The 7 Principles of Government

McCulloch v. Maryland – Maryland tried to tax a branch of the national bank in its state; expressed federal power over the states Federalism Sharing of power between the national government and the state and local government Local State National

Great Compromise – compromise of large and small states on representation in Congress during Constitutional Convention; compromise of New Jersey Plan and Virginia Plan; in House of Representatives, representation was based on population; in Senate, representation was based on equality (2 per state); created a bicameral legislature Republicanism People elect representatives to run the government

Legislative Branch makes the laws Executive Branch enforces the laws Judicial Branch interprets the laws Separation of powers Division of power in the government into three branches

Legislative Branch passes a bill Executive branch can either sign the bill into law or veto the bill Legislative branch may override a veto Supreme Court may rule a law unconstitutional Checks and Balances System that allows one branch of the governments to limit the power of the others

The power of the government is restricted by law; everyone must follow the same rules Marbury v. Madison – case of midnight judges appointed by Adams; established the principle of judicial review which granted the Supreme Court the right to rule actions as constitutional or not Limited Government

Bleeding Kansas; state violently divided over slavery issue; issue settled by local votes Popular sovereignty Authority in the government is given by the consent of the people

Henry David Thoreau – author and abolitionist who wrote about civil disobedience; Walden Susan B. Anthony – promoted voting rights for women Elizabeth Cady Stanton – promoted voting rights for women; Declaration of Sentiments; Seneca Falls Convention Individual Rights Rights guaranteed to citizens in the Bill of Rights

Texas and Federalism The Federal System What it is, How it works.

What it means Texas is part of a Federal system That means Texas is part of the USA It is no longer a separate entity

State equality Texas is legally equal to the other 50 states It can create state laws that affect everyone within the state only

What the states can do Create laws regarding marriage and property Create School districts and curriculum Set minimum ages for: 1.Drivers licenses 2.Getting married

What the states cannot do Coin or create their own money Create state laws that violate constitutionally protected civil rights Create international Trade/commerce agreements Declare war – (only U.S. Congress can do that)

However, the USA has final legal authority over all of the states. Legal authority is established by the U.S. Constitution and Federal Laws This includes supervisory control over state/local law enforcement.

National Guard States have a national guard It is illegal for the president to “call out the guard” It may only be called out by the state governor This protects citizens from standing federal armies being used as harassment

National Guard However- The guard may be federalized - and temporarily absorbed into the U. S. Army during wartime (such as the current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq). A state governor may refuse…. But that is frowned upon during wartime.

The three branches of Texas State government

Texas State Government Structured much like the federal government. 3 branches of government

Legislative Branch The legislative branch MAKES the laws. The main lawmaking body of this branch is known as the Legislature, or Congress. Congress is bicameral, meaning it is made up of two parts: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Congress comes in session once every two years.

Texas Legislative Branch  4 year terms  31 members  Must be at least 26 years old to run  Chief Official: Lieutenant Governor, referred to as “President of the Senate”  2 year terms  150 members  Must be at least 21 years old to run  Chief Official: Speaker of the House

Legislative powers The Texas Legislature has the power to: Make laws and propose amendments. Maintain state budget Impeach the governor

Making laws Proposed laws called BILLS are introduced in the House or Senate, then after being sent to committee for consensus, a vote is held. If approved, the Bill is sent to the governor for approval…..

To become a LAW If signed by governor, the Bill becomes a LAW. If vetoed- it is not law If the governor vetoes a bill, the Legislature can override the veto with two-thirds (2/3) vote.

Financing The Texas Legislature is responsible for maintaining a balanced state budget. It does this through Taxes Licenses fees

impeachment The Texas Legislature has the sole power of impeachment (removing someone from office.) Only one Texas governor has been impeached- James ”Pa” Ferguson

Executive Branch Carries out the laws Conducts the business of the state

The Governor The Governor is the highest member of the executive branch Also includes the: – Lieutenant Governor – Secretary of State – Attorney General – Comptroller of Public Accounts – Commissioner of the General Land Office – Commissioner of Agriculture Governor Greg Abbott

Executive terms of Service The length of term for the governor of Texas is four years. However, there is no limit to the number of terms one can serve. He or she may not hold any other job while in office.

Executive branch The Governor has the power to Veto laws (this can be overridden in the Legislative Branch with a 2/3 vote.) call special sessions of the legislature for emergency state business. declare martial law in case of a state emergency.

Judicial Branch duties Interprets the laws of the state (decides if they are Constitutional) Specifically they… – Settles disputes between citizens – Hear cases and render verdicts – Sees that Texas laws and trials are fair – Oversees law enforcement

Judicial branch consists of Texas Supreme Court Court of Criminal Appeals District Courts County Courts Justice of the Peace Courts

Texas Supreme Court The name of the highest court in Texas to hear civil or juvenile cases is the Supreme Court Nine justices (8 members and 1 chief) sit on the Texas Supreme Court.

Court of Appeals The Court of Appeals is the highest court in Texas to hear criminal cases. Determines whether trials held in trial courts were fair.

Judicial Term of Office The length of the term of office for the judges of the higher level state courts is six years.