1. Government Unit

2. Texas Constitutions Number of Constitutions Texas has is Current:
Federalism:
Three Branches of Government
Seven
1876- at the end of Reconstruction (after Civil War)
(bill of Rights)- next slide
Some powers belong to the Federal Government (National) and other power belongs to the State Government.
Separation of power- prevents any branch from having too much power
Legislature, Executive , Judicial
Checks and Balances- a system whereby each branch of government has the ability to limit the actions of the other branches.

4. The Texas System of Justice
Judicial Branch
Three Purposes
Civil Law
Criminal Law
Two Types:
Made up of courts and judges throughout the state.
Supports a system by which..
1. Those accused of crimes may be tried and if found guilty punished
2. Disputes can be settled
3. Decides what the laws of the state mean and how they should be enforced
Pertains to legal disputes between private citizens, businesses and government
Examples: property, money, child custody)
Set of laws that describe what people can and can’t do. Protect the public and help maintain order.
Examples: makes it illegal for someone to break into your home, start fires, or hurt anyone
Felony- serious crime such as murder or arson
Misdemeanor- less serious crime such as disorderly conduct

5. The Texas System of Justice
Grand Jury
Indictment
“no Bill”
Petit Jury
Plea Bargaining
Jurors
Considers the case of a person accused of a felony
A formal statement charging a party with the commission of a crime
A grand jury’s decision that the evidence does not warrant an indictment
A group of 12 people who listen to evidence and decide on a verdict; also known as a trial jury
An agreement between a prosecutor and a defendant whereby the defendant is permitted to plead guilty to a lesser charge.
A member of a jury sworn to hear testimony, review facts and hand down a verdict on a case.
Must be (5):
18 years old, a citizen of Texas, no felony convictions, be able to read and write, and be of sound mind

6. Texas Legislature Legislative Branch Duties
Running the State Government
Bicameral: composed of Senate and House of Representatives (two houses or cambers)
Regular Session: every 2 years
Special Sessions: called by the Governor when it is necessary to handle problems immediately
-Makes the laws that govern Texas
-Approving or rejecting the governor’s appointments
-Using the power of Oversight to review the actions of other branches of government
- Meet with citizens to listen to concerns about current issues
Members of Senate:31
Members of House of Representatives: 150
Lieutenant Governor- President of the Senate
Speaker of the House- elected by the House of Reps
Committees- help the legislature carry out tasks such as studying problems and drafting bills.
Redistricting- duty of the legislature is redrawing legislative and congressional districts as the population changes.

7. How a Bill Becomes a Law Bill- a proposed law
A bill that is approved by both the House and the Senate and signed by the Governor becomes a law
Bill is “read” to the entire House OR Senate and assigned to a committee
Committee members listen to testimony from people who like and dislike the bill.
Committee decides if the bill should be voted on by the House or Senate
IF voted yes by House or Senate; the bill goes to the other and starts the process again- BOTH have to approve the EXACT SAME FORM of the bill ---- if they have approved different forms, the Speaker and the Lieutenant governor appoint a conference committee with members of both houses to work out the differences.
If the BOTH House and Senate vote Yes, the bill goes to the governor to be signed into Law.
Bills can Die in Committee or get vetoed by the governor .
IF bill is vetoed-- 2/3 of the House and 2/3 of the Senate can override the veto!

9. I’m just a Bill What does a Bill start as? What can a Bill become?
Who can “Kill a Bill?”
Who can sign the Bill into a Law?
Can a bill stay a bill forever?

10. Executive Branch Function: Executive Powers of the Governor:
The executive branch of the state government:
carries out the laws passed by the legislature
Conducts the business of the state
Governor is the head of the Executive Branch
Four year term
No limit on the number of terms a governor can serve
Must be 30 years old
U.S. citizen
Resident of Texas for at least five year before election
1.Make Appointments to boards and commissions
Has to be approved by 2/3 of the Senate
2. Power to remove certain officials
3. Can appoint members of a committee or board.

11. Executive Branch Legislative Powers of the Governor:
Other Powers of the Governor
Send messages to the legislature, he/shes speaks at the beginning of each regular session
Veto power (CHECK of Legislature) line-item veto (just take out particular items)
Call Special sessions
-Appoints members of the Board or Pardons and Parole, and Board of Criminal Justice, the Texas Youth Commission and other commissions
-Grant pardons, delay execution dates
- Appoint Judges to fill vacancies until regular elections are held.
-Serves as the Commander in chief in Texas (Texas Guard)

12. Financing State Government
Setting the State Budget
Budget Process
Where the state gets its Money
The state’s budget sets economic and social priorities.
Budget- a plan for how much one expects to earn and how one proposes to spend the earnings.
The governor shares the power of setting the budget with the legislature.
-General Tax- gas, cars, houses (property tax), alcoholic beverages and tobacco products
-Franchise Tax- based on the value of machinery and equipment that businesses use to product income
-Texas Lottery ($8 billion in 8 years)
- Some Federal Money
Windfall- money from an unexpected source

14. Types of Local Government
Local Government at Work
Two Kinds of City Government
Organization of City Governments
Services provided by the Local Government: police protection, garbage collection, water and sewer services, education, and fire protection
General- Law City-a city with a government that functions under the general laws of Texas and often provides basic services such as police, fire protection and water and sewer services
Home-rule city- a city with a government that has freedom to govern unless prohibited by state or federal laws
Three forms of City- Government
Mayor – Council- a form of city government in which the mayor has full executive authority
Ordinances- a local law
Council- manager- a form of city government in which the city council hires a professional city manager to manage city affairs and prepare the budge; mayor is mostly a figurehead

15. Cont. & FUNDS City Governments need funds
Commission- a form of city- government in which citizens elect officers to head departments such as public safety and human services; the mayor has little power
Least common form of local government
Property Tax- paid by owners of land, houses and other buildings
Appraise- determined the value of
Sales Tax on the value of goods sold within the city
Fees for other services:
Garbage collections
Hospital Care
Parks
Building permits
Fines collected from Traffic violations
Bonds- certificates that guarantee payment plus interest or ask for state or federal assistance

16. FUNDS Local Government spends the money on… County Government
Special Districts
Police and fire protection
Jail maintenance
Parks
Streets and bridges
Sanitation
Recycling
Storm drainage
Animal shelters
Libraries and museums
airports
254 Counties in Texas
Precincts- there are four in Texas, they elect one county commissioner each, who serve a four year term. They do not conduct trials, instead, it makes policies and directs county business
School Districts are the most common. Money for school districts comes from federal, state and local funds.

17. Political Parties in Texas
Special Interest groups
Non- partisan- candidates are not identified by any particular party
Political Parties serve these functions:
Nominate people to run for public office
Campaign for their candidates
Inform the public of election activites
Encourage volunteers to campaign, participate in party activities
Watch dog- political parties keep track of the activities of other parties
Are organizations of people who share a common interest and seek to exert influence over a particular aspect of government
Lobbyists job is to persuade legislators to pass laws favorable to their group, they may appear before the legislative committees, testify in court hearings and visit legislators and other officials

18. Types of Elections and what you should know about them: