1. Chapter 30
Texas Government

2. Section 1: The Texas Constitution
Essential Question: Why does the Texas Constitution contain a bill of rights?
Main Ideas
Ideas from the U.S. Constitution have influenced the Texas Constitution.
The Texas Constitution is based on several key principles intended to protect the rights of citizens.
The Texas Constitution includes a bill of rights to protect people’s freedoms.

3. outlines Texans’ civil liberties, or individual rights, that the state
Influence
THE TEXAS BILL OF RIGHTS
Purpose
Examples
U.S. Bill of Rights
outlines Texans’ civil liberties, or individual rights, that the state
government promises
to protect
freedom of speech
freedom of the press
freedom of worship
right to a trial by jury

4. Section 2: The Texas Legislature
Essential Question: What are the structure, powers, and duties of the Texas legislature?
Main Ideas
The Texas legislature makes the state’s laws.
The lawmaking process is long and complex.

5. House of Representatives
TEXAS LEGISLATURE
Senate
Leader:
Members:
Term of Office:
Powers and Duties:
Speaker of the House
lieutenant governor
150 representatives
31 senators
two years
four years
make laws
propose constitutional amendments
may bring impeachment charges against and vote to impeach judges and executive officials
make laws
propose constitutional amendments
must approve all executive appointments
may try and convict officials impeached in the House

6. Section 3: The Texas Executive Branch
Essential Question: What are characteristics of the office, and powers and duties of the Texas governor?
Main Ideas
The powers and duties of the governor of Texas are outlined in the state constitution.
In addition to the governor, several other officials and agencies are part of the executive branch.

7. TEXAS GOVERNOR Selection Term of Office Qualifications Primary Powers
and Duties
Other Powers
elected in even-numbered years that do not have presidential elections
four years, with no term limit
at least 30 years old, U.S. citizen, Texas resident for at least five years immediately before the election.
oversees many state agencies, appoints and removes officials to state agencies (with Senate approval), proposes budget and policies for the states, signs or vetoes bills and budget items
makes “State of the State” address, calls special sessions of the legislature and sets the agenda, appoints judges to fill vacancies, pardons criminals, calls out the National Guard, declares martial law, represents state

8. Section 4: The Texas Judiciary
Essential Question: What important function does the jury system fulfill?
Main Ideas
The Texas judicial system includes many levels of courts.
Juries play important roles in the judicial system.

9. decides the verdict in a trial person accused of a felony
TEXAS JURY SYSTEM
Importance
Petit Jury
Grand Jury
fulfills the right of all Texans to a trial by jury, as guaranteed in the Texas Bill of Rights
decides the verdict in a trial
decides whether a
person accused of a felony
should be indicted

10. Section 5: The State Budget and Public Education
Essential Question: How is public education in Texas governed?
Main Ideas
The Texas budget includes revenue from taxes, fees, and other sources.
Public education is funded and governed at both the state and local levels.

11. Texas Board of Education Texas Education Agency
STATE ADMINISTRATION
LOCAL ADMINISTRATION
TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Texas Legislature
passes laws governing public schools
sets education policy and reviews textbooks; 15 elected members
Texas Board of Education
puts education policy into effect; directed by an appointed commissioner of education
Texas Education Agency
Independent School Districts
run schools locally
govern the school districts; duties include selecting textbooks and setting property tax rates
School Boards
run the day-to-day business of the school district; hired by the school board
Superintendents

12. Chapter Wrap-Up
How was the Texas Constitution influenced by ideas found in the U.S. Constitution? Why do you think the two documents have similarities?
What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of having a weak governor?
Name the public service that you think should receive most state funds. Give three reasons to support your choice.