Eric DeBruin GOVT 2306 Study Guide Mid Term 1

What year was the republic of Texas established?

March 2, 1836

What year did Texas join the Union?

December 29, 1845

What year was the current Texas Constitution written?

1876

What is the Texas Creed? How does it define early Texas history and impact the political culture of Texas?

The belief that certain races of people (Anglos) were more accomplished and more justified in inheriting the land than were others / that Anglos were justified in using violence to create and sustain Anglo dominance.

How does the Texas Creed define early Texas history and impact the political culture of Texas?

This creed favored an agrarian, or plantation, lifestyle. Most Texans ultimately came to believe that only white people were capable of enjoying the new liberal freedoms of the evolving nation and that this was the only way to preserve the purity of their cultural improvement on the land. People of color had to get out of the way of liberal, democratic progress.

What were the population demographics (relative size of each group in relation to one another) of Texas at the time of Independence?

Largest - Native Americans/American Indians

Second largest - Tejanos

Smallest - Anglos

What was the primary motivation of Texas for declaring independence from Mexico?

To keep slavery

What is the difference between a Traditionalist and a Revisionist interpretation of Texas history?

Traditionalists think of the story about how Jim Bowie, Davy Crockett, and William Barrett Travis fought valiantly at the Alamo to fight against Santa Anna's tyranny to buy time for Sam Houston. Revisionists tend to think the entire Texas Revolt was more about protecting slavery from Mexico's abolitionist government than it was about opposing Santa Anna's supposed tyranny.

Moralism

Puritan New England

Citizens view government as a public service and expect government to improve conditions for the people through economic regulation and to advance the public good in order to create a just society. Citizens see it as their duty to become active in governmental decision-making through participation in politics and government, and they hold the government accountable to their high expectations.

Individualism

Mid-Atlantic colonies (mostly English-speaking White settlers)

Views government as an adversary that uses taxes and regulations to limit economic freedom. Saw government as mostly negative and advancers (business leaders) want to limit its size.

Traditionalism

Old South, rooted in feudal-like notions of society and government developed in the context of slave states.

Government is a vehicle for maintaining the status quo and its hierarchy.

What is a provincial political culture and how does it apply to Texas?

A narrow, limited, and self-interested view of the world that is often associated with rural values and notions of limited government.

What is the process through which the Texas Constitution is amended?

1. A joint resolution proposing an amendment is introduced in the House or in the Senate during a regular session or during a special session called by the governor.

2. Two-thirds of the members in each chamber must adopt the resolution.

3. The secretary of state prepares an explanatory statement that briefly describes the proposed amendment, and the attorney general approves this statement.

4. The explanatory statement is published twice in Texas newspapers that print official state notices.

5. A copy of the proposed amendment is posted in each county courthouse at least 30 days before the election.

6. The voters must approve the proposed amendment by a simple majority vote in a regular or special election.

7. The governor, who has no veto power in the process, issues a proclamation certifying the election results.

Is the Texas constitution generally considered to be short or long as compared to constitutions of others states within the U.S.A.?

Texas's state constitution is very long yet also lacks organization.

What are the founding principles of Texas Constitution?

Republicanism, self-government, individualism

What are the executive, judicial powers and legislative powers of the governor?

Executive:

1. Deal with problems caused by civil disorder and natural disasters

2. Participate in state budget making and budget management

3. Announce policies by issuing executive orders

4. Make public proclamations for ceremonial and other purposes

5. Promote the economic development of Texas

Judicial:

1. Fill vacancies on state (but not county or city) courts

2. Play a limited but outdated role in removing judges and justices

3. Perform acts of clemency to undo or reduce sentences for some convicted criminals

Legislative:

1. Delivering messages to the legislature

2. Signing bills and concurrent resolutions

3. Vetoing bills and concurrent resolutions

4. Calling special sessions of the legislature

Why is the office of governor of Texas is traditionally considered a weak office?

The Texas Constitution weakens the governor's power and spreads their power among executive officials.

What do we mean by the plural executive, who makes up the plural executive (be able to name at least three besides governor), how are they selected, and what do they do?

The governor, elected department heads, and the secretary of state, as provided by the Texas constitution and statutes in charge of making decisions and giving orders.

Lieutenant Governor, The Comptroller of Public Accounts, Commissioner of Agriculture, Commissioner of the General Land Office and The Secretary of State (and the governor)They are selected by the state's electorate (voters) every four years.

The plural executive oversees the executive branch and work to ensure no one person has too much power.

What are the pros and cons of a plural executive?

Prevents abuse of power and officials must defend their positions to be elected.

Elections take a long time and the plural executive could fight amongst each other.

What is a veto, and how is this different from a line item veto?

A veto is the power that presidents and governors have to reject a bill that has been approved by Congress and sent to the executive branch for a signature. A line-item veto is different because it gives governors the ability to veto specific parts of a bill without killing the whole bill off

Can a veto be overruled and if so how?

The Texas constitution requires a vote of "two-thirds of the membership present" in the first chamber that considers a vetoed bill and a vote of "two-thirds of the members" in the second chamber to override the governor's veto.

What is the role of the Texas attorney general, the comptroller, and secretary of state?

The Texas attorney general serves as the state's chief legal officer, providing legal advice and representation. The comptroller manages the state's finances and revenue collection, while the secretary of state oversees elections and maintains official state records.

Explain the process through which a bill becomes a law, and what a companion bill is.

1. Bill is introduced. A companion bill, is usally introduced by a senator in the Senate at the same time the bill is introduced in the House. This speeds passage of a bill because committee consideration may take place at the same time in both chambers.

2. First Reading and Referral to Committee.

3. House Committee Consideration and Report. Members may propose amendments to bill, additional text, or alter the bill.

4. Second Reading, Floor Debate, and Vote. This is when a blocker bill would be done

5. Third reading and Final Vote. Conference Committee if the bills in the two chambers are different

6. Gov Action. Ten days to sign or not sign. Gov can veto but can be overruled by a 2/3 vote in both chambers.

For how long and how often does the legislature meet? How are those days of a regular session scheduled(so if it divided into 30 days, 30 days, and 80 days, what occurs during each of those periods of time)?

The state legislature meets every second Tuesday in January of odd-numbered years. The maximum duration of a regular session is 140 days. Starts with 60 days with filing bills, the remaining days are for debating and voting on the bills.

What is the difference between a bicameral and a unicameral legislature?

A bicameral legislature is a legislative body made of two chambers. A unicameral legislature in which all members belong and vote in one House.

How long are term limits for Texas senators?

No term limits.

How long are the term limits for Texas house members?

No term limits.

How are the speaker of the house and the lieutenant governor chosen?

On the first day of a regular session, the House chooses one of their members as Speaker of the House. The lieutenant governor is chosen popularly similar to the governor.

What are the formal powers of the Texas Legislature?

1. Making Public Policy

2. Administrative and Investigative Powers

3. Impeachment and Removal Powers

4. Immunities. They may not be sued for slander or any statements made in a speech or debate

What is the role of the house and senate in the impeachment process?

The House has the power to impeach all elected state judges, elected executive officers (including the governor), and appointed state officials. After being impeached, an official is suspended from office until the Senate issues judgment. Following impeachment, the Senate conducts a proceeding with the Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court presiding, after which it renders judgment.

What is the difference between a resolution and a law?

A resolution does not have the formal power of a law but can hold the weight of one

What is the definition of a quorum?

The minimum amount of representatives needed to conduct business.

What article of the U.S. constitution formally identifies states powers?

The tenth amendment

What is federalism?

System of government where some powers belong to national government and some belong to the state government.

What are the principles of checks and balances and balance of power, and how are these principles exemplified through federalism and the process through which a bill becomes a law in Texas?

Federalism is power-sharing, and the branches can uses check and balances to limit power.

What is redistricting, why is redistricting necessary, and what are common problems of redistricting?

Drawing new borders of legislative districts. Districts must be made equal in population so communities have equal access to political representation. It can split groups or cluster them to reduce the power of one party’s vote making the other party win.

What is the definition of social construction?

an idea that has been created and accepted by the people in a society