York is responsible for auditing state finances and accounting for state funds.

* The State Treasurer of New York is responsible for investing and managing state funds.

Legislative branch:

* The New York State Legislature is the state's lawmaking body, and it consists of two houses: the New York State Senate (62 members) and the New York State Assembly (150 members). The legislature drafts new laws and modifies existing laws and policies before sending them to the governor for review or veto.

Judicial branch:

* The New York Court of Appeals (also known as the Court of Appeals for the State of New York) is the state's highest judicial authority and interprets laws passed by the legislature.

* Below the Court of Appeals are trial courts: New York Supreme Court, county courts, family courts, certain city courts, and numerous town and village courts. Judges for all these courts are nominated by the Governor upon consideration of recommendations from screening committees or judicial nominating commissions and subject to confirmation by the New York State Senate.