We The People...We The People...

The Structure and The Structure and Function of Texas Function of Texas

GovernmentGovernment

BackgroundBackground

The Texas The Texas government is government is very strong today, very strong today, even though it has even though it has gone through gone through several changes several changes and constitutions.and constitutions.

Constitution of Constitution of 18361836

Constitution of Constitution of 18451845

Constitution of Constitution of 18761876

The founding The founding fathers of Texas fathers of Texas had wonderful had wonderful insight that insight that helped form a helped form a government ofgovernment of

strengthstrength stabilitystability

andand

These Texans looked to a These Texans looked to a shining example of shining example of democracy as the basis democracy as the basis for our state constitution for our state constitution and government.and government.

The The Constitution Constitution of the of the United United StatesStates

So the So the structurestructure (what our (what our government looks like) and government looks like) and functionfunction (what our government does) is a (what our government does) is a reflection of the United States reflection of the United States government.government.

Part 1: Part 1:

The Structure of The Structure of Texas GovernmentTexas Government

Structure Structure is the is the framework of our framework of our government. government.

The U.S. government The U.S. government is divided into three is divided into three branches of branches of government, each government, each with different duties.with different duties.

The structure of Texas The structure of Texas government is the same. government is the same. Let’s take a look.Let’s take a look.

Three Branches of GovernmentThree Branches of Government

ExecutivExecutivee

LegislativeLegislative JudicialJudicial

The Executive BranchThe Executive Branch

StructureStructurethe governor, lieutenant-governor, the governor, lieutenant-governor,

and attorney-generaland attorney-generalappointeesappointees

FunctionFunctionsee that laws are carried outsee that laws are carried out

The Legislative BranchThe Legislative Branch

StructureStructure““bi-cameral”- made of two houses bi-cameral”- made of two houses

like the U.S. Congresslike the U.S. CongressSenateSenateHouse of RepresentativesHouse of Representatives

FunctionFunctionmake lawsmake laws

The Judicial BranchThe Judicial Branch

StructureStructureTexas Supreme CourtTexas Supreme Courtdistrict courtsdistrict courtscounty and local courtscounty and local courts

FunctionFunctiondecide if laws are fairdecide if laws are fairtry civil and criminal casestry civil and criminal cases

Part 2: Part 2:

Function of Texas Function of Texas GovernmentGovernment

FunctionFunction is how is how the government the government works, or what it works, or what it does for the does for the people.people.

The U.S. The U.S. Constitution is Constitution is based on five based on five principles, or principles, or rules and goals.rules and goals.

Therefore, the Texas Therefore, the Texas Constitution is Constitution is based on the same based on the same five principles.five principles.

1. Popular Sovereignty1. Popular Sovereignty

The principle of The principle of popular sovereignty is popular sovereignty is expressed in the first expressed in the first three words of the three words of the Constitution...Constitution...

How is Popular Sovereignty How is Popular Sovereignty achieved?achieved?

The people vote on The people vote on individuals to represent individuals to represent them in the various them in the various branches of branches of government.government.

The people vote The people vote on proposed laws.on proposed laws.

2. Limited Power of Government2. Limited Power of Government

Limited government means that we Limited government means that we give the government power, but not give the government power, but not too much power.too much power.

The key word in the above statement The key word in the above statement is “we”. The government has only is “we”. The government has only the powers the people have given it.the powers the people have given it.

How do we limit the How do we limit the government’s power?government’s power?

We outline the We outline the government’s power on government’s power on paper in a constitution. paper in a constitution.

Citizens are Citizens are guaranteed guaranteed fundamental rights fundamental rights in the Bill of Rights.in the Bill of Rights.

3. Federalism3. Federalism

Federalism is the sharing of powers Federalism is the sharing of powers between the state and national between the state and national government.government.

Some powers are state powers, Some powers are state powers, some national, some are shared.some national, some are shared.

National State

What are some examples of What are some examples of federalism?federalism?

National Powers

•maintain armed forces

•coin money

•declare war

•establish foreign policy

State Powers

•maintain schools

•marriage and divorce laws

•conduct elections

•regulate trade within the state

Shared powers

•raise taxes

•charter banks

•provide for the public welfare

•administer criminal justice

What are some examples of What are some examples of federalism?federalism?

4. Separation of Powers4. Separation of Powers

Separating powers guards against Separating powers guards against putting too much power in the hands putting too much power in the hands of a few people.of a few people.

We limit power by creating the We limit power by creating the three branches of government, three branches of government, each with separate duties.each with separate duties.

LegislativeLegislative- makes laws- makes laws

ExecutiveExecutive- sees that - sees that laws are carriedlaws are carried outout

JudicialJudicial- decides if laws - decides if laws are fairare fair

5. Checks and Balances5. Checks and BalancesEach branch of government can check, Each branch of government can check, or control, the power of the other two or control, the power of the other two branches.branches.

Feeling powerful. Feeling powerful.

Feeling strong.Feeling strong.

Feeling invincible.Feeling invincible.

government without checks

Checks and BalancesChecks and Balances

Check yourself or Check yourself or talk to the claw.talk to the claw.

Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry.Sorry.

Examples of checks and Examples of checks and balancesbalances

Congress has the power to pass Congress has the power to pass laws, but the president can veto laws, but the president can veto laws.laws.

Congress can check the president’s Congress can check the president’s power by overriding the veto.power by overriding the veto.

Examples of checks and Examples of checks and balancesbalances

Treaties and appointments the Treaties and appointments the presidents makes must be approved presidents makes must be approved by congress.by congress.

The president can be impeached by The president can be impeached by Congress and the trial is heard by Congress and the trial is heard by the Supreme Court.the Supreme Court.