1. Comparison of United States and Texas Constitutions

2. DIFFERENCES U.S. Constitution VS. Texas Constitution
U.S. Constitution has not been rewritten
has strong separation of powers & strong executive (Legislative, Executive, Judicial)
U.S Constitution is short - 7,400 words, with only 27 Amendments
state constitutions have been rewritten several times
have weak separation of powers because of a division of executive (governor’s) power among several other elected officials.
TX. Constitution is very wordy - 80,000 words long, over 400 Amendments
DIFFERENCES

3. DIFFERENCES U.S. Constitution VS. Texas Constitution
May change through two methods:
1. Constitutional amendment
2. Judicial interpretation through the Supreme Court
Highest law of the land
May change through one method:
Constitutional amendment
May not make laws that go against the U.S. Constitution
DIFFERENCES

4. SIMILARITIES U.S. Constitution VS. Texas Constitution
Bicameral Legislative branch (two house congress)
Vote for/elect representatives
Limit the power of government
Three branches of government
Legislative branch makes the laws
Judicial branch interprets the law
Executive branch enforces the law
Both have a Bill of Rights
Individual rights (our freedoms) protected in a Bill of Rights
At one time, slavery was legal under both constitutions