Texas Constitution

How is the Texas Constitution changed?

• Amendments are whipped up by the Governor of Texas himself

• A majority vote in both the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas Senate

• A two-thirds majority in both the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas Senate, and approval from the majority of voters in a statewide election.

• Amendments are cooked up by a select group of appointed officials

Can you identify the structure of the Texas Constitution and give an example of a key component?

• The Texas Constitution is organized into a preamble, articles, and amendments.

• Imagine the Texas Constitution structured into titles, chapters, and sections.

• Think of the Texas Constitution as structured into paragraphs, sentences, and phrases.

• Visualize the Texas Constitution as structured into chapters, sections, and clauses.

Explore the rights and responsibilities in the Texas Constitution.

• The right to free healthcare

• Includes the right to public education, duty to pay taxes, and the right to bear arms.

• The responsibility to serve in the military

• The right to own a pet unicorn

How does the Texas Constitution compare to the US Constitution?

• The Texas Constitution is less detailed and has fewer amendments than the US Constitution.

• The Texas Constitution is longer, more detailed, and has more amendments than the US Constitution, with specific provisions on state governance.

• Both constitutions are unchanged by amendments and do not detail government structure or personal freedoms.

• The US Constitution has more detailed provisions on state governance and administration than the Texas Constitution.

Guess how many amendments have been made to the Texas Constitution?

• 300

• 700

• 100

• 507

How is the Texas Constitution amended and what role does the Texas Legislature play?

• By vetoing proposed changes

• Ignoring proposed amendments

• Approving amendments without consultation

• Gathering amendments for voter approval

What are the core principles of the Texas Constitution?

• Unpopular sovereignty, unlimited government, merging of powers, and no checks and balances

• Popular sovereignty, limited government, separation of powers, and checks and balances

How does federalism work in the Texas Constitution?

• Division of powers between the state and federal government.

• Powers are not divided between state and federal government.

• Division of powers between the state and local government.

• Complete control by the federal government.

What are the unique limitations on the power of the Texas government as outlined in its Constitution?

• Texas Constitution

• New York Constitution

• California Constitution

• Florida Constitution

How does the Texas Constitution protect everyone's rights and freedoms?

• Bill of Rights

• Emancipation Proclamation

• Declaration of Independence

• Preamble to the Constitution