Texas%20Constitution%20and%20Limited%20Government

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Texas ConstitutionandLimited Government

• Seven Principles of Government

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State of Texas Constitution of 1876

• Republicanism a belief that government should
  be based on the consent of the people people
  exercise their power by voting for political
  representatives
• Article III. SEC. 4. The members of the House of
  Representatives shall be chosen by the qualified
  electors, and their term of office shall be two
  years from the day of their election.

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State of Texas Constitution of 1876

• Limited Government the principle that requires
  all U.S. citizens, including government leaders,
  to obey the law
• Article III. SEC. 14. Senators and
  representatives shall, except in cases of
  treason, felony or breach of peace, be privileged
  from arrest during the session of the
  Legislature, and in going to and returning from
  the same, allowing one day for every twenty miles
  such member may reside from the place at which
  the Legislature is convened.

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State of Texas Constitution of 1876

• Checks and Balances the ability of each branch
  of government to exercise checks, or controls,
  over the other branches
• Article IV. SEC. 14. Every bill which shall have
  passed both houses of the Legislature shall be
  presented to the governor for his approval. If he
  approve he shall sign it but if he disapprove
  it, he shall return it with his objections, to
  the house in which it originated, which house
  shall enter the objections at large upon its
  journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If, after
  such reconsideration, two-thirds of the members
  present agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent,
  with the objections, in the other house, by which
  likewise it shall be reconsidered and, if
  approved by two-thirds of the members of that
  house, it shall become a law but in such cases
  the votes of both houses shall be determined by
  yeas and nays, and the names of the members
  voting for and against the bill shall be entered
  on the journal of each house respectively.
• Article XV. SEC 1. The power of impeachment shall
  be vested in the House of Representatives

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State of Texas Constitution of 1876

• Federalism a system of government where power
  is shared among the central (or federal)
  government and the states
• Article I SEC. 1. Texas is a free and independent
  State, subject only to the Constitution of the
  United States and the maintenance of our free
  institutions and the perpetuity of the Union
  depend upon the preservation of the right of
  local self-government unimpaired to all the
  States.

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State of Texas Constitution of 1876

• Separation of Powers the division of basic
  government roles into branches
• Article II. SEC. 1. The powers of the government
  of the State of Texas shall be divided into three
  distinct departments
• Popular Sovereignty a government in which the
  people rule a system in which the residents vote
  to decide an issue
• Article VI. SEC. 3. All qualified electors of the
  State, as herein described, who shall have
  resided for six months immediately preceding an
  election within the limits of any city or
  corporate town, shall have the right to vote for
  mayor and all other elective officers.

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State of Texas Constitution of 1876

• Individual Rights a personal liberty and
  privilege guaranteed to U.S. citizens by the Bill
  of Rights
• Bill of Rights 29 Sections
• SEC. 2. All political power is inherent in the
  people and all free governments are founded on
  their authority, and instituted for their
  benefit. The faith of the people of Texas stands
  pledged to the preservation of a republican form
  of government, and, subject to this limitation
  only, they have at all times the inalienable
  right to alter, reform or abolish their
  government in such manner as they may think
  expedient.

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Texas Constitution of 1876andU.S. Constitution

• Similarities and differences
• Based on the principles of governments
• Can you name them (7)
• Three branches of government
• Can you name them
• Bill of Rights that list rights given to all
  citizens

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Structure and Functions of Government

• Municipal level
• Structure city limits, Mayor-Council-City
  Manager government
• Function provide government services, police
  and fire protection, emergency medical services
  (ambulances), sewers and water lines, inspection
  of health and sanitation rules, and zoning rules
  that govern what kinds of buildings may be placed
  in certain parts of the city.

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Structure and Functions of Government

• County (254 Counties)
• Structure precincts each precinct has a county
  commissioner, headed by a county judge.
• Function Help the state collect taxes, oversee
  and administer law enforcement, and provide
  services to the rural population

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Structure and Functions of Government

• State
• Structure Representative and Senate districts
• Executive Branch Governor
• Legislative Branch Representatives and Senators
• Judicial Branch Judges
• Function maintain highways and state law
  enforcement, interpret and enforce laws, a prison
  system, and a National Guard, supports public
  schools, colleges, universities, and public health

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Sources of Revenue for State and Local Government

• State and local government are funded by taxes
• Property tax property is taxed and funds
  education
• Sales tax largest source of tax revenue
• State and local governments receive federal funds
  for projects
• Federal funds second largest source of tax
  revenue state and local governments collect
  fees
• Licenses and permits, utilities, etc.
• Interest on investments, state lottery, and money
  earned from public lands

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Structure, Funding, and Governance of Texas
Public Education

• Approximately 1,050 school districts
• Structure divided into independent school
  districts
• Governance the local Board of Trustees (School
  Board) is elected by residents in the school
  district. They hire a Superintendent,
  administrators, and teachers. They make financial
  and educational decisions for the district.
• State Board of Education is elected to provide
  standards and policies as well as approving
  materials.
• Texas Education Agency oversees the
  implementation of State Board of Education
  policies and other regulatory functions and local
  school districts
• Funded by property tax bond issues, as well as by
  state and federal funding supported by state and
  federal taxpayers

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Rights of Texas Citizens

• Rights defined in the Texas Constitution and
  Texas Bill of Rights (many of these rights are
  also in the U.S. Bill of Rights)
• Article One of the Texas Constitution (Texas Bill
  of Rights)
• Freedom of worship
• Freedom of speech and press
• Freedom of assembly
• Protection from unreasonable searches and
  seizures
• Equality under the law
• Fair trial and rights of the accused in criminal
  prosecutions
• Rights of crime victims
• There are thirty three listed in the Texas
  Constitution