Power of the Constitution
The main idea behind the constitution was that the people should control the government of the state. Elected leaders have to obey the will of the people.
This is an idea known as Popular Sovereignty – political power belongs to the people.
Today, Texans live under two different constitutions. One is the Constitution of the United States. The other is our state constitution.
Texas has had seven constitutions in its history. The one used today was passed in 1876. The legislature and the voters of Texas have made over 400 changes to it since then.
The Texas Constitution has 17 articles, or major parts.
Powers that are shared between the state and national governments.
The Bill of Rights
The first article of the Texas Constitution includes the Bill of Rights, which protects the individual freedoms of regular Texas citizens.
These rights include freedom of speech, religious freedom, and other basic rights.
The Bill of Rights Amendments
1) Freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition.
2) Right to bear arms.
3) Citizens do not have to house soldiers.
4) No unreasonable search or arrest.
5) No double jeopardy or no witness against yourself.
6) Rights of accused in criminal cases to fair trial.
7) Trial by jury.
8) No excessive bail, fines, or cruel and unusual punishment.
9) People get rights not listed in Constitution.
10) Any rights not given to federal government are given to the states and people.
Texas is a free and independent state, subject to the Constitution of the United States.
2. Texas has a republican form of government in which the people of the state make decisions for the state.
3. Equality shall not be denied based on sex, race, color, creed, or national origin.
4. No religious test shall ever be required for any public office; no one will be disqualified from holding office because of his religious sentiments as long as he acknowledges the existence of a Supreme Being.
5. No person will be disqualified from testifying in court because of his religious beliefs.
6. All persons have the right to worship God as they please; no one is forced to worship. No preference shall ever be given by law to any religion.
7. No government money will be used to support any religion.
8. Every person is free to speak, write, or publish his opinions on any subject…..
The bill starts out as an idea that is introduced in Congress. If a bill has passed in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, the governor can sign it into law.
Or, the governor can veto the bill and send it back to Congress for changes.
If 2/3 of Congress agrees the bill should be law, they can override the governor’s veto to make it law.
The Texas Legislature is a bicameral system.
The Texas legislature makes the laws for Texas, and has two parts which makes it a bicameral legislature. Those two parts are called the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Both parts of the legislative branch have bills about a specific topic. A bill is a proposed law, and must go through a specific journey from being a bill to becoming a law.
Before a new law can be created it must pass through both chambers.
The principles and ideas of the U.S. Constitution are also present in the Texas Constitution of 1876.
The Main difference between the two is the Texas Constitution has more details and specifics increasing it's size dramatically over the U.S. Constitution.
Power from the People.
The people are the government.
People vote on issues.
People elect someone to represent them.
Senators and House of Representatives.
How the national, state, and local governments work together.
All can pass and enforce laws.
The higher level of government trumps the lower.
States cannot pass a law that conflicts with National law.
Dividing the government into different branches is based on an idea called the “Separation of Powers”. It helps keep any one person or group in government from becoming too powerful.
Legislative Branch
Makes the laws and is split into two houses [the Senate and the House of Representatives].
Executive Branch
Enforces the laws. The governor of Texas is the head of the executive branch and has the power to veto laws, or block them from going into effect.
Judicial Branch
Interprets the laws, ensuring that they are fair and are aligned with the constitution. The judicial branch has the power to resolve legal disputes and questions.
The system of Checks and Balances also helps make sure that no one branch becomes more powerful than the others.
Legislative Checks
Approve appointments made in the executive branch.
Approve appointments to the judicial branch.
Can override a Presidential Veto with enough support.
Executive Checks
Can veto laws passed by the Legislature.
Appoints members of the Judicial branch.
Judicial Checks
Can declare executive orders unconstitutional.
Can declare laws unconstitutional.
Members of the government are held to the same laws as everyone else.
Limiting the power of the government over the people.
Personal liberties and privileges that people are born with and cannot be taken away.
(Called: Inalienable Rights)
Listed in the Bill of Rights.
Negotiates treaties with other nations.
Maintains the military and defends the country.
Regulates speed limits on the roads.
Regulates Education.
The State Board of Education consists of elected board members and provides standards and policies for education.
Property and sales taxes help fund the state and local governments in Texas .
Provide County law enforcement.
Liberty Junior High is in Dallas County.
Local city governments have the responsibility of providing police and fire protections as well as establishing zoning rules for construction.
Liberty Junior High is in the city of Dallas.
A budget is a plan based on how much one expects to earn and how those earnings will be spent.
Our state’s budget sets the economic and social priorities, and determines which programs will grow, shrink, or be eliminated.
How Schools Get Money
How Texas Gets Money
Texas courts handle two kinds of law:
Civil Law: Covers arguments between two or more people or groups.
Criminal Law: Protects people and helps to maintain order.
Texas is divided into many cities, special districts, and counties that have their own municipal governments.
Texas has about 300 cities that have their own governments.
Texas has 254 counties. Five people serve on the commissioners court in each county. They head the government of the county.
Liberty Junior High is considered a part of Dallas County.
A citizen is a member of a nation who enjoys all the rights that nation offers. People born in Texas and other parts of the U.S. become U.S. citizens at birth.
People who are not born citizens can become naturalized. This means that they can become American citizens by meeting requirements set by the United States Congress.
A good citizen displays patriotism, or a love of their country and a passion to serve it.
In order to vote in Texas elections, a person must:
1) Be at least 18 years of age.
2) Be a resident of Texas.
3) Be a citizen of the U.S.
Forms required to register to vote in Texas.
Citizens support their country in many ways. They serve on juries and help make sure all trials are fair.
Citizens also stay informed about key issues. Being informed helps citizens do another important job: voting.
When citizens vote, they choose the people who will serve in their government. They help shape decisions on important issues that affect all Americans.
For all types of elections, candidates compete by launching a campaign. This is an effort to win an elected office.
Three kinds of elections take place in Texas. One type is primary election, in which members of a political party choose the party’s candidate for an upcoming election. Political parties are groups that try to gain power by electing candidates to office.
Democrats vs. Republicans
The two main political parties in the U.S. are Democrats and Republicans. Each political party has its own set of beliefs and goals.
Today the Democrats are commonly perceived as the party of big government and higher taxes, reducing the size and spending for military, promoting women’s rights, protecting the environment, and helping the poor.
Republicans tend to support public policies that limit the size of the government and cut taxes. Typically, they also support a larger military, are against abortion, and vote against programs to increase the size of the welfare state.
Some people work for or give money to their party and its candidates, trying to help them get elected. People can also belong to Special Interest Groups. These are groups outside the parties that try to influence public decisions. Members of the group talk or write to lawmakers, hoping to persuade them to pass laws that the group favors.
Another kind of group is called a Political Action Committee (PAC). These groups are formed to help elect candidates who agree with the group.
Immigration Issues
Immigration has continued to be a major force in Texas. In recent years, large numbers of people from Mexico and Central America have come to Texas.
Immigration from Asia, the Pacific Islands, and the Middle East has also risen.
Texas has struggled with the issue of illegal immigration increasingly over the past decade. “Illegal immigrants” lack the legal documents required to enter and stay in the U.S. This issue continues to be fiercely debated in Texas politics.
Urbanization
Urbanization, or movement to the cities, increased in the years following World War II. By the end of the 1990s, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio were among the largest cities in the country.
This move to the cities brought other changes. More and more people used cars to get around. More roads were built. The number of jobs in cities grew. This brought even more people to live in the cities.
Today, Texas is one of the most urban states in the country.
In order to understand Modern Texas it is important to look at the PEOPLE that inhabit Texas! Knowing the cultures that made Texas what it is today is vital to understanding Texas Culture & Politics!
Many groups have contributed to the culture of Texas. American Indians were the first people to live in Texas.
Many places take their names from the American Indian groups that once lived in the area. Even the state name comes from the Caddo word tejas [which means “friends”].
The Spanish were the first Europeans to settle in Texas. They brought the Catholic religion and Spanish law. Spanish ways of farming have left a mark on Texas as well. Many cities and rivers in Texas have names that reflect our state’s Spanish heritage.
Mexican Americans have contributed in many ways to the great history of Texas. Mexican ranching helped shape the state’s cowboy culture. Mexican food, music, and celebrations are enjoyed across the entire state.
Anglo Americans began settling in Texas in the 1820s, led by the “Father of Texas” Stephen F. Austin.
These settlers brought English law and government to Texas. They also brought the Protestant religion and the English language.
By 1860, more than 180,000 African Americans lived in Texas. Nearly all of these people were enslaved.
African Americans brought traditional stories and religion to the state. They helped make blues, jazz, and ragtime music popular.
People came to Texas from many countries in Europe. The largest group came from Germany.
Immigrants also included Poles, Czechs, French, Swedes, and many others. People from the same country often settled near each other.
That's All Y'all!