🤠Texas History Unit 9 – Government and Politics in Texas

Key Concepts and Terms

• Federalism: system of government where power is divided between a central government and smaller regional governments (states)
• Bicameral legislature: consists of two separate legislative chambers or houses (Texas House of Representatives and Texas Senate)
• Separation of powers: division of government responsibilities into distinct branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another
• Checks and balances: each branch of government has the power to limit or check the other branches, balancing power between the three branches
• Gubernatorial: relating to a governor or the office of governor
• Redistricting: process of redrawing electoral district boundaries in response to population changes
• Gerrymander: manipulate the boundaries of an electoral constituency to favor one party or class
• Plurality system: electoral system in which the candidate with the most votes wins, even without a majority

Historical Context

• Six flags over Texas: represents the six nations that have had sovereignty over some or all of the current territory of Texas (Spain, France, Mexico, Republic of Texas, Confederate States of America, and United States)
• Texas Revolution: conflict between the Mexican government and colonists in Texas from October 1835 to April 1836, resulting in Texas's independence from Mexico
• Republic of Texas: sovereign state in North America that existed from 1836 to 1845, established in the aftermath of the Texas Revolution
• Mexican-American War: armed conflict between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848, leading to significant territorial gains for the U.S., including Texas
• Compromise of 1850: series of legislative measures addressing the status of territories acquired during the Mexican-American War and the issue of slavery
• Secession: withdrawal of Texas from the Union in 1861 to join the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War
• Reconstruction: period from 1865 to 1877 during which Texas was readmitted to the Union and underwent significant political, economic, and social changes

Texas Constitution and Government Structure

• Current constitution adopted in 1876, making it one of the longest state constitutions in the United States
• Amended over 500 times since its adoption, reflecting changing needs and priorities of Texans
• Establishes a separation of powers among three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial
• Includes a bill of rights that guarantees various civil liberties and rights to Texas citizens
• Provides for a plural executive branch, meaning several elected officials share executive power with the governor
• Limits the regular legislative session to 140 days every two years, with the governor having the power to call special sessions
• Requires a balanced budget, prohibiting the state from spending more than it generates in revenue
• Allows for home rule, giving cities and counties authority to govern local affairs

Legislative Branch

• Consists of the Texas Senate and the Texas House of Representatives, forming a bicameral legislature
• Senate has 31 members elected to four-year terms, while the House has 150 members elected to two-year terms
• Legislature meets in regular session every two years for a maximum of 140 days
• Special sessions can be called by the governor, lasting up to 30 days each
• Primary responsibilities include enacting laws, adopting the state budget, and proposing constitutional amendments
• Senators and representatives are elected from single-member districts, with redistricting occurring every ten years following the U.S. Census
• Lieutenant Governor presides over the Senate and holds significant power in shaping legislation
• Speaker of the House, elected by House members, presides over the House and plays a key role in committee assignments and legislative agenda

Executive Branch

• Headed by the Governor, who serves as the state's chief executive officer
• Governor is elected to a four-year term and can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms
• Key responsibilities include signing or vetoing legislation, serving as commander-in-chief of the state's military forces, and appointing members to state boards and commissions
• Lieutenant Governor, elected separately from the Governor, presides over the Texas Senate and assumes the role of Governor if the office becomes vacant
• Attorney General serves as the state's chief legal officer, representing Texas in legal matters and issuing legal opinions
• Comptroller of Public Accounts is the state's chief financial officer, responsible for collecting taxes and managing the state's fiscal affairs
• Other elected officials include the Commissioner of the General Land Office, Commissioner of Agriculture, and three Railroad Commissioners

Judicial Branch

• Consists of the Texas Supreme Court, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, and various lower courts
• Texas Supreme Court is the highest court for civil matters, composed of a Chief Justice and eight associate justices elected to staggered six-year terms
• Texas Court of Criminal Appeals is the highest court for criminal matters, consisting of a Presiding Judge and eight judges elected to staggered six-year terms
• Intermediate appellate courts include the Courts of Appeals, which hear appeals from lower trial courts in their respective districts
• Trial courts include District Courts (felony criminal cases and civil cases), County Courts at Law (misdemeanor criminal cases and civil cases), and Justice of the Peace Courts (small claims and minor misdemeanors)
• Judges in Texas are elected in partisan elections, with vacancies filled by gubernatorial appointment until the next general election

Local Government in Texas

• Counties are the primary unit of local government, with 254 counties in Texas
• Each county is governed by a Commissioners Court, consisting of a County Judge and four Commissioners elected to four-year terms
• Municipalities, such as cities and towns, are classified as either general law or home rule based on population size and adopted charters
• General law cities have limited powers and operate according to state law, while home rule cities have broader authority to govern local affairs
• Other local government entities include school districts, special districts (water, hospital, utility), and regional councils of governments
• Local governments are responsible for providing various services, such as law enforcement, public transportation, and infrastructure maintenance

Political Parties and Elections

• Two major political parties: Democratic Party and Republican Party
• Texas has a closed primary system, meaning voters must register with a party to participate in its primary elections
• Plurality voting system for most offices, where the candidate with the most votes wins without necessarily receiving a majority
• Statewide offices (Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General) are elected to four-year terms, with no term limits for most positions
• U.S. Senators are elected to six-year terms, while U.S. Representatives and Texas Legislature members are elected to two-year terms
• Redistricting occurs every ten years following the U.S. Census, with the Texas Legislature responsible for drawing congressional and state legislative districts
• Voter registration requires U.S. citizenship, Texas residency, and a minimum age of 18 by Election Day
• Texas has faced criticism over voter identification laws and allegations of voter suppression

Current Issues and Challenges

• Public education funding and equity, particularly in light of the state's growing population and demographic changes
• Healthcare access and affordability, including debates over Medicaid expansion and rural hospital closures
• Criminal justice reform, focusing on issues such as mass incarceration, racial disparities, and the death penalty
• Immigration and border security, given Texas's proximity to Mexico and the ongoing national debate over immigration policy
• Energy and environmental concerns, balancing the state's oil and gas industry with the need for sustainable practices and conservation
• Economic development and job growth, particularly in the face of global competition and technological advancements
• Infrastructure needs, including transportation, water management, and disaster preparedness in light of recent hurricanes and flooding events
• Redistricting and gerrymandering concerns, with legal challenges to the state's electoral maps alleging racial and partisan bias