GOVT 2306 Ch. 2

national supremacy clause

"This Constitution, and the Laws of the US which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the US, shall be the supreme Law of the Land."

block grant

Congressional grant of money that allows the state considerable flexibility in spending for a program, such as providing welfare services

federal grants-in-aid

Money appropriated by the US Congress to help states and local governments provide needed facilities and services

full faith and credit clause

Most government actions of another state must be officially recognized by public officials in Texas

constitutional revision

Extensive or complete rewriting of a constitution

privileges and immunities

"citizens of each state shall be entitled to the privileges and immunities of citizens of the several states." According to the US SC, this means that citizens are guaranteed protection by government, enjoyment of life and liberty, the right to acquire and possess property, the right to leave and enter any state, and the right to use state courts

Constitutional revision convention

A body of delegates who meet to make extensive changes in a constitution or to draft a new constitution

initiative

A citizen-drafted measure proposed by a specific number or percentage of qualified voters, which becomes law if approved by popular vote. In Texas, this process occurs only at the local level, not at the state level.

Texas Equal Legal Rights Amendment (ELRA)

Article I, Section 3 "equality under the law shall not be denied or abridged because of sex, race, color, creed, or national origin."

constitutional amendment process

Article XVII, Secton i, of the Texas Constitution stipulates that an amendment must be proposed by a two-thirds vote of members in each chamber of the legislature and approved by a simple majority of voters in the general election or special election

Bill of Rights

Composed of 30 sections in Article I of the Texas Constitution, it guarantees protections for people and their property against arbitrary actions by state and local governments. Included among these rights are freedom of speech, pres, religion, assembly, and petition. The Texas Bill of Rights is similar to the one found in the US Constitution.

Constitutional guarantess

Included among the US Constitution's guarantees to members of the Union are protection against invasion and domestic uprisings, territorial integrity, a republican form of government, representation by two senators and at least one representative in the US Congress, and equitable participation in the constitutional amendment process

Texas Grange

Known as the Patrons of Husbandry, this farmers' organization was well represented in the constitutional convention that produced the Constitution of 1876

implied powers

Powers inferred by the constitutional authority of the US Congress "to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing (delegated) powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the US, or in any department or officer thereof."

reserved powers

Reserved powers are derived from the 10th amendment of the US Constitution. Although not spelled out in the US Constitution, these reserved powers to the states including police power, taxing power, proprietary power, and power of eminent domain

delegated powers

Specific powers entrusted to the national government by Article I, Section 8, of the US Constitution

constitutional amendment election

Takes place in a regular election in even-numbered years or in a special election. Voters must approve proposed constitutional amendments with a simple majority

Texas Constitution of 1876

Texas' lengthy, much amended constitution is a product of the post-Reconstruction era.

Constitutional History of Texas

Texas's Constitutional history began with promulgation of the Constitution of Coahuila y Tejas within the Mexican federal system in 1827 and the Constitution of the Texas Republic in 1836. Texas has since been governed under its state constitutions of 1845, 1861, 1866, 1869, and 1876

Tenth Amendment

The Tenth Amendment of the US Constitution declares that "the powers not delegated by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States, respectively, or to the people."

local government

The Texas Constitution authorizes these units of local government: counties, municipalities, school districts, and other special districts. These "grassroots governments" provide a range of services that include rural roads, protection of persons and property, city streets, and public education

separation of powers

The assignment of lawmaking, law-enforcing, and law-interpreting functions to separate branches of government

suffrage

right to vote