People
• Lawrence “Sul” Ross
• Gen. in Confederate Army
• 19th Governor of Texas
• President of Texas A&M University
Texas Constitution
and
Limited Government
Seven Principles of Government
State of Texas Constitution of 1876
• Republicanism – a belief that government
should be based on the consent of the
people; people exercise their power by
voting for political representatives
• Article III. SEC. 4. The members of the House of
Representatives shall be chosen by the
qualified electors, and their term of office shall
be two years from the day of their election.
State of Texas Constitution of 1876
• Limited Government – the principle that
requires all U.S. citizens, including
government leaders, to obey the law
• Article III. SEC. 14. Senators and representatives
shall, except in cases of treason, felony or
breach of peace, be privileged from arrest
during the session of the Legislature, and in
going to and returning from the same, allowing
one day for every twenty miles such member
may reside from the place at which the
Legislature is convened.
State of Texas Constitution of 1876
• Checks and Balances – the ability of each
branch of government to exercise checks, or
controls, over the other branches
• Article IV. SEC. 14. Every bill which shall have passed both
houses of the Legislature shall be presented to the governor
for his approval. If he approve he shall sign it; but if he
disapprove it, he shall return it with his objections, to the
house in which it originated, which house shall enter the
objections at large upon its journal, and proceed to
reconsider it. If, after such reconsideration, two-thirds of the
members present agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, with
the objections, in the other house, by which likewise it shall
be reconsidered; and, if approved by two-thirds of the
members of that house, it shall become a law; but in such
cases the votes of both houses shall be determined by yeas
and nays, and the names of the members voting for and
against the bill shall be entered on the journal of each house
respectively.
• Article XV. SEC 1. The power of impeachment shall be vested
in the House of Representatives
State of Texas Constitution of 1876
• Federalism – a system of government
where power is shared among the central
(or federal) government and the states
• Article I SEC. 1. Texas is a free and independent
State, subject only to the Constitution of the
United States; and the maintenance of our free
institutions and the perpetuity of the Union
depend upon the preservation of the right of
local self-government unimpaired to all the
States.
State of Texas Constitution of 1876
• Separation of Powers – the division of basic
government roles into branches
• Article II. SEC. 1. The powers of the government of the
State of Texas shall be divided into three distinct
departments
• Popular Sovereignty – a government in which the
people rule; a system in which the residents vote
to decide an issue; the will of the people
• Article VI. SEC. 3. All qualified electors of the State, as
herein described, who shall have resided for six months
immediately preceding an election within the limits of
any city or corporate town, shall have the right to vote
for mayor and all other elective officers.
State of Texas Constitution of 1876
• Individual Rights – a personal liberty and privilege
guaranteed to U.S. citizens by the Bill of Rights
• Bill of Rights – 29 Sections
• SEC. 2. All political power is inherent in the people and
all free governments are founded on their authority,
and instituted for their benefit. The faith of the people
of Texas stands pledged to the preservation of a
republican form of government, and, subject to this
limitation only, they have at all times the inalienable
right to alter, reform or abolish their government in
such manner as they may think expedient.
Texas Constitution of 1876
and
U.S. Constitution
• Based on the principles of
governments
• Can you name them (7)
• Three branches of government
• Can you name them
• Bill of Rights that list rights
given to all citizens
Structure and Functions of Government
• Municipal level
• Structure – city limits, Mayor-Council-City Manager government
• Function – provide government services, police and fire protection, emergency medical
services (ambulances), sewers and water lines, inspection of health and sanitation
rules, and zoning rules that govern what kinds of buildings may be placed in certain
parts of the city.
Structure and Functions of Government
• County (254 Counties)
• Structure – precincts: each
precinct has a county
commissioner, headed by a county
judge.
• Function – Help the state collect
taxes, oversee and administer law
enforcement, and provide services
to the rural population
Structure and Functions of Government
• State
• Structure – Representative and Senate districts
• Executive Branch – Governor
• Legislative Branch – Representatives and
Senators
• Judicial Branch – Judges
• Function – maintain highways and state law
enforcement, interpret and enforce laws, a
prison system, and a National Guard, supports
public schools, colleges, universities, and public
health
Sources of Revenue for State and Local
Government
• State and local government are funded by taxes
• Property tax – property is taxed and funds education
• Sales tax – largest source of tax revenue
• State and local governments receive federal funds for projects
• Federal funds – second largest source of tax revenue – state and local
governments collect fees
• Licenses and permits, utilities, etc.
• Interest on investments, state lottery, and money earned from public lands
Structure, Funding, and Governance of Texas Public
Education
• Approximately 1,050 school districts
• Structure – divided into independent school districts
• Governance – the local Board of Trustees (School
Board) is elected by residents in the school district.
They hire a Superintendent, administrators, and
teachers. They make financial and educational
decisions for the district.
• State Board of Education is elected to provide
standards and policies as well as approving materials.
• Texas Education Agency – oversees the
implementation of State Board of Education policies
and other regulatory functions and local school
districts
• Funded by property tax bond issues, as well as by
state and federal funding supported by state and
federal taxpayers
Rights of Texas Citizens
• Rights defined in the Texas Constitution and Texas
Bill of Rights (many of these rights are also in the
U.S. Bill of Rights)
• Article One of the Texas Constitution (Texas Bill of
Rights)
• Freedom of worship
• Freedom of speech and press
• Freedom of assembly
• Protection from unreasonable searches and
seizures
• Equality under the law
• Fair trial and rights of the accused in criminal
prosecutions
• Rights of crime victims
• There are thirty three listed in the Texas
Constitution