Texas Government Vocabulary

Flashcards covering key vocabulary from Texas government lectures.

Daniel Elazar Places Texas

The intersection of Individualistic and Traditionalistic political cultures.

Urbanization

When people move from rural to urban areas.

Spindletop Hill Oil Discovery

Ushered in a new economic era for Texas in 1901.

Federal system

Power-sharing arrangement between a central governing authority and individual political units.

Unfunded mandates

Federal or state legislation that requires states to implement policies but does not supply funding.

Block grants

Fixed funds transferred to states for implementing a policy or program.

Categorical grants

Funds distributed to state/local governments for programs requiring states to meet federal conditions.

Matching grants

Funds that states add to supplement specific federal government programs.

Concurrent powers

Powers shared between state and federal governments.

Limited government

A political system in which the government's powers are restricted and balanced with individual liberty

Full faith and credit clause

Requires that each state respect the laws and proceedings of other states.

Supremacy clause

Establishes that the U.S. Constitution and federal laws shall be the supreme law of the land.

Constitution

A document that lays out the principles and responsibilities of government and specifies the powers of the branches of government and elected officials

Bill of rights

A formal declaration of the rights of the citizens within government

Homestead law

Prevents Texans from losing their homes in the event of bankruptcy or other financial problems

Separation of powers

Vests political, judicial, and policymaking authority in different branches of government.

Plural executive

Diffusion of authority and power throughout several entities in the executive branch.

Popular sovereignty

Rule by the people.

Suffrage

The right to participate in the electoral process by voting

Select committee

Is temporary and has a fixed issue to investigate or legislation to consider

Bicameral legislature

Legislative body with two chambers or houses

Special sessions

Legislative sessions that can be called by the governor on any issue the governor decides requires attention

Standing committee

Permanent committees that deal with a specific issue or topic

Sine Die

Indicates the end of a legislative session