Texas Government & Politics: Key Constitutions, Federalism, and Political Culture

1827 - Coahuila y Tejas

Merged Texas with Coahuila; limited local rule; Catholicism official religion.

1836 - Republic of Texas

Mirrored U.S. model; legalized slavery; bicameral legislature; president elected.

1845 - Statehood

Texas joined the U.S.; retained public lands; created permanent school fund.

1861 - Confederate

Removed 'U.S.' references; defended slavery.

1866 - Presidential Reconstruction

Minimal rights for freedpeople; Johnson-era leniency.

1869 - Congressional Reconstruction

Centralized power; strong governor; rights for freedpeople.

1876 - Current Constitution

Weak government, low taxes, local control, plural executive; amended over 500 times.

Texas v. White

Supreme Court case confirming no state may secede.

I - Bill of Rights

Lists freedoms before government structure; includes free speech, religion, jury trial, property rights.

Texas Constitutions

Seven total constitutions governing Texas.

II - Powers of Government

Separates legislative, executive, judicial branches; prevents power overlap.

III - Legislative

Bicameral (150 House, 31 Senate); biennial sessions; low pay; many restrictions.

IV - Executive

Plural Executive: Governor + Lt. Governor + Attorney General + Comptroller + Land Commissioner; limits governor's power.

V - Judicial

Elected judges; dual high courts (Supreme Court for civil / Court of Criminal Appeals for criminal).

XVII - Amendments

Requires two-thirds vote of Legislature + majority of voters for an amendment to pass.

Preamble

Introduction to the Constitution outlining its purposes.

Separation of powers

Division of government responsibilities into distinct branches.

Federalism

Division of power between national & state governments.

Texas Bill of Rights

Comes first in the Texas Constitution (Article I).

Checks & balances

System ensuring that no branch of government becomes too powerful.

Amendment process

U.S. has 27 amendments; Texas has 500+.

Necessary & Proper Clause

Allows Congress to make laws required for exercising its powers.

Individualistic political culture

Emphasizes limited government and business dominance.

Traditionalistic political culture

Focuses on maintaining social order and conservative values.

Provincialism

Narrow, self-reliant worldview, weakened by urban diversity.

Democratic dominance (1870s-1970s)

Period of one-party system in Texas.

Shivercrat Movement

1950s movement where Democrats voted Republican for president.

Republican dominance (2002 → Today)

Current political landscape in Texas with Republican control.

Blue-Dog Democrats

Centrist, rural political party who have largely faded. founded as a group of conservative political party in 1995 in response to defeats in the 1994 elections.

Tea Party (2009+)

Movement advocating for fiscal conservatism and limited government.

Precinct organization

Local grassroots level of party organization.

County Executive Committee

Manages county elections within party organization.

State Executive Committee

Writes party platform and selects delegates.

Police Powers

State authority for health, safety, morals, welfare.

Dual Federalism

Distinct powers between state and federal governments pre-1930s.

Cooperative Federalism

Shared powers between state and federal governments post-New Deal.

Coercive Federalism

Federal mandates & grants pressuring states.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Established implied powers and federal supremacy.

Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

Defined interstate commerce power.

Texas v. White (1869)

Established that no state can secede.

Nullification Crisis (1832)

Conflict over federal tariffs leading to assertion of national supremacy.

Sharpstown Scandal (1971-72)

Banking fraud that led to failed constitutional reform in 1974.

Equal Protection Clause (14th Amendment)

Restricts state discrimination.

Voting Rights Act & Preclearance

Federal oversight of Texas election changes (pre-2013).

Unfunded Mandates

Federal requirements imposed on states without full funding.

Railroad Commission

Regulates oil & gas industries in Texas.

NAFTA → USMCA

Trade agreements that boosted Texas border trade.

Texas Population

Approximately 30 million; 40% Hispanic, 40% White, 13% Black, 5% Asian.

Urbanization in Texas

85% urban population with a young median age and rapid growth.

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