Texas Independence and Government

When did Texas join the union?

Texas joined the Union as the 28th state in 1845

When was the Texas Constitution written?

Written in 1876, with over 500 amendments

What is the Texas Creed?

1836 Constitution protecting slavery and slaveholders' rights

Population Demographics at the Time of Independence

Diverse population including Native Americans, Mexicans, Tejanos, Anglo settlers, and African Americans

Primary Motivation for Texas Independence

Cultural, political, and economic factors, desire for local autonomy and preservation of slaveholding practices

Traditionalist Interpretation

Emphasizes heroic actions of Anglo settlers and Texan fight for independence

Revisionist Interpretation

Balanced view, incorporating perspectives of Native Americans, Tejanos, and Mexican settlers

Individualistic Political Culture

Emphasizes individual achievement and limited government intervention

Traditionalistic Political Culture

Values social hierarchy and supports existing political order

Moralistic Political Culture

Emphasizes collective good and active citizen participation

Provincial Political Culture

Focus on local concerns and limited government intervention

Amendment Process

Proposed by Texas Legislature or constitutional convention, approved by voters

Length of Texas Constitution

Notably long with over 500 amendments

Founding Principles of Texas Constitution

Protection of individual rights, limited government intervention, separation of powers, popular sovereignty

Powers of the Texas Governor

Executive, legislative, and limited judicial powers

Weaknesses of Texas Governor

Plural executive system, veto override by two-thirds majority

Plural Executive

Division of executive powers among multiple elected officeholders

Texas Attorney General

State's chief legal officer, provides legal advice to state agencies

Comptroller

Manages state's finances and tax collection

Secretary of State

Oversees elections, maintains official state records

Bill Becoming Law

Introduced, reviewed, amended, voted on, approved by both chambers, signed by governor

Companion Bill

Second bill addressing the same issue as the first bill

Texas Legislative Schedule

Regular session for 140 days every odd-numbered year, divided into parts

When was Republic of Texas Established?

It was established in 1836

Veto

Governor's power to reject a bill, overridden by two-thirds majority

Line-Item Veto

Governor's power to veto specific provisions within a bill

Bicameral Legislature

Two separate chambers: House of Representatives and Senate

Speaker of the House

Elected presiding officer of the House of Representatives

Lieutenant Governor

Elected presiding officer of the Senate

Formal Powers of Texas Legislature

Passing laws, approving state budget, levying taxes, impeachment

Resolution

Formal expression of Legislature's opinion or decision

Law

Rule or regulation established and enforced by government

Quorum

Minimum number of members required for official business

Tenth Amendment

Reserves powers to states or people, supports federalism

Checks and Balances

Limits powers of each branch of government

Balance of Power

Division of power between federal and state governments

Redistricting

Redrawing electoral district boundaries in response to population changes

Social Construction

Societal concepts and categories shaped by social interactions and institutions