Texas Government Chapter 2

How is the goal of Texas' Bill of Rights different from the US Bill of Rights? What is the separation of powers?

It was to limit the way political power is used and to prevent it from being abused.

Why are the turnouts usually so low in constitutional elections? What percentage of voters bothered to vote in the 2019 constitutional amendment elections?

1) Elections are held in off years with less money being sunk into advertising.2) Many amendments are relatively insignificant to voters. 12 percent

What is the plural executive? And how is it different from the US executive branch?

3 distinct branches: legislative, executive and judicial

Under the Constitution of Coahuila y Tejas where was the capital of our state? Where was the Texas Declaration of Independence written?

CyT- Saltillo, Mexico March 2nd, 1836 at Washington on the Brazos

Was it easy or difficult to amend the 1945 constitution?

Difficult

What is a constitution? What important functions do state constitutions perform?

Federalism- the legal structure of a government which establishes its power and authority as well as limits its power State -(1) They justify and make legitimate state political institutions by clearly explaining the source of their power and authority. (2) State constitutions also delegate power, explaining which political powers are granted to particular institutions and individuals and how those powers are to be used. (3) They are responsible for the establishment of local governments, including counties, municipalities, and special-purpose districts. (4) They prevent the concentration of political power by providing mechanisms that check and balance the powers of one political institution or individual officeholder against another. (5) They define the limits of political power. Through declarations of rights, state constitutions explicitly forbid the intrusion of certain kinds of governmental activities into the lives of individuals.

Be able to describe the steps necessary to amend the Texas Constitution.

First, it must be proposed by the legislature meeting in either regular or special session. Second, it must be approved by a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to each house. Third, a brief statement explaining it must be published twice in each recognized newspaper in the state that meets the publication requirements for official state notices. Finally, it must be approved by a majority of the state's voters in a statewide election.

Why did we need to abolish the county Office of the Inspector of Hides and Animals?

It had been abolished with the passage of a new Agricultural Code in statutory law, but the constitution needed to be brought up to date.

What is the concept of limited government? What was the goal of the US Constitution? What was the goal of the current Texas Constitution?

LG- a government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution. USC-It was written to overcome the liabilities of the Articles of Confederation and create a gov't that could act effectively in the public welfare in a variety of policy areas. TC-It was written to prevent the expansion of governmental authority and the return of a system of political power that was perceived as acting against the interest of the people.

When did Texas become a state in the US? What issue kept Texas from being annexed sooner? What were the interesting provisions in Texas' 1845 annexation resolution?

March 1, 1845 Missouri Compromise- they didn't want to add another slave state to the union They ceded to the US all military bases a facilities pertaining to public defense. Texas kept all vacant land and Texas debt. Texas was able to split into 5 states when the population increased.

How did the Sharpstown scandal affect the public's mood about the Texas legislature?

Texans want to "throw the rascals out!" Texas sized "Watergate." It stopped second constitution rewriting; Texans lost faith in politicians

Why was a new constitution necessary in 1861? What types of people dominated the secession convention?

Texas had joined the confederacy and this spread talk of secession Lawyers and slaveowners dominated, 40% and 70% respectively

Who made up the Grange and what effect did they have on the writing of Texas' current constitution? Is our current constitution short and flexible or long and detailed?

The Grange was a militant farmers' movement of the late 19th century that fought for improved conditions for farmers. They made sure that small farmers' interest were considered. Our current const. is very long and detailed

How does the Supremacy Clause spell out which level of government is supreme in federal questions?

The constitution and all laws passed by the national government and all treaties are supreme law of the land and superior to all laws adopted by any state or any subdivision.

Roughly how many times has the current Texas constitution been amended?

as of 2019 it has been amended 507 times.

Why was the turnout in 2005 higher than 2003? Which proposed 2005 Amendment was probably behind the surge? Was that 2005 amendment passed by a slim or large margin?

The reason was Proposition 2, which defined marriage in Texas as the union of one man and one woman Amendment to allow same sex marriages A strong favorable vote

How did the civil war answer some questions about the nature of our federal system?

The war decided if we were a unitary government or a confederation with the passing of the 14th amendment

Why did Texas need a new constitution in 1836? Was this 1836 Constitution long and detailed or brief and flexible?

They had declared independence from Mexico Flexible and brief, fewer than 6,500 words

Why was the 1869 Constitution needed? What political party dominated the convention?

To meet the requirements of the Congressional Reconstruction Acts of 1867. Radical republicans

What is federalism?

the division of government into a central government and a group of regional governments

How did the necessary and proper clause change the balance of power in our federal structure?

it gave Congress the authority to make laws "necessary and proper" to carry out its powers. this enabled the overrule and expansion of the central government's powers