Federal

State

Local

County

Federal

State

Local

County

A public institution with the authority to formulate, adopt, implement and enforce public policies(laws)for a society.

The process of policymaking that involves conflict and cooperation between political parties and other groups that seek to elect government officials, or to influence those officials when they make public policy, such as enacting and interpreting laws.

Government action designed to meet a public need or goal as determined by a legislative body or other authorized officials

The values, attitudes, traditions, habits, and general behavioral patterns that develop over time and shape the politics and public policy of a particular region

A public institution with the authority to formulate, adopt, implement and enforce public policies(laws)for a society.

The process of policymaking that involves conflict and cooperation between political parties and other groups that seek to elect government officials, or to influence those officials when they make public policy, such as enacting and interpreting laws.

Government action designed to meet a public need or goal as determined by a legislative body or other authorized officials

The values, attitudes, traditions, habits, and general behavioral patterns that develop over time and shape the politics and public policy of a particular region

A public institution with the authority to formulate, adopt, implement and enforce public policies(laws)for a society.

The process of policymaking that involves conflict and cooperation between political parties and other groups that seek to elect government officials, or to influence those officials when they make public policy, such as enacting and interpreting laws.

Government action designed to meet a public need or goal as determined by a legislative body or other authorized officials

The values, attitudes, traditions, habits, and general behavioral patterns that develop over time and shape the politics and public policy of a particular region

A public institution with the authority to formulate, adopt, implement and enforce public policies(laws)for a society.

The process of policymaking that involves conflict and cooperation between political parties and other groups that seek to elect government officials, or to influence those officials when they make public policy, such as enacting and interpreting laws.

Government action designed to meet a public need or goal as determined by a legislative body or other authorized officials

The values, attitudes, traditions, habits, and general behavioral patterns that develop over time and shape the politics and public policy of a particular region

Double executive

Executive

Judicial

Legislative

Individualistic

Moralistic

Traditionalistic

Politionalistic

• Government should be limited, and its intervention in the private activities of its citizens kept to a minimum. 

• The primary function of government is to assure the stability of a society, so that individuals can pursue their own interests.

• Government is controlled by a small select few of individuals.

Regards politics as one of the “greatest activities of man in his search for a good society”. Shaped by New Englanders with little immigration to Texas. Originated in Puritan New England.

argues politics and government function as a marketplace.(The government is not concerned with creating a good or moral society). Shaped by Mid-Atlantic immigrants. Emerged throughout the 19th century westward expansion.

• Politics is the pursuit of the common good.

• Views the government in a positive light.

• This subculture believes it is the government’s responsibility to promote the general welfare.

• Government should actively intervene to enhance the social and economic lives of its citizens.

• Government is the responsibility of every individual.(helps individuals)

• This tradition produces a large number of “amateur” or “nonprofessional” political activists and officeholders and has little tolerance for political corruption.(bring new ideals)

• Government should be limited, and its intervention in the private activities of its citizens kept to a minimum. 

• The primary function of government is to assure the stability of a society, so that individuals can pursue their own interests.

• Government is controlled by a small select few of individuals.

Regards politics as one of the “greatest activities of man in his search for a good society”. Shaped by New Englanders with little immigration to Texas. Originated in Puritan New England.

argues politics and government function as a marketplace.(The government is not concerned with creating a good or moral society). Shaped by Mid-Atlantic immigrants. Emerged throughout the 19th century westward expansion.

• Politics is the pursuit of the common good.

• Views the government in a positive light.

• This subculture believes it is the government’s responsibility to promote the general welfare.

• Government should actively intervene to enhance the social and economic lives of its citizens.

• Government is the responsibility of every individual.(helps individuals)

• This tradition produces a large number of “amateur” or “nonprofessional” political activists and officeholders and has little tolerance for political corruption.(bring new ideals)

• Government should be limited, and its intervention in the private activities of its citizens kept to a minimum. 

• The primary function of government is to assure the stability of a society, so that individuals can pursue their own interests.

• Government is controlled by a small select few of individuals.

argues that political power should be concentrated in the hands of a few elite citizens who belong to established families or influential social groups. Shaped by Southern immigrants to Texas. Government is a vehicle to maintain the status quo. Grew out of the Old South.

• Elites may enact policies that benefit the general public, but that is secondary to its interests and objectives(elites benefit elites, no mass participation-which would lead to change)

• Family and social relationships form the basis for maintaining this elite structure rather that mass political participation 

• In many places when this system existed it tried to reduce or eliminate the participation of the general public.(segregation of races and JIm crow laws)

• Political parties may exist, but they were minimally importance.

• Politics is the pursuit of the common good.

• Views the government in a positive light.

• This subculture believes it is the government’s responsibility to promote the general welfare.

• Government should actively intervene to enhance the social and economic lives of its citizens.

• Government is the responsibility of every individual.(helps individuals)

• This tradition produces a large number of “amateur” or “nonprofessional” political activists and officeholders and has little tolerance for political corruption.(bring new ideals)

Individualistic

Moralistic

Traditionalistic

True

False

Cotton

Cattle

Timber

Oil and Gas

Fishing

• Leads nation in cattle production, as well as sheep, goats, wool, and mohair

• Leads country in exported cotton

• Based in East Texas/nation’s tenth largest producer

• Drought and wildfires have taken a toll

• Accounts for 40% of total U.S. oil production and 30% of natural gas production

• New emphasis on alternative energy

• Leads nation in cattle production, as well as sheep, goats, wool, and mohair

• Leads country in exported cotton

• Based in East Texas/nation’s tenth largest producer

• Drought and wildfires have taken a toll

• Accounts for 40% of total U.S. oil production and 30% of natural gas production

• New emphasis on alternative energy

• Leads nation in cattle production, as well as sheep, goats, wool, and mohair

• Leads country in exported cotton

• Based in East Texas/nation’s tenth largest producer

• Drought and wildfires have taken a toll

• Accounts for 40% of total U.S. oil production and 30% of natural gas production

• New emphasis on alternative energy

• Leads nation in cattle production, as well as sheep, goats, wool, and mohair

• Leads country in exported cotton

• Based in East Texas/nation’s tenth largest producer

• Drought and wildfires have taken a toll

• Accounts for 40% of total U.S. oil production and 30% of natural gas production

• New emphasis on alternative energy

• NAFTA(North American Free Trade Association)(Trade alliance between Mexico, U.S., and Canada) lowered trade barriers in 1994

• Economy sensitive to Mexican economy(large hispanic population)

• Dominated by the Catholic Church

• Waco, Austin, San Antonio

• Area dominated by state government, universities, high-tech, tourism, military

• Democratic and Republican bases

• Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex

• Explosive growth in recent decades

• Republican stronghold in suburban and rural areas

• Racially segregated(where most plantations where; large african american population. Stricter Jim Crow Laws)

• Dominated by evangelical Christianity

• Republican “solid south”

• Louisiana to Rio Grande

• Petrochemicals fundamental to economy

• Democratic and Republican ties

• NAFTA(North American Free Trade Association)(Trade alliance between Mexico, U.S., and Canada) lowered trade barriers in 1994

• Economy sensitive to Mexican economy(large hispanic population)

• Dominated by the Catholic Church

• Economy based on agriculture, Ogallala Aquifer

• Dominated by white evangelical Christians

• Republican base

• Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex

• Explosive growth in recent decades

• Republican stronghold in suburban and rural areas

• Racially segregated(where most plantations where; large african american population. Stricter Jim Crow Laws)

• Dominated by evangelical Christianity

• Republican “solid south”

• Louisiana to Rio Grande

• Petrochemicals fundamental to economy

• Democratic and Republican ties

• NAFTA(North American Free Trade Association)(Trade alliance between Mexico, U.S., and Canada) lowered trade barriers in 1994

• Economy sensitive to Mexican economy(large hispanic population)

• Dominated by the Catholic Church

• Economy based on agriculture, Ogallala Aquifer

• Dominated by white evangelical Christians

• Republican base

• Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex

• Explosive growth in recent decades

• Republican stronghold in suburban and rural areas

• Racially segregated(where most plantations where; large african american population. Stricter Jim Crow Laws)

• Dominated by evangelical Christianity

• Republican “solid south”

• Louisiana to Rio Grande

• Petrochemicals fundamental to economy

• Democratic and Republican ties

• NAFTA(North American Free Trade Association)(Trade alliance between Mexico, U.S., and Canada) lowered trade barriers in 1994

• Economy sensitive to Mexican economy(large hispanic population)

• Dominated by the Catholic Church

• Economy based on agriculture, Ogallala Aquifer

• Dominated by white evangelical Christians

• Republican base

• Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex

• Explosive growth in recent decades

• Republican stronghold in suburban and rural areas

• Racially segregated(where most plantations where; large african american population. Stricter Jim Crow Laws)

• Dominated by evangelical Christianity

• Republican “solid south”

• Louisiana to Rio Grande

• Petrochemicals fundamental to economy

• Democratic and Republican ties

• NAFTA(North American Free Trade Association)(Trade alliance between Mexico, U.S., and Canada) lowered trade barriers in 1994

• Economy sensitive to Mexican economy(large hispanic population)

• Dominated by the Catholic Church

• Economy based on agriculture, Ogallala Aquifer

• Dominated by white evangelical Christians

• Republican base

• Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex

• Explosive growth in recent decades

• Republican stronghold in suburban and rural areas

• Racially segregated(where most plantations where; large african american population. Stricter Jim Crow Laws)

• Dominated by evangelical Christianity

• Republican “solid south”

• Louisiana to Rio Grande

• Petrochemicals fundamental to economy

• Democratic and Republican ties

• NAFTA(North American Free Trade Association)(Trade alliance between Mexico, U.S., and Canada) lowered trade barriers in 1994

• Economy sensitive to Mexican economy(large hispanic population)

• Dominated by the Catholic Church

• Economy based on agriculture, Ogallala Aquifer

• Dominated by white evangelical Christians

• Republican base

• Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex

• Explosive growth in recent decades

• Republican stronghold in suburban and rural areas

• Racially segregated(where most plantations where; large african american population. Stricter Jim Crow Laws)

• Dominated by evangelical Christianity

• Republican “solid south”

• Louisiana to Rio Grande

• Petrochemicals fundamental to economy

• Democratic and Republican ties

Energy

High Technology

Services

Agriculture

Cotton

• 37 of the 48 largest corporations are energy related

• Identifying alternative fuel strategies (wind)

• Employs one-fourth of all Texas workers

• Most don’t include benefits and pay low wages

• Research, development, manufacturing, and marketing of electric products

• Biotechnology: use of living organisms to make products or modified processes.

• Ranks second in production in the U.S.

• Number of farms and ranches has decreased

• Some industries adversely affected by NAFTA

• maquiladoras

• 37 of the 48 largest corporations are energy related

• Identifying alternative fuel strategies (wind)

• Employs one-fourth of all Texas workers

• Most don’t include benefits and pay low wages

• Research, development, manufacturing, and marketing of electric products

• Biotechnology: use of living organisms to make products or modified processes.

• Ranks second in production in the U.S.

• Number of farms and ranches has decreased

• Some industries adversely affected by NAFTA

• maquiladoras

• 37 of the 48 largest corporations are energy related

• Identifying alternative fuel strategies (wind)

• Employs one-fourth of all Texas workers

• Most don’t include benefits and pay low wages

• Research, development, manufacturing, and marketing of electric products

• Biotechnology: use of living organisms to make products or modified processes.

• Ranks second in production in the U.S.

• Number of farms and ranches has decreased

• Some industries adversely affected by NAFTA

• maquiladoras

• 37 of the 48 largest corporations are energy related

• Identifying alternative fuel strategies (wind)

• Employs one-fourth of all Texas workers

• Most don’t include benefits and pay low wages

• Research, development, manufacturing, and marketing of electric products

• Biotechnology: use of living organisms to make products or modified processes.

• Ranks second in production in the U.S.

• Number of farms and ranches has decreased

• Some industries adversely affected by NAFTA

• maquiladoras

• 37 of the 48 largest corporations are energy related

• Identifying alternative fuel strategies (wind)

• Employs one-fourth of all Texas workers

• Most don’t include benefits and pay low wages

• Research, development, manufacturing, and marketing of electric products

• Biotechnology: use of living organisms to make products or modified processes.

• Ranks second in production in the U.S.

• Number of farms and ranches has decreased

• Some industries adversely affected by NAFTA

• maquiladoras

• 37 of the 48 largest corporations are energy related

• Identifying alternative fuel strategies (wind)

• Employs one-fourth of all Texas workers

• Most don’t include benefits and pay low wages

• Research, development, manufacturing, and marketing of electric products

• Biotechnology: use of living organisms to make products or modified processes.

• Ranks second in production in the U.S.

• Number of farms and ranches has decreased

• Some industries adversely affected by NAFTA

• maquiladoras

Undocumented Immigrants

Water

Education

• 1986, Immigration Reform and Control Act

• Texas DREAM Act(2001)

• Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002

• Secure Fence Act

• Deferred Action for Children Arrivals (DACA)

• Texas Water Development Board(1957)

• Drought, fracking having caused water shortage

• 60% of the students are economically disadvantaged

• Ranks 41st among the 50 states in spending per student

•  Given C- in terms of achievement and school finance

• College educators complain many students are poorly prepared

• Teacher shortage

School funding

1. Federal

2. State

3. Property

• 1986, Immigration Reform and Control Act

• Texas DREAM Act(2001)

• Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002

• Secure Fence Act

• Deferred Action for Children Arrivals (DACA)

• Texas Water Development Board(1957)

• Drought, fracking having caused water shortage

• 60% of the students are economically disadvantaged

• Ranks 41st among the 50 states in spending per student

•  Given C- in terms of achievement and school finance

• College educators complain many students are poorly prepared

• Teacher shortage

School funding

1. Federal

2. State

3. Property

• 1986, Immigration Reform and Control Act

• Texas DREAM Act(2001)

• Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002

• Secure Fence Act

• Deferred Action for Children Arrivals (DACA)

• Texas Water Development Board(1957)

• Drought, fracking having caused water shortage

• 60% of the students are economically disadvantaged

• Ranks 41st among the 50 states in spending per student

•  Given C- in terms of achievement and school finance

• College educators complain many students are poorly prepared

• Teacher shortage

School funding

1. Federal

2. State

3. Property

• Division of power between national government and regional governments

whatever powers that the constitution did not give to the federal government are reserved/go to the state and then the people. The federal governments powers are going to be listed in the constitution

• A system of states within a state

Supremacy clause argues whenever there’s a conflict between the federal and state governments the federal government will always win. Whenever theres a conflict with Supreme Law(which is federal law or the walls by the federal government) a state cannot challenge it.

• Division of power between national government and regional governments

whatever powers that the constitution did not give to the federal government are reserved/go to the state and then the people. The federal governments powers are going to be listed in the constitution

• A system of states within a state

Supremacy clause argues whenever there’s a conflict between the federal and state governments the federal government will always win. Whenever theres a conflict with Supreme Law(which is federal law or the walls by the federal government) a state cannot challenge it.

• Division of power between national government and regional governments

whatever powers that the constitution did not give to the federal government are reserved/go to the state and then the people. The federal governments powers are going to be listed in the constitution

• A system of states within a state

Supremacy clause argues whenever there’s a conflict between the federal and state governments the federal government will always win. Whenever theres a conflict with Supreme Law(which is federal law or the walls by the federal government) a state cannot challenge it.

• Division of power between national government and regional governments

whatever powers that the constitution did not give to the federal government are reserved/go to the state and then the people. The federal governments powers are going to be listed in the constitution

• A system of states within a state

Supremacy clause argues whenever there’s a conflict between the federal and state governments the federal government will always win. Whenever theres a conflict with Supreme Law(which is federal law or the walls by the federal government) a state cannot challenge it.

Delegated Powers

Implied Powers

Cool Powers

are written in the constitution(Executive, Legislative, and Judicial: make up our national government)

• Inferred by the constitutional authority of Congress

• Implied powers are not written in the constitution(create a bank and regulate money/national bank)

Judicial

are written in the constitution(Executive, Legislative, and Judicial: make up our national government)

• Inferred by the constitutional authority of Congress

• Implied powers are not written in the constitution(create a bank and regulate money/national bank)

Judicial

States may not combine or divide without permission

Each state guaranteed two senators and at least one member in the House(larger states have more representation in the U.S. house of representation).

(Texas has 36)

Each state has electoral votes equal to the number in the U.S. senators and representatives(38=270(electoral))

• Federal protection

• Texas crimes will be tried in Texas

• Article IV:Looks at the U.S. Constitution and relationship with the states

Fourteenth Amendment: state may deprive persons of life, liberty, or property without due process of law

• Article I, Section 10 of the U.S. Constitution(a limit on the states is that it cannot coin their money. Not have a Texas dollar bill again)

Anyone who moves to Texas from a different state cannot be viewed any differently and/or treated differently.

argues if one state recognizes something, then all states must recognize it.

Looks at the U.S. Constitution and relationship with the states

Fourteenth Amendment: state may deprive persons of life, liberty, or property without due process of law

• Article I, Section 10 of the U.S. Constitution(a limit on the states is that it cannot coin their money. Not have a Texas dollar bill again)

Anyone who moves to Texas from a different state cannot be viewed any differently and/or treated differently.

argues if one state recognizes something, then all states must recognize it.

Looks at the U.S. Constitution and relationship with the states

Fourteenth Amendment: state may deprive persons of life, liberty, or property without due process of law

• Article I, Section 10 of the U.S. Constitution(a limit on the states is that it cannot coin their money. Not have a Texas dollar bill again)

Anyone who moves to Texas from a different state cannot be viewed any differently and/or treated differently.

argues if one state recognizes something, then all states must recognize it.

Looks at the U.S. Constitution and relationship with the states

Fourteenth Amendment: state may deprive persons of life, liberty, or property without due process of law

• Article I, Section 10 of the U.S. Constitution(a limit on the states is that it cannot coin their money. Not have a Texas dollar bill again)

Anyone who moves to Texas from a different state cannot be viewed any differently and/or treated differently.

argues if one state recognizes something, then all states must recognize it.

Protects citizens from one state, from another state. When citizens face another state's government it provides some sort of protection.

Article six of the U.S. Constitution it looks at the supremacy clause(Looks at the U.S. Constitution and relationship with the states)

Article four looks at the relationship between the states

Not defined by the U.S. Constitution

Protects citizens from one state, from another state. When citizens face another state's government it provides some sort of protection.

of the U.S. Constitution it looks at the supremacy clause(Looks at the U.S. Constitution and relationship with the states)

Article four looks at the relationship between the states

Not defined by the U.S. Constitution

Protects citizens from one state, from another state. When citizens face another state's government it provides some sort of protection.

of the U.S. Constitution it looks at the supremacy clause(Looks at the U.S. Constitution and relationship with the states)

Article four looks at the relationship between the states

Not defined by the U.S. Constitution

...are undefined

Police power: health, moral, safety, and welfare of citizens

→Taxing power

....not defined by the U.S. Constitution

public ownership of property, like airports and parks

...are undefined

Police power: health, moral, safety, and welfare of citizens

→Taxing power

....not defined by the U.S. Constitution

public ownership of property, like airports and parks

...are undefined

Police power: health, moral, safety, and welfare of citizens

→Taxing power

....not defined by the U.S. Constitution

public ownership of property, like airports and parks

...are undefined

Police power: health, moral, safety, and welfare of citizens

→Taxing power

....not defined by the U.S. Constitution

public ownership of property, like airports and parks

eminent domain(5th amendment)

Police power: health, moral, safety, and welfare of citizens

→Taxing power

....not defined by the U.S. Constitution

public ownership of property, like airports and parks

establish courts

tax

are powers held jointly by the national and state governments.

borrow funds

charter banks and corporations

establish courts

tax

are powers held jointly by the national and state governments.

borrow funds

charter banks and corporations

• Federal grants-in-aid

Devolution

→A shift to give more responsibility to states

→ Block grants 

• G.W. Bush administration expanded federal role 

- No child left behind

1827

• This constitution was adopted March 1, 1836, by Texas colonists declaring independence from Mexico. Under this constitution, Texas functioned as an independent Republic for 9 years.

• Texas Declaration of Independence – Adopted at Washington On-the-Brazos, 1836 – It drew from John Locke, who argued that the purpose of government is to protect rights.

• This constitution was adopted in 1827, and it recognized Texas as a Mexican state.

• Three branches of government

• Unicameral legislature lone/one chamber

• Texas elected 2 representatives to the provincial legislature

• Executive department-governor and vice governor

• Judicial Branch

• Banned slavery

• Laws written in spanish

• State religion: Catholicism

• Community Property system: two types of taxes- separate and community(once married)

• Homestead Exemption from bankruptcy 

1836

1827

• This constitution was adopted March 1, 1836, by Texas colonists declaring independence from Mexico. Under this constitution, Texas functioned as an independent Republic for 9 years.

• Texas Declaration of Independence – Adopted at Washington On-the-Brazos, 1836 – It drew from John Locke, who argued that the purpose of government is to protect rights.

• This constitution was adopted in 1827, and it recognized Texas as a Mexican state.

• Three branches of government

• Unicameral legislature lone/one chamber

• Texas elected 2 representatives to the provincial legislature

• Executive department-governor and vice governor

• Judicial Branch

• Banned slavery

• Laws written in spanish

• State religion: Catholicism

• Community Property system: two types of taxes- separate and community(once married)

• Homestead Exemption from bankruptcy 

1836

This constitution was written in preparation for Texas’ admission into the United States. • Women were granted property rights equal to those of men, especially in marriage, where women were given half the value of all property. • Allowed the state to divide itself into five new states. • Checks and balances • three branches of Government • Governors severed two-year terms. • Judges were appointed for six-year terms • Bicameral

1861

Texans adopted this constitution after the state seceded from the Union and joined the Confederacy in 1861. • Public officials were required to pledge their support to the Confederacy.

• Minor changes were made to reflect that Texas was now a Confederate state at war with the Union. • Increased the debt ceiling • Prohibited the emancipation of enslaved people • Included a provision to secede from the Union

This constitution was written in preparation for Texas’ admission into the United States. • Women were granted property rights equal to those of men, especially in marriage, where women were given half the value of all property. • Allowed the state to divide itself into five new states. • Checks and balances • three branches of Government • Governors severed two-year terms. • Judges were appointed for six-year terms • Bicameral

1861

Texans adopted this constitution after the state seceded from the Union and joined the Confederacy in 1861. • Public officials were required to pledge their support to the Confederacy.

• Minor changes were made to reflect that Texas was now a Confederate state at war with the Union. • Increased the debt ceiling • Prohibited the emancipation of enslaved people • Included a provision to secede from the Union

This constitution centralized power in state government and weakened local governments. • It reflected the sentiments of Radical Reconstructionists, not of most Texans. • E. J. Davis was the first Republican governor elected because of the ironclad oath. • At this time the South is controlled by the military. Federalism and The Texas Constitution 2

The short-lived constitution under which Texas sought to be readmitted to the Union after the Civil War and before the Radical Reconstructionists took control of the U.S. Congress. • Want to be able to leave the Union whenever • Did Abolished slavery • Governor terms four years • Bicameral and Legislators must be white males • State Supreme Court judges served ten years, and State District Judges served eight years.

This constitution was rejected by Congress because it: • Did not declare that secession was unconstitutional. • Failed to ratify the 13th Amendment (abolishing slavery). • Did not adequately establish the civil status and rights of African Americans.

Three Branches of Government • Executive Branch– The governor will serve four years. (This constitution gives the governor more constitutional powers) • Legislature Branch- Bicameral (Formerly enslaved people and other minorities could hold positions) • Judicial Branch- The governor appoints all judges and must be confirmed by the Senate. They served nine years for the Texas Supreme Court Justices, and lower judges served for 8 years.

Powers of Davis • An Enabling Act allowed Davis to fill 8,500 jobs (increased the size of the government) • State police could operate anywhere in the state. • Davis controlled voter registration. • Davis controlled what was printed. Increased taxes and government spending

This constitution centralized power in state government and weakened local governments. • It reflected the sentiments of Radical Reconstructionists, not of most Texans. • E. J. Davis was the first Republican governor elected because of the ironclad oath. • At this time the South is controlled by the military. Federalism and The Texas Constitution 2

1869

This constitution was rejected by Congress because it: • Did not declare that secession was unconstitutional. • Failed to ratify the 13th Amendment (abolishing slavery). • Did not adequately establish the civil status and rights of African Americans.

Three Branches of Government • Executive Branch– The governor will serve four years. (This constitution gives the governor more constitutional powers) • Legislature Branch- Bicameral (Formerly enslaved people and other minorities could hold positions) • Judicial Branch- The governor appoints all judges and must be confirmed by the Senate. They served nine years for the Texas Supreme Court Justices, and lower judges served for 8 years.

Powers of Davis • An Enabling Act allowed Davis to fill 8,500 jobs (increased the size of the government) • State police could operate anywhere in the state. • Davis controlled voter registration. • Davis controlled what was printed. Increased taxes and government spending

This constitution was adopted at the end of Reconstruction. • Constitution Convention met September 6, 1875, in Austin. • 90 members were present. • It placed strict limitations on the powers of the governor, the legislature, and other state officials.

1876

Decentralized power by stripping power from the government • The governor’s terms were reduced to two years. • Decreased the size of the government • Decreased government spending • It limited the terms and salaries for officials and made them elected positions. • Attorney general and state judges are elected • Strengthened local governments • Three Branches of Government have limited powers

Long

Unorganized

Poorly written

Out-dated

too specific

Texas lawmakers are limited to powers spelled out in the state constitution

• Provided for a weak governor

One of weakest gubernatorial offices in the nation

1

2

5

6

Legislature proposed amendments

The Secretary of the State prepares a statement that describes the proposed amendment, and the attorney general approves the statement.

Approval by 66% of all members of each chamber

A majority of state voters must vote by a simple majority

The governor has no veto power and issues a proclamation certifying the election results.

Legislature proposed amendments

The Secretary of the State prepares a statement that describes the proposed amendment, and the attorney general approves the statement.

Approval by 66% of all members of each chamber

A majority of state voters must vote by a simple majority

The governor has no veto power and issues a proclamation certifying the election results.

Legislature proposed amendments

The Secretary of the State prepares a statement that describes the proposed amendment, and the attorney general approves the statement.

Approval by 66% of all members of each chamber

A majority of state voters must vote by a simple majority

The governor has no veto power and issues a proclamation certifying the election results.

Legislature proposed amendments

The Secretary of the State prepares a statement that describes the proposed amendment, and the attorney general approves the statement.

Approval by 66% of all members of each chamber

A majority of state voters must vote by a simple majority

The governor has no veto power and issues a proclamation certifying the election results.

Legislature proposed amendments

The Secretary of the State prepares a statement that describes the proposed amendment, and the attorney general approves the statement.

Approval by 66% of all members of each chamber

A majority of state voters must vote by a simple majority

The governor has no veto power and issues a proclamation certifying the election results.