Understanding the Texas Constitution and Government

1. Texas Government 9.1

2. Texas Government 9.1 Learning Objectives • Identify how the Texas Constitution reflects the principle of limited government. • Compare the principles and concepts of the Texas Constitution to the U.S. Constitution. • Describe the structure and functions of the state legislative, executive, and judicial branches. • Describe how local government raises revenue to pay for services such as public education.

3. Texas Government 9.1 Key Terms • federalism • limited government • republicanism • separation of powers • checks and balances • bicameral • bill • interim committees • select committees • balanced budget • line-item-veto • martial law • pardon • comptroller • capital offense • grand jury • indictment • plea bargain • precincts • bonds • franchise tax

4. The Texas Constitution A constitution is a basic plan of government. It describes the parts of government, as well as their duties and powers. It also defines the rights of citizens. A constitution has several functions. It makes a government legitimate, or legal. This is important if people are to accept the government and obey its laws. It makes clear the duties of major officials. It also tells how voters may select them. One of the most important functions is to limit the power of government. Texas Constitutions Over Time The United States Constitution Comparing State and National Constitutions

5. The Texas Constitution Analyze Tables What is a common theme that has run throughout most Texas constitutions?

6. The Texas Constitution Written in 1787, the United States Constitution is a document that applies to all states.

7. Constitutional Change and Continuity Although Texans have made changes to their constitution over the years, they still rely on a government established by the 1876 Constitution. Like the United States Constitution, this document follows the principles of federalism. It gives certain jobs to the state government, but leaves others to the national or local governments. The Texas constitution has 17 articles. Each covers one broad topic. Each article is divided into sections. Sections deal with specific parts of the article. For example, Article 7 covers education. Section 1 of that article provides for the state’s public school system.

8. Constitutional Change and Continuity The Texas Bill of Rights Republicanism in the Constitution Three Branches of Government Changing the Constitution Votes for Change

9. Constitutional Change and Continuity The work of Texas legislators helps to balance out the power between the three branches of state government.

10. Constitutional Change and Continuity Analyze Charts What is an advantage of dividing power among three branches of government?

11. The Legislative Branch Like the U.S. Congress, the Texas legislature is bicameral. A bicameral congress has two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives is the larger chamber, with 150 members. The Senate is much smaller, with just 31 members. Qualifications for Legislators Working in the Legislature Leaders of the House and Senate Legislators Work Together

12. The Legislative Branch Members of the Texas Legislature sometimes meet with their constituents, the voters, in "town hall" style meetings.

13. The Legislative Branch Joe Straus became Speaker of the House of the Texas House of Representatives in 2009. The Speaker’s job is to maintain order during proceedings and to decide which committee will review a bill.

14. The Legislative Branch Analyze Tables To serve in the Texas legislature or the U.S. Congress, candidates must meet certain requirements. Would you be eligible to serve sooner in the Texas legislature or the U.S. Congress? Why?

15. Legislators at Work The legislature’s main task is to make the laws that run the state. To do this, it considers many bills. The legislature that met in 2013, for example, considered nearly 6,000 bills. It passed about 1,500 of these into law. Lawmakers must bring a bill into the legislature to make a new law or to change an existing one. There are five steps in the process that makes a bill into a law in Texas. Step One—Introducing a Bill Step Two—Committee Action Step Three—Floor Action Step Four—Conference Committee Final Step—The Governor’s Signature Passing Plans to Fund the State More Jobs of the Legislature

16. Legislators at Work Analyze Charts This chart shows the major steps through which bills pass to become laws in Texas. Why might the public be allowed to voice opinions at the hearings?

17. Legislators at Work In a conference committee, members from both the Senate and the House gather to combine similar bills into a single bill. Both chambers then vote on the bill.

18. Legislators at Work Governor Rick Perry signs a bill into law in 2009. Texas governors have the power to either approve or veto laws passed by the state legislature.

19. The Executive Branch The executive branch carries out the laws of the state. The governor is the chief executive, or head of the executive branch. He or she represents all the people of the state. Choosing the State’s Leader Shaping State Laws Public Safety and Government Appointments Special Powers of the Governor Other Powerful Elected Officials Secretary of State Statewide Boards and Commissions

20. The Executive Branch The governor of Texas is required to deliver a State of the State address at the start of every legislative session.

21. The Executive Branch The Texas National Guard is called upon by the governor to provide aid during a natural disaster. These members of the National Guard are organizing relief materials in Orange after Hurricane Ike. Apply Concepts Why is the National Guard part of the executive branch?

22. The Executive Branch Lieutenant Governor acts as both head of the Senate and interim governor when the governor is out of the state.

23. The Executive Branch The agriculture commissioner oversees rules and laws that affect farms and ranches. This 2012 photograph shows Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples examining an orange grown in San Juan.

24. The Executive Branch The Texas Secretary of State oversees voter registration and elections. In this photograph, former Texas Secretary of State chooses numbers at random to decide in which order proposed constitutional amendments will be voted on.

25. The Judicial Branch The judicial branch is composed of a system of courts. The role of the courts is to interpret the law and resolve legal disputes. The courts handle two categories of disputes: civil law and criminal law. Civil Law Criminal Law Determining Cases Texas’s Court System Types of Trial Courts Types of Appeals Courts

26. The Judicial Branch Courts are part of Texas’s judicial branch of government. They interpret the law and settle legal disputes in both civil and criminal law cases.

27. The Judicial Branch Students participate in a mock trial to learn more about the judicial branch. Hypothesize How might participating in mock trials help young people learn about the way government works?

28. The Judicial Branch Minor offenses and those punishable by fines are handled by Justice of the Peace courts.

29. The Judicial Branch Analyze Diagrams What court would hear a felony case? What court would hear misdemeanors?

30. Municipal Government Municipal government, led by the Mayor of the City, includes the governments that many Texans interact with the most: county government, city government, and special districts, such as independent school districts. These governments oversee services important to the quality of life all throughout Texas, such as roads, parks, and trash collection. Their work reflects the belief of many Texans that the best government is the one that is closest to the people.

31. Municipal Government County Level Major Sources of County Revenue City Level City Government Structures Major Sources of City Government Revenue Special Districts Governing and Funding Texas Public Schools

32. Municipal Government Analyze Maps Why does Texas have more counties than any other state?

33. Municipal Government The Travis County Commissioner’s Court meets. The county judge and commissioners determine the budget and tax rate for their county as well as oversee the building of roads, bridges, and public services.

34. Municipal Government Texas school districts receive funding from both the state and federal governments. They are required to spread this funding to guarantee the same level of education for all Texas students. Evaluate How does this law help or harm Texas schools?