American Government Declaration of Independence A

American Government • Declaration of Independence – A document that is used to separate a country from another country. EXAMPLE: Texas from Mexico, the U. S. A. from the U. K. • Constitution – A document that lists and divides the powers of Government. EXAMPLE: Texas Constitution of 1876, US Constitution • Bill of Rights – An addition to the Constitution that list the rights of the people. EXAMPLE: First 10 Amendments to the US Constitution

The Constitution • Sets forth responsibilities of the government • Places limits on the governments powers • Explains what a government can do and cannot do. • It divides the government into three branches (or parts) • The U. S. Constitution was written in 1787.

Three Branches of Texas Government • Legislative: makes the laws • Executive: enforces the laws • Judicial: interprets the laws and runs the courts

Why Three Branches? ? ? Separation of powers: Each Branch of Government has separate and independent powers and areas of responsibility. so the Power of Government is divided!!!

• Checks and Balances: Each branch of government checks the others so not one branch becomes too powerful.

• The Legislature (or Congress) makes the laws and sets the state budget. The Legislative Branch of • The legislative branch is divided Texas into two houses: • The Senate and the House of Representatives • This is called a Bicameral Legislature. – Texas Senate: 31 members – Texas House of Representatives: 150 members

– The Legislature meets in Austin for 140 days every other year. – Congressmen and Senators have no term limit. (They can run for re-election as many times as they want) – The Senate has 4 year terms – The House has 2 year terms – Any amendments (changes) to the Constitution must be approved by a 2/3 rds vote in both houses

• There are 31 Senatorial districts and 150 house districts. The voters in each district elect their own senators and representatives. • Everyone’s vote counts the same no matter the size of the district. Voting Districts Senate House

• The Speaker is the leader of the House of Representatives is elected by the other representatives. • He is from the party (Democrats or Republicans) that have the most people in the House. • The Senate is overseen by the Lieutenant Governor of Texas Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn was one of the most effective House Speakers

The Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Joe Straus

Differences with the U. S. Legislature • The legislatures are the same except the state level makes laws for only the state and the national makes laws that cover every state and in number of representatives. • In the U. S. Senate the Vice President is in charge. • US Senators are elected to 6 year terms with no limits • Every state gets only TWO senators while the number of members of the House of Representatives is based on population

U. S. Legislators that represent GMS U. S. House of Representatives District # 24 Kenny Marchant U. S. Senators from Texas Ted Cruz John Cornyn

• The Legislative Branch sets the Texas Budget for 2 years and the budget must always be balanced. • The US Budget is set for one year and does not necessarily have to be balanced. A balanced budget means the Government doesn’t spend more money that it brings in.

How is this bicycle like the Legislative Branch?

The Executive and Judicial Branches

John Connolly was shot Sam Houston was during the Kennedy President, Senator, Assassination in 1963. and Governor of Texas • The governor is the chief executive of the The state. He has the power to call together a special session of Congress, veto bills, and Executive send messages to the legislature. He also Branch of appoints people to executive agencies. Texas • The Governor is elected to a 4 year term of office and there is no term limit. Examples of Governors: Ann Richards was known throughout the country for her quick wit and hard work. George W. Bush was the first Texas Governor to become President

The Governor of Texas Greg Abbot

• Although part of the The Executive Branch, the LT. Lieutenant Governor is the head of the Texas Senate. • He enforces the rules and procedures of the Senate. • The Lieutenant Governor is actually considered the most powerful position in The late Bob Bullock was the state because he known for working well with oversees the Texas both political parties as well as being a great lover of Senate Texas History.

Lieutenant Governor of Texas Dan Patrick

The Executive Branch is also in charge of Government agencies. The agencies carry out the laws of the State Executive Agencies • 1. Boards and commissions appointed by the Governor. Example: Colleges and prisons And the Governors Cabinet: • 2. Members of the cabinet appointed by the Governor. Example: The Secretary of State • 3. Members of the cabinet who are elected by the people. Example: The Attorney general (the top lawyer for the state) Cabinet: Are a group of officials who work for and advise the Governor and control executive agencies.

Differences with the U. S. Executive • In Texas the head of the Executive branch is the Governor, • In the U. S. the head of the Executive branch is the President. • The President has a 2 term limit. • The Vice President has little power compared to the L. T. Governor

The Judicial Branch • The court system falls under the judicial branch which interprets the law. • The Supreme Court is the highest court in Texas • Texas has two “Supreme Courts”

TEXAS SUPREME COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS • Deals with Civil Law • Civil Law: Laws dealing with disputes between citizens (when someone sues someone else) as well as Juvenile Cases. • Deals with Criminal Law • Criminal Law: Laws dealing with criminal acts and their punishments

TEXAS SUPREME COURT TEXAS COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS • The 9 Justices (judges) of each Supreme Court are elected to 6 year terms with no term limit.

Court of Appeals Below the Supreme • Involves cases heard at the county or district the Courts you have court but have not been Court resolved. of Appeals • There are 14 of these courts in Texas County Courts • Then the County Courts Hear appeals from lower courts and handle major misdemeanor and civil cases. • Also hear cases involving wills. District Court • Try mostthe Districtand Next is felony cases some major misdemeanors. Courts • Hear divorce cases, election appeals, and appeals involving wills. Municipal Court and Justice of the Peace Finally the city or Courts as well municipal courts • as the Justices courts Lowest level of of the • Deal with minor cases Peace and minor misdemeanor criminal cases

Differences with the U. S. Judicial Branch • The United States Supreme Court is the final authority on the interpreting the Constitution for the entire country. Texas Supreme courts can appeal to the U. S. Supreme Court The Supreme Court Judges are appointed by the President and approved by the Congress. They have their position for life.