Texas Government Lecture Notes Flashcards

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the Texas Government lecture notes.

Committee

A group of people that makes decisions, especially for bills.

Federalism

The sharing of power between a central and sub-governments.

Black Codes

Limit the freedom of African Americans after the Civil War.

Traditionalistic Political Culture

Want government to have a limited role in preserving societal order.

Individualistic Political Culture

Distrust for government.

Popular Sovereignty

Power of the government comes from the people.

Horizontal Federalism

Constitutional regulation of the relationship between and among the states.

Vertical Federalism

Views that the federal constitution is superior to state constitutions, particularly in matters of defense, foreign policy, and commerce.

Filibuster

To delay/obstruct progress but without breaking rules by endlessly talking about bills.

Gerrymandering

When legislators change the boundaries of districts to gain a political advantage.

Redistricting

Change the boundaries so each district has the same population.

Special Sessions

Meetings of a legislature that occur outside the regular session; in Texas, called by the governor and last for up to thirty days.

Full Faith & Credit Clause

State courts respect the laws and judgments of courts from other states

Delegate Theory of Representation

The official ONLY represents the views of the district; acts on behalf of the majority regardless of their own beliefs.

Trustee Theory of Representation

Act in the best interests of the constituency; has access to additional info unknown to the public, allowing for better decision making.

Politico Approach to Representation

Hybrid of the delegate & Trustee theories.

Microcosm Theory of Representation

Legislation resembles the constituency it represents; Representation based on geography; Direct connection between representatives and constituents; Representatives are assumed to be able to act on behalf of all constituents, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religious background, etc.

Supermajority

A majority larger than 50% + 1

Constitution of Coahuila y Texas (1827)

Adopted while Texas was still part of Mexico; recognized Texas as a Mexican state with Coahuila.

Constitution of the Republic of Texas (1836)

Declared independence from Mexico and constituted Texas as an independent republic; slavery was legal as long as slaves were imported from the U.S.; Separation of church and state.

Constitution of 1845

Texas was admitted to the Union as the 28th state; Bicameral legislature.

Civil War Constitution (1861)

Adopted after the state seceded from the Union and joined the Confederacy in 1861; Prohibited emancipation of slaves.

Constitution of 1866

Short lived; Texas was seeking readmission to the Union after the Civil War and before the Reconstruction era; Abolished slavery.

Reconstruction Constitution (1869)

Power was centralized in the state government; Local governments were significantly weakened; Represented the sentiments of Radical Reconstructionists but not of most Texans.

Texas Constitution (1876)

Adopted at the end of Reconstruction and amended 498 times since; This is the constitution under which Texas currently functions; Highly restrictive on the powers of government, the legislature, and other state officials

Legislative Immunity

Legislatures do not have to fear speaking their views as they cannot be sued; also, governments can’t arrest them in order to interfere with the process of making laws (exceptions for treason, breach of peace, and felony).