1. Government

2. The Trinity of American Government
Declaration of Independence
A document that is used to separate a country from another country.
EXAMPLE: Texas from Mexico,
the U.S.A. from the U.K.
Constitution
A document that lists and divides the powers of Government.
EXAMPLE: Texas Constitution of 1845, US Constitution
Bill of Rights
An addition to the Constitution that list the rights of the people.
EXAMPLE: First 10 Amendments to the US Constitution

3. The Constitution Sets forth responsibilities of the government
Places limits on the governments powers
Explains what a government can do and cannot do.
It divides the federal government into three branches (or parts)
The U.S. Constitution was written in 1787.

4. Three Branches of Texas Government
Legislative: makes the laws
Executive: enforces the laws
Judicial: interprets the laws and runs the courts

6. So the Power of Government is divided!!!
Why Three Branches?????
Separation of powers: Each Branch of Government has separate and independent powers and areas of responsibility.
So the Power of Government is divided!!!

7. Checks and Balances: Each branch of government checks the others so not one branch becomes too powerful.

8. The Legislative Branch
The Legislature (or Congress) makes the laws and sets the state budget.
The legislative branch is divided into two houses:
The Senate and the House of Representatives
This is called a Bicameral Legislature.
Texas Senate: 31 members
Texas House of Representatives: 150 members
The Legislative Branch

9. The Legislature meets in Austin for 140 days every other year.
Congressmen and Senators have no term limit. (They can run for re-election as many times as they want)
The Senate has 4 year terms
The House has 2 year terms
Any amendments (changes) to the Constitution must be approved by a 2/3rds vote in both houses

10. There are 31 Senatorial districts and 150 house districts
There are 31 Senatorial districts and 150 house districts. The voters in each district elect their own senators and representatives.
Everyone’s vote counts the same no matter the size of the district.
Voting Districts
House
Senate

11. Sam Rayburn was one of the most effective House Speakers
Speaker of the House
The Speaker is the leader of the House of Representatives is elected by the other representatives.
He is from the party (Democrats or Republicans) that have the most people in the House.
The Senate is overseen by the Lieutenant Governor of Texas
Sam Rayburn was one of the most effective House Speakers

12. Differences with the U.S. Legislature
The legislatures are the same except the state level makes laws for only the state and the national makes laws that cover every state and in number of representatives.
In the U.S. Senate the Vice President is in charge.
US Senators are elected to 6 year terms with no limits

13. The Legislative Branch sets the Texas Budget for 2 years and the budget must always be balanced.
The US Budget is set for one year and does not necessarily have to be balanced.
A balanced budget means the Government doesn’t spend more money that it brings in.

14. OL only

15. What is a Constitution?

16. A Constitution is a set of rules for a government
It must have three things to be a constitution:
1) It must list rules on what a Government can and cannot do
2) It must be divided in articles or sections (parts)
3) It must be for a Country or a State. (Not just the U.S. but any country.)

17. The Executive and
Judicial Branches

18. Sam Houston was President, Senator, and Governor of Texas
John Connolly was shot during the Kennedy Assassination in 1963.
The governor is the chief executive of the state. He has the power to call together a special session of Congress, veto bills, and send messages to the legislature. He also appoints people to executive agencies.
The Governor is elected to a 4 year term of office and there is no term limit. Examples of Governors:
The Executive Branch
Ann Richards was known throughout the country for her quick wit and hard work.
George W. Bush was the first Texas Governor to become President

20. The Lieutenant Governor
Although part of the Executive Branch, the LT. Governor is the head of the Texas Senate.
He enforces the rules and procedures of the Senate.
The Lieutenant Governor is actually considered the most powerful position in the state because he oversees the Texas Senate
The Lieutenant Governor
The late Bob Bullock was known for working well with both political parties as well as being a great lover of Texas History.

21. Our Current LT Governor?
David Dewhurst

22. Executive Agencies The agencies carry out the laws of the State
The Executive Branch is also in charge of Government agencies.
The agencies carry out the laws of the State
1. Boards and commissions appointed by the Governor. Example: Colleges and prisons
And the Governors Cabinet:
2. Members of the cabinet appointed by the Governor. Example: The Secretary of State
3. Members of the cabinet who are elected by the people. Example: The Attorney general (the top lawyer for the state)
Executive Agencies
Cabinet: Are a group of officials who work for and advise the Governor and control executive agencies.

23. Differences with the U.S. Executive
In Texas the head of the Executive branch is the Governor,
In the U.S. the head of the Executive branch is the President.
The President has a 2 term limit.
The Vice President has little power compared to the L.T. Governor

24. The Judicial Branch
The court system falls under the judicial branch which interprets the law.
The Supreme Court is the highest court in Texas
Texas has two “Supreme Courts”

25. COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
TEXAS SUPREME COURT
COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
Deals with Civil Law
Civil Law: Laws dealing with disputes between citizens (when someone sues someone else) as well as Juvenile Cases.
Deals with Criminal Law
Criminal Law: Laws dealing with criminal acts and their punishments

26. TEXAS SUPREME COURT
TEXAS COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
The 9 Justices (judges) of each Supreme Court are elected to 6 year terms with no term limit.

27. Mr. Hannon hearing a case at the Texas Supreme Court.
Dallas, Texas

28. 1 2 3 4 Court of Appeals District Court Next is the District Courts
Below the Supreme Courts you have the Court of Appeals 1
Court of Appeals
Next is the District Courts 2
District Court
Try most felony cases and some major misdemeanors.
Hear divorce cases, election appeals, and appeals involving wills.
Involves cases heard at the county or district court but have not been resolved.
There are 14 of these courts in Texas
Then the County Courts 3 4
Finally the city or municipal courts as well as the Justices of the Peace
County Courts
Municipal Court and Justice of the Peace Courts
Hear appeals from lower courts and handle major misdemeanor and civil cases.
Also hear cases involving wills.
Lowest level of courts
Deal with minor cases and minor misdemeanor criminal cases

29. Differences with the U.S. Judicial Branch
The United States Supreme Court is the final authority on the interpreting the Constitution for the entire country. Texas’ Supreme courts can appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court
The Supreme Court Judges are appointed by the President and approved by the Congress. They have their position for life.