1. USA and Texas

2. United States of America
Federal Republic a form of government made up of a federal state with a constitution and self-governing subunits
United States of America
If the USA is a federal republic then what is its’ federal state?
What are the self-governing subunits in the USA?

3. United States and Texas
Both have a government and a constitution.
In the US Constitution the federal government gives powers to the individual states, including Texas.
The US constitution is the supreme law of the land
Constitution, Constitution Rap

4. Bell Ringer 1. What two governments are within the United States?
2. Which constitution is the law of the entire land?
3. Give me an example of a state right that the central government does not control.
4. What is another word for the federal government in the USA?

5. United States
Texas
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
State Legislature
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
Congress
JUDICIAL BRANCH
Courts
JUDICIAL BRANCH
Courts
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
Governor
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
President
The U.S. Constitution says that our FEDERAL government will have Three Branches
(Have had only one Constitution)
The TEXAS Constitution says that our STATE government will also have Three Branches
(Have had 7 Constitutions)

6. COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
President – Vice President – Other offices
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
Governor – Lt. Governor – Other offices
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
Congress
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
TX Legislature
SENATE
U.S. Senators
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
U.S. Representatives
SENATE
State Senators
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
State Representatives
JUDICIAL BRANCH
Courts
JUDICIAL BRANCH
Courts
SUPREME COURT
Justices
TEXAS SUPREME COURT
COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
CIVIL CASES
Appointed by the president for life
CRIMINAL CASES
Justices are elected for a term of six years

7. Texas 7 Constitutions Texas had 7 constitutions
What are their dates and give me one sentence about each?
-1824: This constitution was under the rule of Mexico and the state of Texas was Coahuila y Tejas.
(1827 is not the next one) hint for the 2nd one: it’s when Texas was no longer part of Mexico. Pg

8. Commissioner of the General Land Office
Executive Branch
EXECUTES the laws
(sees that the laws are carried out)
Commissioner of Agriculture
Lieutenant Governor
Duties:
Duties:
When the governor is out of state
he takes over (acts as chief
executive)
Carries out duties requested by the
governor
Serves as president of the TX
Senate
Enforces agricultural laws
Provides educational and research
services to farmers, ranchers, and
consumers
Promotes Texas products
Protects the environment
Who is the current Chief Executive of Texas?
Greg Abbott
Governor
Legislative Powers:
Signs or vetoes bills
Calls special sessions of the legislature
Office
Office
Attorney General
Executive Powers:
Makes appointments to boards and commissions
Comptroller of Public Accounts
Duties:
Removes officials when necessary
Acts as the state’s
lawyer
Represents TX or TX
agency in court
Advises the legislature
Explains regulations to
agencies and local
governments
Duties:
Qualifications:
Must be a U.S.citizen
Serves as chief tax
collector
Makes expenditures
according to state
regulations
Provides budget
estimates to legislature
Must be a resident of TX for at least 5 years before election
Elected to 4-year terms
Must be at least 30 years old
Office
No term limits
Commissioner of the General Land Office
Manages the land and mineral rights owned by Texas

9. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Texas Legislature
Makes (creates)
the laws of the state
The Texas State Legislature is BICAMERAL… meaning it is divided into two HOUSES: the SENATE and the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
SENATE
DUTIES:
1. Make the laws that govern TX
2. Discusses how the state money should be spent
3. Approved or reject governor’s appointments
4. Power of oversight over the Executive Branch
5. Listen to citizen concerns
6.Decide what to do about prison overcrowding, taxes, education, etc.
MEMBERS: TERM: 2 years
QUALIFICATIONS:
21 years old
must be a citizen of TX for
two years prior to election
must be a resident of the
district they are elected from
for one year prior to election
MEMBERS: 31 TERM: 4 years
QUALIFICATIONS:
26 years old
must be a citizen of TX for
five years prior to election
must be a resident of the
district they are elected from
for one year prior to election
LEADER
Speaker of the House
LEADER
Lieutenant Governor

10. Court of Criminal Appeals
Texas Judicial System
Appeals Courts
Losers ask to have their trial reviewed
No jury – decided by a group of judges
No new evidence or witnesses
Texas Supreme Court
Highest Civil Court
CIVIL CASES
Court of Criminal Appeals
Highest Criminal Court
CRIMINAL CASES
District Courts
Considered the most important Trial Court in Texas Judicial System
Criminal felony cases (murder, arson, etc.)
Civil cases involving juveniles or disputes of over $5,000
Level 3
County Courts
2nd level of trial court in the TX Judicial System
TX Constitution requires that all 254 counties have at least one county court
The legislature has the power to create additional county courts in fast-growing cities like Austin
Civil cases where the disputed amount is between $500 and $5,000
Criminal misdemeanor cases where the fine is greater than $200
Level 2
Justice of the Peace
Small towns and rural areas without Municipal Courts
Try civil and minor criminal cases
Justices perform many roles: Marriages, issuing search
warrants, setting bail, and determining the cause of
death
Municipal Courts
Found in larger cities
Deal with violations of city ordinances, such as fire safety
infractions, traffic offenses, and zoning violations
Misdemeanor cases in which the maximum fine is less than
$2000
Level 1

11. Exit Ticket
1. How many branches are in the US constitution? In the Texas Constitution?
2. Name the 3 branches.
3. Which branch has the president and governor in it?
4. What 2 things make up the legislative branch in the US constitution?
5. Why does the US and Texas constitution divide the power between 3 branches?