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63 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
Constitution of Coahuila y Tejas (1827)
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- Adopted when texas was part of Mexico
- Unicameral legislature - Elements of Common Law - Texas' first experience with a constitution |
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Constitution of the Republic (1836)
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- Adopted soon after the fall of The Alamo
- Short document modeled after the US Constitution( Bicameral legislature; elected president) - Basically a xerox copy of the US Constitution |
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Constitution of 1845
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- Came to be because we were trying to become a state rather than our own country
- Protected private homesteads from foreclosure - Established a permanent fund for the support of public schools -Arguably our best constitution ever!! |
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Constitution of 1861
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- preceded the civil war
- When Texas seceded from the union in 1861, another constitution was adopted - Greater protection was given to the institution of slavery and prohibiting the freeing of slaves |
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Constitution of 1866
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- Post Civil War
- Complied with moderate reconstruction - Based on the Constitution of 1845 |
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Constitution of 1869
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- Most oppressive constitution in America
- Power was centralized in the state government - Powers granted to the Governor included appointment of other state officials and appointment of the judiciary - First black representative was elected under this government |
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Constitution of 1876
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- Written as a reaction to radical reconstruction
- Re-established traditional political relationships -Aimed to prevent a repetition of the abuses in the Davis administration - Reduced all terms of office to 2 years - Court officials are elected now |
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Texas Senators
(Term Limits and Requirements) |
- 4 year terms
- At least 26 years old - Resident of the district for at least 1 year - State resident for at least 5 years - U.S. Citizen and registered voter |
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Texas Representatives
(Term Limits and Requirements) |
- 2 year terms
- At least 21 years old - Resident of the district for at least 1 year - State resident for at least 2 years - U.S. citizen and registered voter |
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Executive Branch
(Terms and Qualifications) |
- 4 year terms
- governor must be citizen, resident of Texas for 5 years, and at least 35 years old |
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Daniel Elazar's Model of Subcultures
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- Consists of 3 subcultures
- Individualistic - Traditionalistic - Moralistic |
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Individualistic
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- Government provides stable political order in which individuals and groups can pursue their interests
- There is no such thing as the common good, it is about competition--it serves "me", not the common good - Politics and government function as a market - dominates Texas, along with Traditionalism |
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Traditionalistic
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- A group that's in control and wants to stay in control
- Government serves the interests of the elites - Limited interest in expanding participation in the decisions of govt - Political parties and labor unions are viewed with distrust - dominates Texas, along with Individualism |
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Moralistic
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- View that it is a person Responsibility and Duty to participate in government
- Government serves the general interests or the general good of all |
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Ethnic Breakdown in Texas
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Native Americans- less than half of 1%
Asian-Americans- 2.7% African Americans- 11.3% Hispanic- 32% Anglo-American- 52.4% - 73% |
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Ethnicity and Voting Turnout
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By Individual By Group
1. Blacks 1. Whites 2. Whites 2. Hispanics 3. Hispanics 3. Blacks |
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First Degree Felony
(District Court) |
- 5-99 years or Life imprisonment
- Maximum fine of $10,000 Offenses include: Murder, Theft of property valued $200,000 or more |
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Second Degree Felony
(District Court) |
- 2 to 20 years imprisonment
- Maximum fine of $10,000 Offenses include: Aggravated Assault, Theft of property valued between $100,000 - $200,000 |
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Third Degree Felony
(District Court) |
- 2 to 10 years imprisonment
- Maximum fine of $10,000 Offenses include: Theft of property values between $20,000 - $100,000, Unlawfully taking a weapon to school |
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State Jail Felony
(District Court) |
- 180 days to 2 years imprisonment
- Maximum fine of $10,000 Offenses include: Theft of property valued between $15,000 - $20,000; Illegal Recruitment of athletes if value of benefit is between $1,500 - $20,000 |
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Class A Misdemeanor
(Constitutional County Courts & County Courts-at-law) |
- 1 year imprisonment
- Maximum fine of $4,000 Offenses include: Manufacture, sale or possession of a counterfeit handicapped parking tag |
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Class B Misdemeanor
(Constitutional County Courts & County Courts-at-law) |
- 180 days imprisonment
- Maximum fine of $2,000 Offenses include: Theft of property valued between $20 - $500, Engaging in computer assisted hunting (if animal is in Texas) |
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Class C Misdemeanor
(Justice of the Peace Courts and Local/Municipal Courts) |
- No Imprisonment
- Max fine of $500 Offenses include: Theft of property valued less than $20, Advertising, selling or preparing term papers or reports used by others |
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Grand Jury
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- Composed of 12 citizens who may be chosen at random or selected by a judge from a list of 15-20 county residents recommended by a judge appointed Grand Jury Commission
- Serves from 3-6 months - Determines if there is enough evidence present to indict the person accused of committing the crime |
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Petit Jury
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- A trial jury composed of 6 or 12 members
- Responsible for hearing the trial then determining guilt or innocence |
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Local and Municipal Court Judge
(Term Limits and Requirements) |
- Terms are set by city
- Qualification are set by city - Appointed by council or elected; determined by city charter |
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Justice of the Peacee Court Judge
(Term Limits and Requirements) |
- 4 year terms
- No qualifications required - Elected in Partisan precinct-wide election |
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Constitutional County Court Judge
(Term Limits and Requirements) |
- 4 year terms
- Must be "well informed" in Texas laws - No law degree required - Elected in Partisan county-wide elections |
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Statutory County Court Judge
(Term Limits and Requirements) |
- 4 year terms
- At least 25 years old - Licensed attorney with at least 4-5 years experience - 2 years county residence - Elected in Partisan county-wide elections |
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District Court Judge
(Term Limits and Requirements) |
- 4 year terms
- must be between 25-74 years old - Licensed attorney with at least 4 years experience - 2 years county residence - Elcected in Partisan county-wide elections |
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Court of Appeals Judge
(Term Limits and Requirements) |
- 6 year terms
- Must be between 35-74 years old - Licensed attorney with at least 10 years experience - Elected in Partisan district-wide elections |
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Court of Criminal Appeals Judge
(Term Limits and Requirements) |
- 6 year terms
- Must be between 35-74 years old - Licensed attorney with at least 10 years experience - Elected in Partisan statewide elections |
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Supreme Court Justice
(Term Limits and Requirements) |
- 6 year terms
- Must be between 35-74 years old - Licensed attorney with at least 10 years experience - Elected in Partisan statewide |
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Edmund Jacks Davis
(E.J. Davis) |
- Former Union Army General, elected first Republican governor of Texas
- His administration (1870-1874) was one of the most corrupt in Texas history |
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Constitution of 1869
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- the new fundamental law called for annual sessions of the legislature, a 4 year term for the governor and other executive officers and gubernatorial appointments of judges
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3 Ways to Allocate Power
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- Unitary: all power resides in the central government (National Government)
- Federal: a way of organizing a nation so that two or more levels of government have formal authority over the same area and people. Share of power between State and National. - Confederate: the national government is weak and most or all of the power is in the hands of its components (such as states) |
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Application of CSCC
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- Council-Manager form of government
- Mayor Ben White (elected at large) - 6 Council Members (elected at large) |
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Application of BCC
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- Council-Manager form of government
- Mayor Mark Conlee - Mayor Pro Temp Mike Southerland - 5 Council Members (Single Member Districts) |
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Project Grants
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State/local government apply for a grant and compete against each other for limited funds
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Formula Grants
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Based on a prescribed formula such as the poverty level
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Types of Federalism
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Vertical Federalism: is the relationship between the National and the State levels.
Horizontal Federalism: is the relationship between State and State levels |
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Pluralist Theory
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- Pluralist theory contends that many centers of influence compete for power and control over public policy, with no one group or set of groups dominating
- Pluralists view bargaining and compromise as essential ingredients in our democracy - argues that interest group activity brings representation to all as groups compete and counterbalance one another |
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Elitist Theory
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- elite and theory contends that society is divided along class lines and that an upper-class elite rules
- Wealth is seen as the basis of power, and a few powerful Americans are the policymakers - argues that a few interest groups (mostly the wealthy) have most of the power |
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De-Alignment
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A member of a political party abandons his allegiance and claims Independence
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Re-Alignment
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Occurs when a member of a political party shifts to the opposite party
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Interest Groups and Policy Subsystems
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- Iron Triangles are an example of policy subsystems.
- composed of key interest groups interested in a particular policy, the government agency in charge of administering the policy, and the members of congressional committees and subcommittees handling the policy |
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Party Organization
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Precinct Chair- elected in primary; serves 2 years; organize precinct political campaigns and precinct activities
County Executive Committee- Precinct chairs serve collectively;organizes and manages the party primary; certifies election returns; fills vacancies in party positions County Chair- Leads the county executive committee; elected by primary voters; responsible for day to day operations of the party State Executive Committee- 64 members including state and vice state chair; Man and Woman elected from each of the 31 state senatorial districts to serve |
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Precinct Chair
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- 1st in hierarchy
- elected in primary; serves 2 years; organize precinct political campaigns and precinct activities |
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County Executive Committee
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- 2nd in hierarchy
- Precinct chairs serve collectively;organizes and manages the party primary; certifies election returns; fills vacancies in party positions |
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County Chair
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- 3rd in hierarchy
- Leads the county executive committee; elected by primary voters; responsible for day to day operations of the party |
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State Executive Committee
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- 64 members including state and vice state chair; Man and Woman elected from each of the 31 state senatorial districts to serve
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Texas Senate
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- 31 members
- Elected by district - Presiding officer is Lt. Governor who is elected statewide for a 4 year term |
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Texas House of Representatives
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- 150 members
- elected by district - Presiding officer is Speaker of the House who is elected to a two year term in a open vote by the members. |
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Elections in Texas
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- Primaries occur on the FIRST TUESDAY of march
- General Elections take place on the FIRST TUESDAY following the FIRST MONDAY in November of EVEN numbered years - Special Elections are state gubernatorial elections that take place in NOVEMBER of EVEN years in between presidential elections |
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Plural Executive Offices
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These are the FOUR offices that the Governor and Lt. Governor share power with
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Lieutenant Governor
(Dewhurst) |
- Popularly Elected
- Serves as President of the Senate |
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Attorney General
(Abbott) |
- represents the state government in lawsuits and provides legal advice to state and local officials
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Land Commissioner
(Patterson) |
- Responsible for collecting taxes, keeping accounts, estimating revenue and serving as a treasurer for the state.
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Comptroller of Public Accounts
(Combs) |
- Oversees the state's extensive land holdings and related mineral interests, especially oil and gas leasing, for the benefit of the Permanent School Fund
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Agriculture Commissioner
(Staples) |
- Heads Texas' Dept. of Agriculture, which promotes the sale of agricultural commodities and regulates pesticides, aquaculture, Esq. quality, weights and measures and grain warehouses
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Substantive Committees
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- Appointed by the House speaker
- Considers bills and resolutions related to the subject identified by its name and may recommend passage of proposed legislation to the appropriate committee |
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Procedural Committee
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- These house committees consider bills and resolutions relating primarily to internal legislative matters
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Select Committee
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- Created independently by the speaker
- a select committee may work on emergency legislation early in a session before substantive committees are appointed |