Washington County, Maryland is included in the Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA Combined Statistical Area. The closes states to Washington County is west Virginia, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Tennessee. The western portions of the Province of Maryland (including present Washington County) were incorporated into Prince George's County in 1696. This original county included six current counties. The first to be created was Frederick, separated from Prince George's County in 1748. Following independence, the sovereign State of Maryland formed Washington County on September 6, 1776, by the division of Frederick County. At the same time, a portion
Government of the State of Washington leadership position in the Senate. The other legislative leaders, such as the majority and minority leaders are elected by their respective party caucuses. Its session laws are published in the "Laws of Washington", which in turn have been codified in the "Revised Code of Washington" (RCW). The Washington Supreme Court is the highest court in the state. It has original jurisdiction of petitions against state officers, and can review decisions of lower courts if the money or value of property involved exceeds $200. Direct Supreme Court review of a trial court decision is permitted if the action involves a state