🤠texas history review
9.1 The structure and function of the Texas state government
Last Updated on August 16, 2024
Texas government mirrors the federal system with three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. Each branch has specific roles and powers, creating a system of checks and balances to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
The Texas Constitution of 1876 outlines the structure and functions of state government. It defines the responsibilities of key officials like the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, and establishes the process for making laws through the bicameral legislature.
Texas Government Branches and Roles
Structure and Functions of Texas Government
Top images from around the web for Structure and Functions of Texas Government
Legislative, Executive and Judicial Branches of Government by Teachability View original
Is this image relevant?
Division of Powers | Texas Government 1.0 View original
Is this image relevant?
Political Parties | Texas Government View original
Is this image relevant?
Division of Powers | Texas Government 1.0 View original
Is this image relevant?
The Development of the Constitution | American Government View original
Is this image relevant?
Legislative, Executive and Judicial Branches of Government by Teachability View original
Is this image relevant?
Division of Powers | Texas Government 1.0 View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 5
Top images from around the web for Structure and Functions of Texas Government
Legislative, Executive and Judicial Branches of Government by Teachability View original
Is this image relevant?
Division of Powers | Texas Government 1.0 View original
Is this image relevant?
Political Parties | Texas Government View original
Is this image relevant?
Division of Powers | Texas Government 1.0 View original
Is this image relevant?
The Development of the Constitution | American Government View original
Is this image relevant?
Legislative, Executive and Judicial Branches of Government by Teachability View original
Is this image relevant?
Division of Powers | Texas Government 1.0 View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 5
- Texas state government divides into three distinct branches with specific roles and responsibilities
- Executive branch implements and enforces state laws
- Legislative branch creates, debates, and passes state laws and budget
- Judicial branch interprets laws and resolves legal disputes
- Texas Constitution of 1876 establishes framework for these branches
- Outlines specific powers and limitations for each branch
- Each branch possesses unique powers to check other branches
- Ensures balance of power within state government
Executive Branch Responsibilities
- Governor leads executive branch
- Implements and enforces state laws
- Appoints state officials (agency heads, board members)
- Manages state agencies
- Governor serves as commander-in-chief of Texas Military Forces
- Includes Texas Army National Guard, Air National Guard, and State Guard
- Executive branch includes other elected officials
- Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller
- Each official has distinct responsibilities within government structure
Legislative Branch Functions
- Consists of Texas Senate (31 members) and House of Representatives (150 members)
- Creates, debates, and passes state laws
- Develops and approves state budget
- Texas Constitution requires balanced budget
- Meets in regular session every odd-numbered year
- Sessions last 140 days
- Special sessions called by Governor for specific issues
- Last up to 30 days
- Consider only topics designated by Governor
Judicial Branch Operations
- Texas Supreme Court heads judicial branch
- Highest civil court in Texas
- Court of Criminal Appeals serves as highest criminal court
- Interprets state laws and determines constitutionality
- Resolves legal disputes between parties
- Structure includes various levels of courts
- District courts, appellate courts, county courts
- Judges appointed by Governor to fill vacancies
- Appointments require confirmation by Texas Senate
Checks and Balances in Texas
Executive and Legislative Checks
- Governor can veto bills passed by Legislature
- Prevents laws from taking effect
- Legislature can override Governor's veto
- Requires two-thirds majority in both chambers
- Legislature controls state budget
- Affects operations of executive and judicial branches
- Legislature has power to impeach and remove officials
- Includes Governor, other executive officers, and judges
- Governor appoints heads of state agencies
- Appointments require Senate confirmation
Judicial and Executive Checks
- Judicial branch can declare laws unconstitutional
- Process known as judicial review
- Courts can overturn executive actions
- Ensures executive branch operates within legal boundaries
- Governor appoints judges to fill vacancies
- Appointments subject to Senate confirmation
- Plural executive structure limits Governor's authority
- Power distributed among several elected officials (Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General)
Legislative and Judicial Interactions
- Legislature can propose constitutional amendments
- Requires voter approval to take effect
- Courts interpret laws passed by Legislature
- Can clarify ambiguous language or resolve conflicts
- Legislature can modify laws in response to court decisions
- Allows for refinement of legal framework
- Judicial branch budget determined by Legislature
- Influences court operations and capacity
Key Officials in Texas Executive Branch
Governor's Role and Responsibilities
- Serves as chief executive officer of Texas
- Implements and enforces state laws
- Appoints heads of state agencies and board members
- Issues executive orders
- Directs operations of state government
- Grants pardons and commutations
- Except in cases of impeachment
- Calls special legislative sessions
- Addresses specific issues outside regular session
Lieutenant Governor's Powers
- Considered most powerful figure in Texas politics
- Presides over Texas Senate
- Controls flow of legislation
- Appoints Senate committee chairs and members
- Plays key role in setting legislative agenda
- Assumes governor's duties if governor is absent or incapacitated
Other Executive Branch Officials
- Attorney General serves as chief legal officer
- Provides legal advice to state officials and agencies
- Represents Texas in legal matters (lawsuits involving the state)
- Comptroller of Public Accounts acts as chief financial officer
- Manages state funds
- Provides economic forecasts for budget process
- Land Commissioner oversees state-owned lands and mineral rights
- Administers veterans' programs
- Manages Alamo complex
- Agriculture Commissioner promotes Texas agricultural products
- Regulates agriculture industry within state
- Oversees school lunch programs
- Railroad Commissioners regulate oil and gas industry
- Despite name, focus on energy sector
- Oversee pipeline safety and surface mining operations
Lawmaking Process in Texas Legislature
Bill Introduction and Committee Review
- Bills introduced in either chamber of Legislature
- Exception: revenue bills must originate in House
- Bills assigned to committees for review
- Committees hold public hearings
- Experts and citizens can testify
- Committees can amend bills
- Make changes to address concerns or improve language
- Committees vote to recommend bills to full chamber
- "Do Pass" recommendation moves bill forward
- Bills can die in committee if not recommended
Floor Debate and Voting Process
- Bills reported favorably by committee placed on chamber calendar
- Full chamber debates bill
- Members can propose amendments
- Chamber votes on amendments and final passage
- Simple majority required for most bills
- If bill passes one chamber, moves to other chamber
- Undergoes similar process of committee review and floor votes
- Bills must pass both chambers in identical form
- Conference committees resolve differences between versions
Governor's Role in Lawmaking
- Bills passing both chambers sent to Governor
- Governor has three options:
- Sign bill into law
- Veto bill (return to Legislature with objections)
- Allow bill to become law without signature after 10 days (20 days after session ends)
- Vetoed bills can be overridden by Legislature
- Requires two-thirds vote in both chambers
- Some bills become law without Governor's signature
- Occurs if Governor takes no action within specified time
Key Terms to Review (24)
Annexation of Texas: The annexation of Texas refers to the formal incorporation of the Republic of Texas into the United States as the 28th state on December 29, 1845. This significant event was driven by various factors including the desire for territorial expansion, the influence of Manifest Destiny, and the economic and social dynamics of the time, ultimately affecting immigration patterns, state government structure, and local governance within Texas.
Texas Revolution: The Texas Revolution was a rebellion from October 1835 to April 1836 in which American settlers in Texas fought for independence from Mexico. This conflict marked a significant turning point that led to the creation of the Republic of Texas and influenced various aspects of Texas's political, economic, and social landscape.
Railroad commissioners: Railroad commissioners are elected officials in Texas responsible for regulating the state's railroads and other transportation industries. This role includes overseeing safety, service quality, and rates charged by rail companies, reflecting the importance of transportation infrastructure in economic development and public safety.
Attorney general: The attorney general is the chief legal officer of the state, responsible for representing the state in legal matters and providing legal advice to the government. This role includes overseeing the state's legal interests, enforcing laws, and ensuring justice within the state's judicial system.
Agriculture Commissioner: The Agriculture Commissioner is a state official responsible for overseeing the agricultural industry and enforcing regulations related to farming, food production, and land use. This role is crucial in Texas, where agriculture plays a significant part in the economy and daily life, ensuring that food safety standards are met and that farmers receive the support they need to thrive.
Home rule cities: Home rule cities are municipalities that have been granted the power to govern themselves and create their own local laws, as long as they do not conflict with state laws. This designation allows cities with a population of over 5,000 to adopt a charter that establishes their own government structure and regulations, providing them with significant autonomy in managing local affairs and addressing community needs.
Land commissioner: The land commissioner is an elected official in Texas responsible for managing state lands and overseeing the distribution of public lands for various uses, including agriculture, recreation, and conservation. This role connects to the broader structure of the Texas state government, as it emphasizes the management of natural resources and public assets critical to the state's economy and environment.
Unicameral legislature: A unicameral legislature is a legislative body with a single chamber or house responsible for making laws. This system contrasts with a bicameral legislature, which has two separate chambers. In the context of governance, a unicameral system can lead to more efficient lawmaking, as there are fewer hurdles and less time spent in negotiation between different legislative bodies.
Edgewood ISD v. Kirby: Edgewood ISD v. Kirby is a landmark case decided by the Texas Supreme Court in 1993 that addressed the issue of equitable funding for public schools in Texas. The court ruled that the state's public school finance system was unconstitutional as it violated the Texas Constitution's mandate for a free and adequate public education, highlighting disparities in funding among school districts.
Comptroller of public accounts: The comptroller of public accounts is a key financial officer in the Texas state government responsible for overseeing the state's finances, including tax collection, budget management, and financial reporting. This position plays a vital role in ensuring transparency and accountability in how state funds are managed and spent, reflecting the broader structure of Texas state governance.
Redistricting: Redistricting is the process of redrawing the boundaries of electoral districts to ensure that each district has roughly equal populations, maintaining fair representation in legislative bodies. This process is typically undertaken after the decennial census, and it has significant implications for the political landscape, affecting how communities are represented in government and how elections are conducted.
Electoral process: The electoral process is the method by which voters select their representatives and decide on various measures through elections. This process encompasses various steps, including voter registration, candidate nomination, campaigning, voting, and the counting of ballots. In Texas, the electoral process is crucial for ensuring that citizens have a voice in government and that officials are held accountable to the electorate.
Roe v. Wade: Roe v. Wade was a landmark 1973 Supreme Court case that established a woman's legal right to have an abortion under the right to privacy, which is inferred from the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment. The decision has had profound implications for state laws and reproductive rights, significantly impacting the structure and function of government at both state and federal levels.
Veto power: Veto power is the constitutional authority given to a political leader, usually the executive branch, to reject legislation or decisions made by the legislative branch. In Texas, this power allows the governor to prevent a bill from becoming law, reflecting the system of checks and balances designed to limit governmental overreach and protect against hasty legislation.
Lawmaking process: The lawmaking process refers to the series of steps through which proposed legislation is developed, debated, and enacted into law within a legislative body. This process involves several key stages, including introduction, committee review, floor debate, voting, and ultimately receiving executive approval. Each stage serves to ensure that proposed laws are thoroughly considered and refined before becoming part of the legal framework.
Bill of rights: A bill of rights is a formal declaration of the legal and civil rights of the citizens, usually embedded within a constitution or other foundational legal document. It serves to protect individuals from government overreach and ensures fundamental freedoms, reflecting essential democratic values. In the context of Texas, the bill of rights is critical in outlining the rights of individuals within both the Texas Constitution and during the period of the Republic of Texas, emphasizing the importance of liberty and justice.
House of Representatives: The House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Texas Legislature, responsible for creating laws, representing the interests of the citizens, and overseeing state governance. It plays a crucial role in the legislative process, working alongside the Senate to pass bills and budgetary measures that impact the state. The House consists of elected officials who serve two-year terms, allowing for a responsive and accountable government.
Texas Constitution: The Texas Constitution is the fundamental legal document that outlines the structure, powers, and functions of the Texas state government and its local governments. This constitution establishes the framework for governance, detailing the rights of citizens, the organization of state institutions, and the relationship between state and local entities. Its provisions directly impact how state and local governments operate within Texas.
Lieutenant governor: The lieutenant governor is an elected official in the Texas state government who serves as the second-highest executive officer and acts as the presiding officer of the Texas Senate. This position plays a crucial role in the legislative process, overseeing Senate procedures, making key appointments, and serving as a key advisor to the governor. The lieutenant governor's powers and responsibilities make it one of the most significant positions in Texas politics, directly influencing state policy and governance.
Texas Senate: The Texas Senate is the upper chamber of the Texas Legislature, responsible for creating laws and representing the interests of Texans. Comprising 31 members, each elected for a four-year term, the Texas Senate plays a vital role in the legislative process, including reviewing and voting on bills passed by the Texas House of Representatives. It also has specific powers such as confirming gubernatorial appointments and conducting impeachment trials for certain state officials.
Legislative branch: The legislative branch is the part of government responsible for making laws, representing the interests of the public, and overseeing government functions. In Texas, this branch is bicameral, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate, which work together to create, amend, and repeal laws that govern the state.
Governor: The governor is the chief executive officer of the state of Texas, responsible for enforcing state laws and overseeing the administration of state government. This role includes significant powers such as vetoing legislation, calling special sessions of the legislature, and appointing various state officials. The governor's actions and decisions significantly influence the state's political landscape and its governance.
Judicial branch: The judicial branch is the part of government responsible for interpreting laws, ensuring justice, and resolving disputes. In Texas, it plays a crucial role in maintaining the rule of law, protecting individual rights, and upholding the state constitution, functioning independently from the executive and legislative branches.
Executive branch: The executive branch is one of the three main branches of government responsible for enforcing laws and administering public policy. In Texas, it is headed by the governor, who plays a key role in shaping state legislation and overseeing the various departments that manage day-to-day operations of state government.