🦂Texas Government Unit 1 – Foundations of Texas government

Key Concepts and Principles

• Federalism divides power between the national government and state governments, with Texas having a strong tradition of state's rights
• Separation of powers ensures checks and balances among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Texas government
  • The legislative branch, consisting of the Texas Legislature, is responsible for creating laws
  • The executive branch, led by the Governor, is responsible for enforcing laws and managing state agencies
  • The judicial branch, headed by the Texas Supreme Court, interprets laws and administers justice
• Popular sovereignty emphasizes that political power ultimately resides with the people, who elect representatives to govern on their behalf
• Limited government restricts the power of the state government to protect individual rights and liberties
• Rule of law requires that all citizens, including government officials, are subject to the same laws and legal processes
• Republicanism in Texas government means that elected representatives make decisions on behalf of the people, rather than direct democracy
• Pluralism recognizes the diversity of interests and groups in Texas politics, with multiple viewpoints influencing policy decisions

Historical Background

• Texas gained independence from Mexico in 1836 after the Texas Revolution, becoming an independent republic
• The Republic of Texas existed from 1836 to 1845, with its own constitution, government, and foreign relations
• Texas joined the United States as the 28th state in 1845 through annexation, which led to the Mexican-American War (1846-1848)
• As a state in the Confederacy during the American Civil War (1861-1865), Texas seceded from the Union and later rejoined after the war
• Reconstruction (1865-1877) saw Texas under military rule and readmitted to the Union in 1870, with a new state constitution and government
• The discovery of oil at Spindletop in 1901 transformed the Texas economy and led to rapid industrialization and population growth
• Civil rights movements in the 20th century, such as the Chicano Movement and the African American Civil Rights Movement, fought for equal rights and representation in Texas politics
• Recent history has seen a shift from Democratic to Republican dominance in Texas politics, with the state becoming a reliably conservative stronghold

Texas Constitution

• The current Texas Constitution, adopted in 1876, is the state's seventh constitution since independence
• Amended over 500 times, the Texas Constitution is one of the longest state constitutions in the United States
  • Amendments require a two-thirds vote in both houses of the Texas Legislature and approval by a majority of voters in a statewide referendum
• The constitution establishes a separation of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches
• It includes a Bill of Rights that guarantees various civil liberties and rights to Texas citizens
• The constitution limits the power of the state government and reserves powers not explicitly granted to the state for the people or local governments
• Unique features of the Texas Constitution include provisions for home rule cities, which have more local control, and the creation of various state agencies and boards
• Critics argue that the constitution is too long, overly detailed, and difficult to amend, while supporters praise its protection of individual rights and limited government principles

Structure of Texas Government

• The Texas Legislature is a bicameral body consisting of the Senate (31 members) and the House of Representatives (150 members)
  • Senators serve four-year terms, while Representatives serve two-year terms
  • The Legislature meets in regular sessions every odd-numbered year for 140 days
• The Governor is the head of the executive branch and is elected to a four-year term, with no term limits
  • The Governor has the power to veto legislation, appoint state officials, and call special sessions of the Legislature
  • Other elected executive offices include the Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller, and Commissioner of Agriculture
• The Texas judicial system consists of the Supreme Court (civil matters), the Court of Criminal Appeals (criminal matters), and lower courts
  • Judges are elected in partisan elections, with varying terms depending on the court level
• Local government in Texas includes counties (254), cities, school districts, and special districts
  • County government is led by an elected Commissioners Court, which includes a County Judge and four Commissioners
  • Cities can be either general law or home rule, with home rule cities having more local control and the ability to adopt their own charters

Rights and Responsibilities

• The Texas Bill of Rights, found in Article I of the state constitution, guarantees various civil liberties and rights to citizens
  • These include freedom of speech, religion, and assembly; the right to bear arms; and protection against unreasonable searches and seizures
• Voting is a fundamental right and responsibility of Texas citizens, with eligibility requirements including U.S. citizenship, Texas residency, and being at least 18 years old
  • Texas has a voter ID law that requires voters to present an acceptable form of photo identification at the polls
• Jury duty is another important civic responsibility, with citizens being called to serve as jurors in both civil and criminal trials
• The Texas Constitution guarantees the right to a public education, with the state required to provide a free and efficient system of public schools
• Property rights are strongly protected in Texas, with the constitution limiting the government's power of eminent domain and requiring just compensation for any property taken for public use
• Open government and transparency are valued in Texas, with the Public Information Act ensuring public access to government records and meetings

Political Culture and Demographics

• Texas has a strong tradition of individualism, self-reliance, and limited government, reflecting its frontier heritage and conservative political culture
• The state's population is rapidly growing and becoming increasingly diverse, with significant African American, Hispanic, and Asian American communities
  • As of 2021, the racial/ethnic composition of Texas was approximately 41% non-Hispanic white, 40% Hispanic, 13% African American, and 5% Asian American
• Urban areas, such as Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Austin, are major population centers and tend to be more politically diverse than rural areas
• The political divide between urban and rural areas is significant, with urban counties often leaning Democratic and rural counties leaning Republican
• Religion plays a prominent role in Texas politics, with a large evangelical Protestant population and socially conservative values influencing policy debates
• Economic issues, such as energy policy, taxation, and regulation, are important in Texas politics due to the state's reliance on the oil and gas industry and its pro-business climate
• Demographic shifts, such as the growing Hispanic population and the influx of residents from other states, are gradually changing the political landscape of Texas

Current Issues and Challenges

• Education reform is an ongoing challenge, with debates over school funding, accountability, and school choice programs
  • The Texas Legislature has grappled with how to adequately and equitably fund public schools while balancing the state budget
• Healthcare access and affordability are major concerns, with Texas having the highest uninsured rate in the nation
  • Debates over Medicaid expansion, hospital funding, and rural healthcare continue to shape health policy discussions
• Criminal justice reform has gained attention, with issues such as mass incarceration, racial disparities, and the death penalty being scrutinized
  • Texas has made some progress in reducing its prison population and investing in alternatives to incarceration, but challenges remain
• Immigration and border security are contentious issues, given Texas' long border with Mexico and its large immigrant population
  • Debates over border wall construction, sanctuary cities, and the treatment of undocumented immigrants have been prominent in recent years
• Climate change and environmental protection are growing concerns, particularly in coastal areas vulnerable to hurricanes and flooding
  • Texas has faced challenges in balancing its reliance on the oil and gas industry with the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect natural resources
• Infrastructure development, including transportation and water management, is crucial for Texas' growing population and economy
  • The state has invested in highway expansion and water conservation projects, but more work is needed to keep pace with growth

Comparison with Other States

• Texas has a larger population and economy than most other states, ranking second in both categories behind California
• The state's political culture is more conservative than many other large states, such as California, New York, and Illinois
  • Texas has not voted for a Democratic presidential candidate since 1976, and Republicans hold majorities in both houses of the state legislature
• Texas has a lower tax burden than many other states, with no state income tax and relatively low property taxes
  • However, the state relies heavily on sales taxes and fees, which can disproportionately impact low-income residents
• The state's approach to business regulation is more laissez-faire than some other states, with fewer labor and environmental regulations
  • This business-friendly climate has attracted many companies to relocate or expand in Texas, but critics argue it may come at the expense of worker protections and environmental quality
• Texas' education system ranks in the middle of the pack compared to other states, with room for improvement in areas such as per-pupil funding and college readiness
• The state's healthcare system faces challenges similar to other states, but Texas has been slower to expand Medicaid and address the uninsured population
• Texas' criminal justice system has a higher incarceration rate than many other states, but it has also been a leader in certain reform efforts, such as reducing the use of solitary confinement