Texas State Government Midterm Review

Flashcards covering definitions, constitutional history, and governmental structures for the Texas State Government midterm exam.

Texas Political Culture

Characterized primarily as individualistic and traditionalistic.

Individualistic subculture

The idea that individuals should be free from community intervention, such as government, and that the government should only perform tasks demanded by the people it serves.

Traditionalistic subculture

Most prevalent in areas similar to the Old South, it views government as having a limited role focused on preserving the existing social order.

Moralistic subculture

A rare view in Texas that community pressure is necessary for the public good, government is a positive force, and citizens have a duty to participate.

Texas Constitution

A long and specific written document that outlines government powers, sets limitations on those powers, and protects basic rights.

Constitution of Coahuila y Tejas (1827)

A Mexican constitution that divided government into three branches, declared the state independent of others, and prohibited slavery.

Constitution of the Republic of Texas (1836)

Adopted after independence, it contained a declaration of rights.

Constitution of 1845

Established Texas as the 28th state of the Union and placed limits on the power of the legislature.

Constitution of 1861

Effective during secession from the Union, it protected the institution of slavery while outlawing the slave trade.

Constitution of 1866

Adopted post-Civil War, it established equal rights for all freemen but required members of the legislature to be white men.

Constitution of 1869

A constitution that forbade slavery and granted African Americans the right to vote.

Constitution of 1876

The document effective today which provided for homestead and public land grants and established the Permanent School Fund.

Constitutional amendment

A change or addition to the constitution requiring a $\frac{2}{3}$ vote from the legislature.

Principles of Texas Constitution

Includes Popular sovereignty, Limited government, Separation of Powers, Checks & Balances, Federalism, and Protection of Individual Rights.

Executive Branch Weakness (Constitution of 1876)

Characterized by fragmented responsibility and authority, making it difficult for the governor to set policy priorities.

Legislative Branch Weakness (Constitution of 1876)

The creation of a part-time legislature limited the ability to meet the needs of a modern state.

Grange

Also known as the Patrons of Husbandry (founded in 1867), this group of farmers helped author the 19th-century constitution to promote agricultural and economic interests.

Devolution

The process of returning power to state governments.

Supremacy clause

The section in the U.S. Constitution guaranteeining that the national government is the supreme law of the land and supersedes state laws.

Cooperative federalism

The theory that both levels of government cooperate on specific policy areas rather than maintaining distinct, separate spheres of policy.

Formula grant

Federal contributions to state and local governments for mandated programs like Medicaid health insurance, public education, and transportation.

Block grant

National funds given to state and local governments for a broad purpose, carrying fewer restrictions on how money is spent.

Categorical grant

National money provided to states and local governments that must be used for specific activities.

Project grant

A method of government funding for specific ideas and projects intended to provide public services and stimulate the economy.

Welfare reform bill

Legislation aimed at reducing dependency on government assistance programs, such as food stamps and TANF, by implementing work requirements.

Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)

A law that defined marriage as between a man and woman for federal purposes and allowed states to adopt their own definitions.

Patriot Act

A U.S. law granting law enforcement expanded powers to prevent terrorist attacks and prohibited harboring persons committed to terrorist offenses.

Redistricting

The periodic adjustment of electoral district boundary lines, typically following the census every 10 years.

Gerrymandering

A redistricting technique where politicians create oddly shaped districts to maximize their political advantage.

Special session

A legislative meeting called by the governor that occurs outside the regular session and lasts up to $30$ days.

Filibuster

An effort to kill a bill in the Senate by engaging in unlimited debate and refusing to yield the floor, preventing a vote.

Standing committee

A permanent, chamber-specific formal work group that exists across legislative sessions.

Calendar committee

The committee in charge of managing which bills and resolutions reach the House floor for consideration.

Conference committee

An official legislative group that meets to reconcile different versions of a bill passed by the Texas House and Senate.

Plural executive

An executive branch where power is divided among several, mostly elected, officeholders rather than a single governor.

Comptroller

An officeholder who collects taxes, invests state funds, estimates revenue, and oversees state payments for goods and services.

Informal power of governor

Powers based on factors other than those explicitly enumerated in the constitution, such as media access and relationship with party leaders.

Senatorial courtesy

The informal requirement that a gubernatorial appointee must have the approval of their own state senator to gain support in the Texas Senate.

Impeachment

The formal procedure to indict and remove an elected official from office for misdeeds.

Lieutenant Governor

The presiding officer of the Texas Senate who assumes the governor's duties if the governor is out of state, dies, or is impeached.

Speaker

The presiding officer of the Texas House of Representatives.

Attorney General

The chief legal adviser for the state who represents Texas in court and issues advisory legal opinions.

Secretary of State

The only constitutional officer appointed by the governor; responsible for business licensing and the supervision of elections.

Texas Railroad Commission

A three-member board elected statewide to six-year terms that oversees railroad safety and the oil, natural gas, and mining industries.

State Board of Education

A fifteen-member board elected from single-member districts responsible for textbook selection, curriculum standards, and the Permanent School Fund.

Agricultural Commissioner

The head of the Texas Department of Agriculture who implements agricultural laws and regulates the sector.

Sunset review

A formal, periodic assessment of the effectiveness of all state statutory boards, commissions, and agencies.

Veto power

The governor's formal power to reject bills; can be overridden by a $\frac{2}{3}$ vote in both the House and Senate.

Line Item veto

The executive's ability to selectively reject specific parts of a spending or budget bill.

Pay-as-you-go principle

A fiscal discipline requiring a balanced budget and permitting borrowing only under very specific circumstances.

Sunshine act

Laws, such as the Texas Public Information Act and Open Public Meetings Act, designed to make government transparent and accessible.