Inquizitive Ch 2 - Texas Govt

The --- has largely been applied to place restrictions on states through the equal protection clause of the ---.

bill of rights fourteenth amendment

How do both the U.S. and Texas constitutions seek to prevent tyranny?

checks and balances separation of powers natural self-interests

Which of the following concepts in the Texas Constitution of 1836 were adapted from Spanish-Mexican law?

community property homestead protections government retention of mineral rights

Which statement(s) regarding the number of amendments to the Texas Constitution over time is/are correct?

attempts to amend the constitution since 2000 have largely been successful

Which constitutional provisions were included in the Constitution of 1866 to bring it into compliance with Presidential Reconstruction?

granting freedmen rights of property repudiating the state's war debt allowing freedmen to enter into contracts

Which of the following characteristics have been central in all of Texas's constitutions since Texas joined the United States?

individual rights division of power strong popular control federalism

Which of the following statements about similarities between the Texas Constitution and the U.S. Constitution are true?

Both protect the rights of individual citizens. Both establish the people as the foundational source of government power. Both provide the power for branches to limit the actions of one another. Both give the distinct branches of government autonomous powers.

The 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision on Obergefell v. Hodges ruled that marriage was a liberty guaranteed to all Americans, including same-sex couples. Texas has sought to limit the impact of the ruling by

Creating policy with language that allows private organizations to refuse service based on religious beliefs

Which aspects of the Mexican Constitution differ from those of the US Constitution?

the selection of the president, a protection of religious freedom

A general diffusion of knowledge being essential to the preservation of the liberties and rights of the people, it shall be the duty of the Legislature of the State to establish and make suitable provision for the support and maintenance of an efficient system of public free schools.

Click on: A general diffusion of knowledge

Match the constitutional provisions with either the Texas Constitution of 1845, the Texas Constitution of 1861, or both.

Constitution of 1845 Correct label:provided for possible emancipation of slaves Constitution of 1861 Correct label:declared allegiance to the Confederacy both Correct label:specified a bicameral state legislature Correct label:upheld the ban on the slave trade

The U.S. Constitution specifies how powers are granted to particular institutions within the states. True or False?

False

What effect did the creation of decentralized boards and districts outside the authority of the governor have on the Texas government?

It created a system more susceptible to special interests. It made it more difficult to revise and reform policies affecting government power.

How does the plural executive, as specified in Article 4 of the Texas Constitution, influence Texas government?

It ensures that each member of the plural executive has an independent base of power. It protects against concentration of power. It diffuses the functions of the executive among multiple offices.

How do the Texas and US constitutions approach the issues of impeachment?

It is easier to impeach an individual in Texas than in the national government

What were some of the primary complaints by Texans about the Mexican government prior to declaring independence from Mexico?

Mexican policies limited immigration from the United States to Texas. Texans felt they weren't given enough representation. Education was often offered only in the Spanish language.

Why did Texas declare independence from Mexico in 1836?

Mexico restricted Texans' civil liberties. The influx of American immigrants undermined Mexican control.

Since 1983, Texans have voted to amend the state's constitution dozens of times. Turnout in these elections is always low, even when well-publicized amendments are on the ballot. For example, in 2005, 17 percent of registered voters voted on Proposition 2, which banned same-sex marriage in the state. The graphic shows that while turnout in presidential elections since 1992 has hovered between 50 and 70 percent, turnout in constitutional amendment elections is rarely above 20 percent (and most often, less than 10 percent).Which of the following statements are reasonable conclusions to draw based on the data?

Presidential elections attract more interest than constitutional amendment elections. Constitutional amendments in the 2005 election had more publicity than had amendments in the 2001 election. Amendments dealing with social issues drive greater voter participation.

Watch the animation then answer: What are some of the relationships between long constitutions and numerous constitutional amendments?

States with fewer amendments likely have a less restrictive constitution. Longer constitutions imply that the framers specifically spelled out lawmakers' powers, so that future lawmakers could not use ambiguity in the text to expand state power.

Drag the following provisions of the Texas Constitution of 1876, the U.S. Constitution, or both to their proper place on the Venn diagram.

Texas Constitution of 1876 -complex, specific, and long document - free and equitable public schools - victims rights Both -popular sovereignty -bicameral legislature U.S. Constitution -short document with flexible language -single executive -supreme law

For the Texas government to establish a personal income tax, what conditions would need to be met?

approval by registered voters passage of bill by legislature, and approval by governor revenue must be dedicated to education and tax relief

Before voters participate in a constitutional amendment election, what step must happen first?

The legislature votes to put the amendment on the ballot

Why is voter participation in Texas constitutional amendment elections so low?

There are no candidates on the ballot. Many amendments are insignificant to voters. The elections are held on off years from major general elections.

Which of the following characterized the "Radical Republicans" of the post-Civil War era?

They pushed the adoption of African American suffrage and extended the military occupation of the South. They sought to exclude former secessionists from being able to vote or hold elected office.

Identify which of the following characteristics are unique to the Texas Bill of Rights, and which apply to both the U.S. and Texas Bills of Rights?

Unique to the Texas Bill of Rights: Bill of Rights appears as Article I of the Constitution specifies the right to a republican government specifies provisions of public policy Applies to both the U.S. and Texas Bills of Rights: liberty of speech and press guarantees freedom of religious worship

Which of the following is the correct definition of the term unicameral?

a legislature that has only one body

Relative to the U.S. Constitution, the Texas Constitution is ________ and adopts a tone of _________ governance.

longer limited

Match the structural feature of Texas government with the major themes of the Constitution of 1876.

promote agrarian interests Correct label:strong controls over banks and railroads popular control of state government Correct label:election of judges and nearly all statewide officials limited power of government Correct label:biennial legislative sessions economy in government Correct label:spending cap set by projection of comptroller

By establishing an elected chief executive, rather than one appointed by the legislature, the 1836 Constitution upheld the idea of which of the following?

separation of powers checks and balances

What important functions are performed by state constitutions?

specify the limits and uses of power by state institutions and individuals divide authority within the political institutions of the state clarify the source of a state's political power

Which of these have served as sources of frustration for states in their relationship with the federal government?

supremacy clause necessary and proper clause Fourteenth Amendment

While the large majority of proposed amendments are approved by voters, the ones that generally fail mostly deal with which issue?

taxation and government authority

Local governments, such as the City of Houston, derive their authority from which sources?

the citizens of Texas the Texas Constitution

Which factors gave the Tea Party high rates of success in influencing the outcomes of recent amendment elections in Texas?

unity behind an issue low voter turnout