In-Depth Notes on Texas Political Culture, Parties, and Government Structure

Definition: Texas political culture encompasses people's collective attitudes about government and politics, shaping the role citizens should play.
Public Opinion: The aggregate view of individuals on various issues formed through socialization.
Political Participation: In Texas, ordinary citizens engage through
- Running for office
- Displaying preferences via yard signs, buttons, or bumper stickers
- Working for candidates through block walking or phone calls
State Employees: Can join labor unions, but cannot engage in collective bargaining.
Demographics: Texas has a majority minority population, currently growing faster than other states, impacting the electoral college.
- Electoral Votes Calculation: States have electors equal to their US Senators (2) plus US House representatives (38). A candidate needs 270 electoral votes to win the presidency. If no candidate achieves this, the House of Representatives decides who becomes president.

Function: Parties select candidates for general elections; runoff primaries occur if no candidate receives a majority.
Party Strength: The party system in Texas is considered weak, with 50 state party structures leading to limited influence from interest groups.
Dominant Party: Texas is a one-party Republican state, with the Republican party gaining prominence since the 1952 election of Eisenhower and solidifying dominance in the 1980s.
Minor Parties: Presence of alternative parties like the Green Party and Libertarian Party but lacking significant success.
Ideology: Political parties exhibit a range of ideological views influenced by Texas' unique demographics.

Definition: State and local interest groups protect local government interests against state interference.
Influence on Amendments: Interest groups significantly impact the passage of constitutional amendments.

Eligibility: All registered individuals must provide proof of identity and residency to vote.
Primary System: Texas employs an open (or semi-open) primary system.
Party Structure:
- State executive committees consist of equal representation of men and women.
- County chairs manage party headquarters, fund-raise, conduct primaries, and count ballots.
- Lower-level participation occurs at precinct conventions, open to anyone who voted in that party’s primary.
Control of Elections: Managed by the Secretary of State, with no straight ticket voting allowed.

Definition: Constitutions are contracts between the state and the populace, characterized by popular sovereignty and limited government.
Federalism: The division of power between national and sub-national units; examples include:
- Federal funding for infrastructure (highways)
- State sets highway speed limits
- Local governments maintain city services such as libraries
Historical Issues: Problems with the 1836 Constitution included:
- Abolition of slavery
- Suspension of the 1824 Mexican Constitution
- Attacks on Anglo farms and Catholicism as the official religion
1869 Constitution: Centralized government, abolished county courts, allowed former male slaves the right to vote, state control of public schools, and strong gubernatorial authority.
1876 Constitution: A response against the centralized power of Governor E.J. Davis, who was a radical republican amid predominantly Democratic sentiments.

Structure: Bicameral with 150 House and 31 Senate members.
Session Length: Legislative sessions last 140 days in odd-numbered years.
Qualifications:
- Senate: 26 years old, resident for 5 years, 1 year in the district
- House: 21 years old, resident for 2 years, 1 year in the district
Terms of Office:
- Senators serve 4 years (standard US Senators serve 6 years)
- House members serve 2 years (same as US House members)
Legislative Salary: $7,200 annually.
Bill Passing: Bills must navigate committees and receive majority approval in both chambers; post-60 days, a 4/5 vote is needed. Most bills are passed in the final two weeks of the session.
Power Dynamics: Dominance by leadership roles such as the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate (Lt. Governor).

Most Powerful: Standing committees hold significant legislative power.
Speaker of the House: Appoints committee chairs, members, presides over sessions, and refers bills to committees.
Senate President: Manages proceedings in the Senate.

Qualifications: Governorship and lieutenant governorship require specific age, citizenship, and residency statuses.
Governor's Powers: Considered weak compared to others due to the need for Senate approval for appointments, independence of executive department heads, and historical distrust following E.J. Davis's tenure.
- Limited administrative, budgetary, and clemency powers but strong tenure and veto authority.
Lieutenant Governor Powers: Equivalent to the Speaker of the House in powers within the Senate.
Term Length: 4 years with no term limits; only two governors have been recalled (though not permitted in Texas).

Revenue Sources: State revenue primarily from sales tax, with high oil prices buffering against national recessions.
- Texas leads in national oil production.
Local Revenue Source: Predominantly from property tax.
Appointing Administrators: Appointments are made by the Governor and confirmed by the Texas Senate.
Criticism of the Education Board: Noted for de-emphasizing civil rights movement contributions, religious freedoms, and significant historical figures like Thomas Jefferson.

To be eligible for the presidency in the United States, an individual must meet the following qualifications: