Exam 1 - chapters 1-3, political science texas state gov

texas constitution criticism

Long, detailed, confusing

Differences b/n texas and US constitutions

Texas: long, specific | US: Short, flexable

Main criticism of the Texas legislature

Powers are restricted, legislature has limited time to meet.

Why is the concept of federalism controversial?

They disagree about how power should be divided between national and state government.

Texas joins the United States.

Because of slavery

The integration of Texas into the United States, how it happened, and under what conditions

The Mexican-American War, with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, it was annexed into the United States.

Black codes.

Laws that limit the rights of former slaves

Popular sovereignty

Government that is ruled by people

Main criticism of the Texas Constitution

Long and confusing.

The United States Constitution restricts government power.

Checks and balances.

According to the book, the most prominent feature of the current Texas Constitution is

It's length and detail.

Vertical federalism.

Distribution of power between national and state governments

Horizontal federalism.

Distribution of power at the state government level

Basic characteristics of the Texas legislator

Bicameral, 140 days every 2 years

What the Texas legislature CAN do

It can pass laws, approve a budget, raise taxes, and propose amendments.

What the Texas legislature CANT do

Constitutional laws by the United States or Texas

How often does the Texas Legislature meet in regular session, once every year?

Every 2 years, 140 days.

What are some of the reasons why Texas established a bicameral legislature?

House and senate: checks and balances

Microcism

Legislature should reflect the diversity of the Texas population.

Trustee

Reps use their own judgment to make decisions.

political / delegate

Reps make decisions on what the constituents want.

What was the significance of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo?

Ended the war and gave the United States Texas and other territories

Redistricting

One person = one vote, redrawing voting districts

Gerrymandering.

Giving one political party an advantage by redrawing voting district boundaries

Imagine if you were one of the founding fathers and you favor a federal system. In order to convince them it's not going to become tyrannical, what would be your argument?

no flipping clue: checks and balances, power to the people, voting ?

Know what the full faith and credit clause are

States must recognize the laws, records, and court decisions of other states.

What was the requirement for states that left the Union to be part of the U.S. once again after the Civil War?

States must ratify the 13th Amendment and accept the end of slavery.

Why is it important to make legislative immunity?

Text lawmakers from lawsuits or arrest for official legislative action, letting them do their job.

This must happen before redistricting ever happens.

A census to count the population

Native American groups and their characteristics

Culture, language, and tradition.

Maps of political cultures: traditionalistic

Culture that values tradition and keeping them the way they are ?

Which demographic trend is currently reshaping the political and economic landscape in Texas?

This is increasingly diverse population, Hispanics

Characteristics to run for office = terms in office, the minimum years. Senate & House

Senate = 4 years, House = 2 years.