Texas Government and Constitution Review Flashcards

This set contains key vocabulary terms and definitions related to Texas government, including its ethnic data, political subcultures, constitutional history, legislative procedures, and major state policies.

Minority-majority state

A state where Anglos make up less than $50\%$ of the population, as seen in Texas with Anglos at $45.3\%$, African Americans at $11.5\%$, and Hispanics at $37.6\%$ as of 2010.

Individualistic Subculture

The idea dominant in Mid-Atlantic states that individuals should be free of government intervention, viewing politics as a marketplace or business venture where elected officials pursue self-interest.

Traditionalistic subculture

A view prevalent in the Old South and parts of Texas that government's limited role is to preserve the existing social order through a hierarchical political order ruled by an elite.

Moralistic subculture

A view from Northern states that government can be a positive force for the public good and that citizens have a duty to participate to promote general welfare.

Texas Constitution

A long and specific written document outlining government powers and limitations; the current version is the Constitution of 1876, which features a strong distrust of government.

Popular Sovereignty

A principle included in the Texas Preamble stating that the power to govern is derived from the will of the people.

Separation of Powers

The distribution of powers between different branches of government to prevent any single branch from gaining too much power.

Limited Government Power

The main principle of the Texas constitution ensuring minimal government involvement due to historical distrust of central authority.

Social Contract Theory

The protection of individual rights through a Bill of Rights, ensuring the people's rights are protected from the government.

Constitutional Convention of 1974

A failed attempt to revise the 1876 constitution that fell just $3$ votes short of the required $\frac{2}{3}$ vote for approval.

Constitution of Coahuila and Texas (1827)

The constitution adopted when Texas was part of Mexico, featuring a Unicameral Legislature and requiring citizens to join the Catholic Church.

Constitution of the Republic of Texas (1836)

A brief and flexible document influenced by the U.S. Constitution that created three separate branches and legalized slavery after independence from Mexico.

Grange (Patrons of Husbandry)

An economic and political organization of farmers founded in 1867 that helped write and ratify the Constitution of 1876 to protect agricultural interests.

Right-to-work

Laws stating that workers have the right to work without being forced to join a labor union, often associated with lower wages and fewer benefits.

Devolution

The process of returning power to state governments, created by the 10th amendment; the Welfare Act is a primary example.

Supremacy clause

An article in the U.S. Constitution guaranteeing that national laws and the constitution supersede state laws as the supreme law of the land.

Unfunded mandates

National government requirements imposed on states without providing the necessary funds, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Clean Air Act.

Cooperative federalism

The theory suggesting that federal and state governments cooperate within specific policy areas rather than maintaining distinct arenas.

Formula grant

Federal funds distributed based on a mathematical formula involving state demographics, income, and education levels for programs like Medicaid.

Project grant

Federal funding available for specific projects for which state and local governments must compete by applying.

Categorical fund

National money given to states that must be spent on specific activities, often used to set national policy goals in state areas.

Patriot Act

A U.S. law signed by George W. Bush after 9/11 that expanded federal power to combat terrorism through increased surveillance and detention authority.

Pluralism

The view that democracy is healthiest when citizens participate through a wide variety of organized interest groups.

Elitism

The view that the upper-class elite holds most of the power and that interest groups are controlled by the wealthy.

Iron Triangle

A policy-making relationship consisting of Interest Groups, Elected Representatives, and Administrative Agencies.

Lobbying

Direct contact with legislative or executive members to influence action; Texas law requires registration if spending exceeds $\$500$ or compensation exceeds $\$1000$ in $3$ months.

Political Action Committee (PAC)

The fund-raising arm of an interest group organized to raise and spend money for candidates, protected by courts as free speech.

Redistricting

The periodic adjustment of electoral district boundaries every $10$ years after the census to ensure equal representation.

Voting Rights Act

A federal statute that eliminated literacy tests, enforced the 15th amendment, and required federal oversight for jurisdictions with histories of discrimination.

Gerrymandering

The practice of drawing electoral districts in odd shapes to maximize political advantage for a specific party or group.

Regular legislative session

Meetings of the Texas Legislature that occur every other year for a period of $140$ days.

Special sessions

Legislative meetings called by the governor that last up to $30$ days and are limited to subjects decided by the governor.

Legislative immunity

Special rights granted to legislators making them immune to arrests during a legislative session.

Senatorial courtesy

An informal custom where a governor's appointee must have the approval of their own state senator to obtain Texas Senate confirmation.

Lieutenant Governor

The presiding officer of the Texas Senate and a member of the Executive branch who assumes governor duties if the office is vacant.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the Texas House of Representatives, elected by members at the start of each session.

Standing committee

A permanent, chamber-specific committee that exists across different sessions and elections to review introduced bills.

Conference committee

A special $10$-member committee ($5$ from each chamber) formed to reconcile different versions of a bill passed by the House and Senate.

Two-thirds rule

The requirement for a supermajority (2/3) in the legislature to overturn a veto, pass an amendment, or move a bill up the calendar.

Attorney General

The chief legal adviser for the state who represents Texas in court and issues advisory opinions on legal matters.

Secretary of State

A governor-appointed official responsible for business licensing, administering the Texas Election Code, and serving as Chief International Protocol Officer.

Texas Railroad Commission

A three-member elected body that regulates the oil and gas industry, environment protection, and alternative energy.

State Board of Education (SBOE)

A $15$-member elected committee that approves state curriculum, textbooks, and passing scores for state testing.

Agricultural Commissioner

The head of the Texas Department of Agriculture responsible for weights and measures, gas pump inspections, and school nutrition programs.

Sunset review

The formal assessment conducted every $12$ years by a $12$-member commission to evaluate the effectiveness of state agencies.

Post Adjournment Veto

An absolute veto by the governor after the legislative session has ended, which cannot be overturned by the legislature.

Pay-as-you-go principle

A fiscal rule in Texas requiring a balanced budget and permitting borrowing only under specific, limited circumstances.

Plea bargain

An arrangement where a defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a more lenient sentence from the prosecutor.

Home Rule City

A city with $5,000$ or more people that has been granted the power to create its own city charter and make administrative changes without state permission.

Regressive tax

A tax system where lower-income individuals pay a higher proportion of their income than wealthy individuals; Texas is ranked as the 3rd most regressive in the U.S.

House Bill 72

Legislation that limited class sizes, introduced the 'No Pass, No Play' rule for athletes, and required teacher literacy tests.

Robin Hood Plan

A funding system established after Edgewood v. Kirby where wealthy school districts redistribute property tax funds to help poorer school districts.

Permanent University Fund (PUF)

An endowment funded by mineral rights on $2.1$ million acres of land supporting the University of Texas and Texas A&M systems.