GOVT 2306 Lecture 5

States That Refused to Raise the Drinking Age: Wyoming and Louisiana initially resisted raising the drinking age.
- Wyoming's Stance: The governor argued that drinking was a cultural norm in Wyoming, insisting on maintaining the status quo.
- Louisiana's Stance: Influenced by tourism and events like Mardi Gras, they viewed a lower drinking age as a draw for visitors.
Change in Stance: Eventually, both states conceded due to deteriorating road conditions and financial burdens of road repairs, necessitating a shift in policy.

Income Threshold: Medicaid can be accessed by individuals earning up to 133% above the poverty level.
Rationale for Policy: To encourage employment without fear of losing health coverage, allowing individuals to secure lower-paying jobs without losing Medicaid eligibility.

Texas as the 28th State: Texas joined the Union as the 28th state and has unique constitutional amendment procedures.
- Majority and Supermajority Votes: Amendments require a majority of public votes and a two-thirds legislative approval.
Legislative Sessions: The Texas legislature meets every two years (biannual) and has the capacity to convene special sessions if unexpected issues arise (e.g., natural disasters).
- Special Session Details: The governor can call special sessions up to thirty days; this is a key power for addressing urgent issues.

Two-Year Budget: The legislature is responsible for preparing a budget for a two-year period during regular sessions limited to 140 days.
Constitutional Requirement: The Texas constitution mandates a balanced budget, but allows borrowing under emergency circumstances with a supermajority.

Provisions Dedicated to Taxes: Over 74 provisions within the Texas constitution relate to taxation, including dedicated funds.
- Dedicated Funds Explanation: Funds collected (e.g., gasoline tax) are earmarked for specific programs, such as road maintenance (75%) and schools (25%).

Women’s Suffrage: The 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote in 1920.
Number of Constitutions: Texas has had seven constitutions; in comparison, Louisiana has had eleven constitutions, the most in the nation.

Weak Governor Concept: Power is shared among elected officials, leading to a weaker governorship compared to states like New Jersey, which has a powerful governor.
Constitutional Structure: Fragmenting power is believed to enhance checks and balances within state governance.

Volume of Texas Constitution: The Texas constitution comprises over 87,000 words; it is the second largest in the U.S. after Alabama's constitution, which had around 367,000 words.
Types of Constitutions: Distinction between statutory (detailed, specific) and liberal (open to interpretation) constitutions.
- Statutory More Common: Most states adopt detail-oriented constitutions to minimize ambiguity.

Amendment Process Differences: Texas has a higher rate of successful amendments compared to the U.S. Constitution (over 500 amendments in Texas vs. 27 total for the U.S.).
Historical Context of Amendments: U.S. amendments are harder to pass due to the legislative hurdles involved, contrasting with Texas's more lenient process.

Engagement with Constitutional Content: Importance of understanding the implications of constitutional structures and policies on state governance and citizen rights.
Invitation for Questions: Encouragement for students to reach out via email for clarifications or further discussions before the weekend.