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State Constitution

State Constitution. Roots of State Constitutions. people of each state can create the type of government they wish (limitations of U.S. Constitution) adopted in convention ratified by people. Parts of state constitutions: preamble bill of rights.

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State Constitution

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  1. State Constitution

  2. Roots of State Constitutions • people of each state can create the type of government they wish (limitations of U.S. Constitution) • adopted in convention • ratified by people

  3. Parts of state constitutions: • preamble • bill of rights

  4. articles providing for separation of powers • type of legislature (bicameral or unicameral) • executive department • independent judiciary with power of judicial review

  5. form and powers of local units of government • article on how to amend Constitution • miscellaneous procedures

  6. Rigidity of State Constitutions • More detailed than U.S. Constitution • Longer, less flexible • Prescriptive

  7. Limits discretion of public officials • Out of date • Limits lawmakers to act on problems • Constitutional amendments for changes

  8. Texas Constitution

  9. Texas • One of longest and most restrictive state constitutions • 2005 -- 432 Amendments • 93,000 words • reflects interests and concerns of original writers

  10. History • 1869 • constitutional convention held in 1868 • centralized state power for governor • lengthened gubernatorial term to 4 years • governor to appoint major state offices and judges

  11. annual legislative sessions • weak local government • centralized public school system

  12. Reflected little fear of centralized government power • fear was to later become the hallmark of Texas government • constitution ratified in 1869

  13. Era regarded as most corrupt and abusive in state’s history (E.J.Davis) • misappropriation of public funds • wasteful public programs

  14. landowner’s refusal to pay high property taxes • result of these actions was increased public debt

  15. Law and order collapsed • desperados • Native Americans

  16. Tyranny • militia and state police maintain powerful political machine

  17. Davis ousted by Coke and supporters singing “Yellow Rose of Texas”

  18. Reconstruction: • progressive programs • protected political and civil rights of former slaves • bitter memories for state -- humiliating, corrupt, extravagant, tyrannical

  19. Retrenchment and Reform • Democrats determined to strike “at the heart of big government” • Constitutional convention in 1873

  20. frugal tone reflected in final constitution • cut salaries for governing officials • placed strict limits on property taxes • Restricted state borrowing

  21. restricted power granted to government officials • most of governor’s powers stripped • term reduced to 2 years; salary cut

  22. attorney general and state judges elected rather than appointed by governor • legislative sessions to be held every 2 years with limited length of sessions

  23. legislative procedure detailed in constitution • restrictions placed on types of policies legislature might enact

  24. numerous public policies written into constitution • statute-like

  25. Local government strengthened • counties given many administrative and judicial functions of the state

  26. tone of convention was a reaction to abuse of state power by denying it • voters ratified state Constitution of 1876 • remains in use today

  27. Constitution Today • Not a living constitution • no flexibility built in • not serving current problems and concerns

  28. Bill of Rights and Fundamental Liberty • Texas Bill of Rights provides additional rights (Article I)

  29. prohibits sexual discrimination • guarantees victim’s rights • forbids imprisonment for debt

  30. forbids committing mentally ill for extended periods of time without jury trial • prohibits suspension of writ of habeas corpus

  31. protects homesteads • prohibits garnishment of wages (except child support)

  32. Statutory Law: • no polygraph tests for public employees • worker’s compensation for farm workers • expanded free speech for private employees

  33. Provides more protection than most other state constitutions

  34. Separation of Powers • Legislative branch • Executive branch • Judicial branch • system of checks and balances

  35. each branch can influence the other branches • each has separate functions • some sharing of power

  36. Legislative Branch • Bicameral legislative body • Senate -- 31 members • 4 year terms • House of Representatives -- 150 members • 2 year terms

  37. Have biennial regular sessions • 140 days in odd years • important legislation receives inadequate attention • many bills ignored • Special sessions called by governor

  38. Policy-making • Constitution through legislative statute • Statute-like details changed by constitutional amendment

  39. Distrust of legislature makes it difficult for state to adapt and change

  40. Executive Branch • Article IV -- governor heads executive branch • 4 year term • More severe constitutional restrictions on power of office

  41. Plural executive • divides executive powers among several offices: • governor • lieutenant governor • attorney general

  42. comptroller of public accounts • commissioner of general land office • railroad commissioners

  43. Powers granted specifically to governor • appointive powers • veto • item veto on appropriations • legislative special sessions

  44. Governor relatively weak office in Texas

  45. Courts • Article V fragments court system • 2 courts of final appeal • Texas Supreme court -- civil appeals cases • Court of Criminal Appeals --criminal appeals cases

  46. Other courts provided for by Constitution: • court of appeals • district, county, and justice of the peace courts

  47. Judges chosen in partisan elections • generally not desirable • becomes a politician • may not apply laws uniformly

  48. Local Government • Constitution provides for counties’ rigid organizational structure • provide many functions for state • Cities with population over 5,000 may adopt home-rule charters

  49. Suffrage • Function of state and local governments • Set suffrage requirements and administer elections (Article VI) • denies idiots, lunatics, paupers and those convicted of a felony the right to vote in state and municipal elections

  50. Lack of voter participation at state level • Local level election can include • initiatives • registered voters can propose statutory or constitutional changes by petition

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