We The People...
The Structure and
Function of Texas
Government
Background
Constitution of 1836
The Texas
government is
very strong today, Constitution of 1845
even though it has
Constitution of 1876
gone through
several changes
and constitutions.
The founding
fathers of Texas
had wonderful
insight that
helped form a
government of
and
strength
stability
These Texans looked to a
shining example of
democracy as the basis
for our state constitution
and government.
The
Constitution
of the United
States
So the structure (what our
government looks like) and function
(what our government does) is a
reflection of the United States
government.
Part 1:
The Structure of
Texas Government
Structure is the
framework of our
government.
The U.S.
government is
divided into three
branches of
government, each
with different duties.
The structure of Texas
government is the same.
Let’s take a look.
Three Branches of Government
Executive
Legislative
Judicial
The Executive Branch
Structure
the governor, lieutenantgovernor, and attorney-general
appointees
Function
see that laws are carried out
The Executive BranchThe Governor
Governors serve 4 year terms
Must be 30 years old to be elected
Can serve unlimited terms
Appoints members of state agencies with the
consent of the Senate
Has the power to approve or veto laws
Is the Commander-in-Chief of state’s military
forces
The Executive BranchThe Governor
Has the power to call special sessions of the
legislature for emergency state business
The governor has the power to call special
sessions of the legislature for emergency
state business
Martial law-the law administered by military
forces that is invoked by a government in an
emergency when the civilian law enforcement
agencies are unable to maintain public order and
safety
The Legislative Branch
Structure
“bi-cameral”- made of two houses like the
U.S. Congress
Senate
House of Representatives
Function
make laws
maintain a balanced budget
Has the power to raise revenue (a tax law)
The Legislative Branch
Members of the House of Representatives
serve 2 years
Members of the Senate serve 4 year terms
The president of the Texas Senate is the
Lieutenant Governor
The Texas Legislature has the sole power of
removing someone from office (impeachment)
Texas has 150 members of the House of
Representatives and 31 Senate members
The Legislative Branch
The legislative branch is responsible for
making laws…however the governor can
veto the law
In that case the legislature can still pass
the law with a 2/3 vote from the
members of the legislature
The legislative branch has the power to
propose amendments to the Texas
Constitution
The Legislative Branch
A senator must be at least 26 years of age, a
citizen of Texas five years prior to election and
a resident of the district from which elected
one year prior to election
A representative must be at least 21 years of
age, a citizen of Texas for two years prior to
election and a resident of the district from
which elected one year prior to election
The Judicial Branch
Structure
Texas Supreme Court
district courts
county and local courts
Function
decide if laws are fair
try civil and criminal cases
The Judicial Branch
The judges of the higher level state
courts serve 6 year terms
The Texas Appeals Court determines
whether trials held in trial courts are fair
The highest court in Texas to hear
criminal cases is the Texas Supreme
Court
There are nine justices that sit on the
Texas Supreme Court
Part 2:
Function of Texas
Government
Function is how
the government
works, or what it
does for the
people.
The U.S.
Constitution is
based on seven
principles, or
rules and goals.
Therefore, the Texas
Constitution is
based on the same
seven principles.
1. Popular Sovereignty
The principle of
popular sovereignty is
expressed in the first
three words of the
Constitution...
It means that the
people are the final
authority.
How is Popular Sovereignty
achieved?
The people vote on
individuals to represent
them in the various
branches of
government.
The people vote
on proposed laws.
2. Limited Power of Government
Limited government means that we
give the government power, but not
too much power.
The key word in the above statement
is “we”. The government has only
the powers the people have given it.
How do we limit the
government’s power?
We outline the
government’s power on
paper in a constitution.
Citizens are
guaranteed
fundamental rights
in the Bill of Rights.
3. Federalism
Federalism is the sharing of powers
between the state and national
government.
National
State
Some powers are state powers,
some national, some are shared.
What are some examples of
federalism?
National Powers
State Powers
•maintain armed
forces
•maintain schools
•coin money
•marriage and
divorce laws
•declare war
•conduct elections
•establish foreign
policy
•regulate trade
within the state
What are some examples of
federalism?
Shared powers
•raise taxes-which are
used to provide services
to citizens
•charter banks
•provide for the public
welfare
•administer criminal
justice
4. Separation of Powers
Separating powers guards against
putting too much power in the hands
of a few people.
Legislative- makes laws
Executive- sees that
laws are carried out
Judicial- decides if laws
are fair
We limit power by creating the
three branches of government,
each with separate duties.
5. Checks and Balances
Each branch of government can check, or
control, the power of the other two branches
The power is split among the three branches.
Feeling powerful.
government without
Feeling strong.
checks
Feeling invincible.
Checks and Balances
Sorry.
Sorry.
Sorry.
Sorry.
Check yourself or
talk to the claw.
Examples of checks and
balances
Congress has the power to pass
laws, but the president can veto
laws.
Congress can check the president’s
power by overriding the veto.
Examples of checks and
balances
Treaties and appointments the
presidents makes must be approved
by congress.
The president can be impeached by
Congress and the trial is heard by
the Supreme Court.
6. Republicanism
stresses liberty and rights as central
values, makes the people as a whole
sovereign, rejects inherited political power,
expects citizens to be independent in their
performance of civic duties, and looks down
on corruption.
7. Individual Rights
Individuals have to the right to act with
liberty and determine their own destinies
without unreasonable interference from the
government.