Texas state and local government

Texas is governed by a constitution written in 1876 as a reaction to Reconstruction. Our legislature is similar to the U.S. Congress in that: each is bicameral members are elected directly members serve the same function members’ terms are the same for each House of Representatives most work is done in committees

The Tx. legislature is different from Congress in… size pay – Texans are paid far less Texas’ senators terms are shorter than U.S. senators Texas legislature meets only every other year (approx. 140 days)

Texas House of Representatives 150 members (our district is #15: Ruben Hope) term: 2 yrs. (no limits) salary: $7,200/yr. + $124. per diem while leg. in session, $10,750/mo. for offices qualifications: –age: 21 yrs. –resident of state for 2 yrs., district for 1 –U.S. citizen

Texas Senate 31 members - our district is #3: Todd Staples term: 4 yrs. (no limits) salary: $7,200/yr. + $124. per diem while leg. in session + $25,000/ mo. for offices qualifications: –26 yrs. –resident of state for 5 yrs./district for 1 –U.S. citizen

Our representatives: State representative Brandon Creighton State senator Robert Nichols

Texas governor – Rick Perry term: 4 yrs. (no limit) qualifications: –30 yrs. –state resident for 5 yrs. –U.S. citizen

Salary and “perks” of the office salary: $115,345/yr. home – Governor’s mansion limousine aircraft All but two have been men: –Miriam A. (“Ma”) Ferguson ( and ) –Ann Richards ( )

Lieutenant Governor: David Dewhurst serves as president of the state Senate qualifications: –same as for governor

Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives: Tom Craddick qualifications same as members of the House native of Midland elected from within House serves a district just as the other 149 members

Texas court system Texas has two highest appellate courts –Supreme Court (9 Justices), hears only civil cases –elected to staggered 6 yr. terms

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Texas’ highest court for criminal cases consists of a Presiding Judge and 8 Judges (9 total) elected to 6-yr. terms

Intermediate appellate courts 14 Courts of Appeals 80 justices total, all elected appeals usually heard by 3 justices hear both civil and criminal appeals

State trial courts – district courts hear all felony criminal cases divorce cases land title cases cases involving at least $200 in densely populated counties, may specialize in civil, criminal, and family law matters District courts located in Montgomery County: 9 th – Fred Edwards 221 st – Suzanne Stovall 284 th – Olen Underwood 359 th – Kathleen Hamilton 410 th – Michael Mayes

County and local trial courts of limited jurisdiction – all trial courts County courts – 1 in each county (civil & criminal jurisdiction)- class A and B misdemeanor cases County courts at law – located in more populated counties municipal courts – limited criminal jurisdiction (fine only) Justice of the Peace courts – limited civil and criminal jurisdiction (class C misdemeanors) Small claims courts – limited civil and criminal jurisdiction

Montgomery County

County courts in Montgomery County County Court at Law 1 – Dennis Watson County Court at Law 2 – Jerry Winfree County Court at Law 3 – Mason Martin County Court at Law 4 – Mary Ann Turner Conroe’s Municipal Ct.- James Cates: handles mostly traffic-related offenses, but also school-related offenses + Conroe city ordinance offenses

Montgomery County’s Justices of the Peace (5) Pct. 1: Lanny Moriarty Pct. 2: Trey Spikes Pct. 3: Edie Connelly Pct. 4: James Metts Pct. 5: Carolyn Cox handle cases like… –alcohol-related offenses –truancy –curfew violations –bad checks –civil cases involving $5,000 or less –eviction cases

County governing body: Commissioners Court Counties are divided into 4 precincts, each of which elects a commissioner to the court The Commissioners Court is not a law- interpreting body, rather a law-making body Montgomery County’s county judge is Alan (Barb) Sadler (elected by the whole county); commissioners are: –Pct. 1 – Mike Meador –Pct. 2 – Craig Doyal –Pct. 3 – Ed Chance –Pct. 4 – Ed Rinehart

Most counties elect 5 other county officers: 1.sheriff: Tommy Gage 2.county clerk – Mark Turnbull registers & records documents, birth/death certificates, marriage licenses 3. tax assessor/collector – J. R. Moore appraises property and collects taxes 4. treasurer – Martha Gustavsen keeps county funds and makes authorized payments 5. county attorney – David Walker carries out criminal investigations, prosecutes

City of Conroe government Mayor: Tommy Metcalf – elected at large, 4 yr. term, limited to 2 terms, only votes in case of a tie, … and 5 council members: Place 1: Pat George (term expires 5/2008) Place 2: Webb Melder, (5/2008) Place 3: Jim Gentry (5/2010) Place 4: Jerry Streater (5/2010) Place 5: Jay Ross Martin (5/2010)

City Council hires and oversees a management staff consisting of… 1.city administrator: Jerry McGuire 2.city attorney: Marc Winberry 3.city secretary: Marla Porter plus… directors of 8 departments that make up the city workforce community development capital projects finance public works parks & recreation human resources police fire director of downtown