Texas Government

The state government makes laws for the whole state of Texas. The head of the state government is the governor. Texas' governor is elected by the people once every four years. Because of an amendment passed in 1974, governors in Texas may be elected to serve the people for an unlimited number of four-year terms. The governor has many men and women to help make and enforce the laws of the state.

Who is in charge of the state government?

• the president

• the governor

• the mayor

• the judge

Who is the governor of Texas?

• Greg Abbott

• Rick Perry

• Sylvester Turner

• Joe Biden

The legislative branch is the part of the government that makes the laws. The legislature in Texas has two parts., the House of Representatives and the Senate. Texans vote for the people in the House of Representatives and the Senate. There are 150 representatives who are elected to serve two-year terms, and 31 senators who are elected to serve four-year terms. These 181 legislators are chosen by the people to make the laws for the state of Texas. They meet for about five months every other year to discuss the state's budget, education, and crime, and how to make Texas a better place to live. Like the governor, Texas' legislators can be elected to an unlimited number of terms.

During their terms in Texas' state government, the representatives and senators discuss new laws for the state. Citizens can also contact the legislators by phone, mail, e-mail, or in person to suggest new laws. The legislative branch is also responsible for deciding how to pay for schools or build new roads. Legislators create a budget for running all of the programs and services the state of Texas needs. Legislators must be excellent listeners who are able to make good choices for the citizens they represent.

All laws start as bills in the legislature. To become a law, a bill must be voted on and win a majority of votes in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. As a final step, the approved bill must be signed into law by the governor.

After reading about the legislative branch, you get the idea that

• senators and representatives are chosen by the governor.

• only the senators are responsible for making the state's laws.

• the elected representatives serve their term for life.

• citizens can contact their senators and representatives to suggest new laws.

in 1836, the Republic of Texas wrote and adopted the first of many constitutions used throughout Texas' history. Texas' present constitution was written in 1876. Like the other 49 states in the Union, the state constitution outlines the way the state's government will be run.

Although it has never been completely rewritten since 1876, the constitution has been amended, or changed more than 350 times. Once the legislature has approved a constitutional amendment, it must be voted on by the citizens. A majority of votes must approve the amendment before it can take effect.

Some of the most important amendments to Texas' constitution include giving citizens the right to suggest or change laws through the voting process; granting women, blacks, and Native Americans the right to vote; and establishing a public school system that is paid for by the taxes people pay on the property they own.

After reading about the Texas' state constitution, you learn that

• the same constitution that was adopted in 1836 is still in effect today.

• it has been amended, or changed, several times.

• the constitution does not give women or Native Americans the right to vote. the legislature can change the constitution any time.

When you read about the United States Constitution, you learned that each of the three branches of the state government uses its powers to check and balance the other two branches. Remember, balance in the three branches of government is important so that one branch doesn't become too powerful.

For example, if the legislative branch voted to build a park in your neighborhood, but the executive branch wanted to use that land for something else, the governor could use his or her veto power and refuse to approve the park. The House of Representatives and the Senate could vote on the park again. If two-thirds of the representatives and senators agree, the park could be built without the governor's signature.

A system of checks and balances is important in government because

• the governor needs to have the most power

• the richest people need the most power

• the governor wants to veto all the laws

• it keeps one branch from becoming too powerful

The governor is the head of the state, but he or she cannot be everywhere. For this reason, Texas has been divided into 254 smaller sections, or counties. Each county is run by a county judge or four commissioners. These people are elected by the citizens of the county. County governments are in charge of running the schools, public hospitals, libraries, jails, and parks within their counties. County sheriffs are responsible for law enforcement.

There are many cities and towns within each of Texas' counties. Most cities and towns elect a mayor or city manager and a group of people to serve on the city council. These people help make the county's cities and towns run smoothly.

Who is responsible for law enforcement in each of Texas' 254 counties?

• the citizens of each county

• the sheriffs in each county

• the mayor of each county

• The city manager and the city council in each county

Who is the mayor of Houston?

• Greg Abbott

• Rick Perry

• Sylvester Turner

• Joe Biden

How many branches of the government are there?

• 5

• 4

• 3

• 2

Who is the president of the United States?

• Greg Abbott

• Donald Trump

• Sylvester Turner

• Joe Biden