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Texas

Texas. Lone Star State. Six Flags?. Spain France Mexico Republic of Texas - 1836 State of Texas - 1845 Confederacy State again - March 30, 1870. Texas - 1876 Long, concise Statutory or detailed wording Over 400+ amendments BR = 1 st article. US - 1787 Short, vague

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Texas

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  1. Texas Lone Star State

  2. Six Flags? • Spain • France • Mexico • Republic of Texas - 1836 • State of Texas - 1845 • Confederacy • State again - March 30, 1870

  3. Texas - 1876 Long, concise Statutory or detailed wording Over 400+ amendments BR = 1st article US - 1787 Short, vague Liberal or broad wording Only 27 amendments BR – added after ratification Constitution

  4. Elections • Geographic size of state makes $$$ important • Closed as to ballot, but open to any registered voter • Elect judges, members of boards, Lt Gov’r and other cabinet members • More party control than at nat’l level • EC vote = 38 now

  5. Local Government • Dillon’s Rule • City does NOT have inherent sovereignty to rule its jurisdiction • City receives its authority from the state legislature in the form of its charter • TX Municipal League = lobbying arm of city govts’ interest group

  6. Local Govt. cont— • County level • Legislative body = commissioner’s court • Executive body = county judge • Judicial = JP, county ct at law, district court • City level • Legislative body = city council • Executive body = mayor • Judicial = municipal court

  7. Annexation & ETJs • City’s may annex surrounding unincorporated areas into their geographic territory or city limits • 3 year formal process (key = inventory and maintenance of present services) • ETJ = extraterritorial jurisdiction; authority of city over area next to its city limits • Limited control – mainly regulatory, also taxes prior to eventual annex.

  8. Special districts • Areas with specific functions which govern autonomously regardless of county/city govts • May overlap geographic areas but supersede jurisdictional authority • ex.: school (#1), water and MUDs, hospital, 9-1-1

  9. Texas Executive • Plural executive – as governor does not select his Lt Govr nor most of his cabinet • Can call 30-day special session for Tx legislature and limits agenda to his topic • Has line item veto but no Pocket veto power • No pardon power as subject to recommendation of Board of Pardons and Parole

  10. Texas Legislature • Meets for 140 days biennially or every other year • Speaker of House and Lt Governor – most powerful • Terms= 2 yrs for House, 4 for Senate • Members • House: 150 members, 21 yrs old, registered voter, Tx resident for 2 yrs, resident of district • Senate: 31 members, 26 yrs old, registered voter, Tx resdient for 5 yrs and district resident for 1 yrs

  11. Texas Judicial • Elected in partisan elections • Serves only 4 or 6 years depending on court • Has 2 supreme cts • Texas Supreme Ct = civil cases • Tx. Ct of Criminal Appeals = criminal cases • “ct of last resort” = US Supreme Ct • Automatic appeal for death penalty/capital murder cases

  12. Voters • 18+, on or before election day • Resident of county • US citizen • Not currently under felony sentence • Of sound mind • Register to vote 30 days prior to election • Photo ID with you when you vote

  13. Jurors • 18+ • Citizen of state and county • Eligible to vote (not nec registered voter) • Of sound mind and good moral character • Able to read and write • Not convicted of, or currently under indictment for, misdemeanor theft or any felony

  14. Misc • Sunset laws – require a review or evaluation of agency/program prior to its renewal by the legislature • Criminal trials – 2 parts = 1) verdict (guilt/not guilty) and 2) sentencing • Entitled to atty at point taken into custody; Appointed an atty at later arraignment • Grassroots movement – attempting to influence public officials by gaining support county by county through individual efforts, not party leadership

  15. Test • 25 MC [4 pts each] • Bring pencil or pen for this section

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