Political Culture and Government Structure in Texas

Flashcards covering the political culture, structure, and functioning of the government in Texas.

Political Culture in Texas

Texas political culture is characterized as individualistic and traditionalistic, favoring limited government and personal responsibility.

Public Opinion

Public opinion is the combined views of individuals, where individual opinions shape public opinion.

Political Participation in Texas

Types of political participation in Texas include voting, protesting, campaigning, donating, and joining groups.

Dominant Political Party in Texas

The dominant party in Texas is the Republican Party, which gained dominance in the 1990s.

Weak Political Party System

Texas has a weak political party system because candidates run campaigns independently.

Open Primary System

Texas uses an open primary system, allowing any registered voter to participate in a party's primary.

Federalism

Federalism is the division of power between federal, state, and local governments.

Characteristics of the 1876 Constitution

The 1876 Constitution featured a weak governor and strong limits on government, passed due to distrust of centralized power.

Texas Legislature Structure

The Texas Legislature is bicameral, consisting of a Senate and a House.

Legislative Session Length

A legislative session in Texas lasts for 140 days and occurs every two years during odd-numbered years.

Texas Governor's Powers

The Texas governor has limited powers, including veto, calling special sessions, and appointing officials with Senate approval.

Texas Lieutenant Governor's Powers

The Texas lieutenant governor has strong powers, controlling the Senate, committees, and legislative agenda.

Incumbent Advantage

Incumbents have an advantage in elections due to name recognition, money, and experience.

Largest Source of State Revenue

The largest sources of revenue for Texas are sales tax and federal funds.

Governor Appointment Powers

The governor appoints administrators, and these appointments must be confirmed by the Senate.

Texas State Board of Education Criticism

The Texas State Board of Education has been criticized for politicizing curriculum and making biased decisions.