Texas Government and Public Policy - Video Notes Review

A set of practice flashcards focusing on key concepts from the lecture notes on political culture, Texas government structure, constitutional revision, and local government.

What is political culture?

Widely shared values, attitudes, traditions, habits, and general behavior patterns that develop over time and shape politics and public policy in a region.

Maquiladoras

Industrial plants on the Mexican side of the border partnered with American firms; they use low-cost labor to assemble imported parts and export goods back to the U.S. or other countries.

Federal grants-in-aid

Money appropriated by the U.S. Congress to help states and local governments provide needed facilities and services.

Constitutional Revision

Extensive or complete rewriting of a constitution.

Intergovernmental Relations

Relationships between and among different governments at the same or different levels.

Metro Government

Consolidation of units of local government within an urban area under a single authority.

National Supremacy Clause

Article VI of the U.S. Constitution; federal law, treaties, and Acts of Congress prevail over state constitutions and laws.

The most disorganized part of the Texas Constitution relates to

Local government

Constitutional Revision Convention

Delegates/legislators who meet to make extensive changes in a constitution or draft a new constitution.

Texas Water Development Board

Conducts statewide water planning as mandated by state law.

Government

A public institution with the authority to formulate, adopt, implement, and enforce public policies for a society.

Sheriff

The chief law enforcement officer in a county, responsible for keeping the peace and maintaining the jail.

Difference between public policy and government

Government is the public institution that creates or enacts public policy; public policy is what the government does or does not do for its citizens.

DREAM Act

Allows undocumented immigrants brought as children to pay in-state tuition if they meet diploma/GED, have been in-state for at least 3 years, and are seeking legal residency.

SB4

Texas law allowing officers to question immigration status of detainees/arrested individuals and requiring local governments, colleges, and universities to cooperate with federal immigration officers.

Border Patrol costs

Increased costs are very expensive and not as effective as desired.

Trump zero tolerance policy consequences

Policy led to family separations; detention facilities were unsanitary with reported child deaths and sexual abuse; COVID-19 affected offices and procedures.

Amendment process

Steps: Proposal in House/Senate; 2/3 approval in both; explanation/publication by Secretary of State (AG approval); public notice in county courthouses for 30 days; voter approval by simple majority; Governor certification (cannot stop passage).

Revision efforts

Revision attempts began after 1876; 1969 removed 56 obsolete provisions; 1971 constitutional convention authorized; many propositions/conventions held; 21st century saw more piecemeal revision.

Piecemeal constitutional revision

Using incremental amendments to modify the constitution—leading to changes like property tax appraisal districts and expanded criminal appellate jurisdiction.

Strong Mayor-Council form

Mayor elected at large with significant appointment, budgetary, and veto powers; strong leadership and responsive administration.

Weak Mayor-Council form

Mayor has limited administrative powers; council shares executive functions; vetoes can be overridden; less common in large Texas cities.

Council-Manager form

Elected city council or commission hires a professional city manager to handle day-to-day operations; lacks a single strong executive.

Commission form

No pure form in Texas; elected commissioners form a policy-making board with each department led by a commissioner.

Counties in Texas

Texas has 254 counties; counties manage state-m mandated tasks and provide public services, varying in scope between rural and metropolitan areas.

Special Districts

Fastest growing form of local government; categorized into school and non-education districts; typically focused on one function and may overlap with other local governments.

Municipal vs. County government

Municipalities govern cities with local services; counties cover broader geographic areas and state-mandated tasks like licenses, elections, taxation, health and welfare, vital records; both exist under state constitution.

Metropolitan vs. Rural counties

Metropolitan counties offer a broader range of urban services and demographics; rural counties emphasize lower taxes and fewer services.

Functions of counties

Issuing licenses, enforcing laws, registering voters, conducting elections, collecting taxes, and providing health, welfare, vital records, and various licenses.