Alex Tang's Texas Government

Front 1

5 Stages of Public Policy Process

Back 1

Agenda Building, Policy Formulation, Policy Adoption, Policu Implementation, and Policy Evaluation

Front 2

Process through which issues become public concern/government action.

Back 2

Agenda Building

Front 3

What is Policy Formulation?

Back 3

Development of strategies for dealing with problems on official policy agenda.

Front 4

What are the 2 types of policy formulation and describe them.

Back 4

Rational Comprehensive Model: Est. Goals, identify alternatives, estimate cost/benefits, and select policy with greatest benefit.

Incremental Model: Working with imperfect info, continually adjust policies for goals, constantly readjusting.

Front 5

Official Decision of Gov. Body to addpet particulat policy and put it into effect

Back 5

Policy Adoption

Front 6

What is Policy Implementation?

Back 6

Stage of policy process which policies are carried out.
People: District attorneys, Judges, Governers, etc.

Front 7

Assessment of Policy, questions equity, efficiency,effectiveness, and political feasibility.

Back 7

Policy Evaluation

Front 8

NEW SECTION:

The People, Economy, and Political Culture of Texas.
(Not Very Important)

Back 8

Chapter One, Bitches.

Front 9

What is Hopwood v. Texas, and the case. (More questions Ahead)

Back 9

Affirmative Action suit againts UT Austin. White people argued that they were better qualified then latinos/blacks.

Front 10

What is the Equal Protection Clause.

Back 10

Why Texas lost the case, 14th amendment, "No State shall ... deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."

Front 11

What famous alternative affirmative action program we all saw in high school came from this case.

Back 11

The top 10% rule.

Front 12

NEW SECTION:

TEXAS CONSTITUTION (GO VINCE!)

Back 12

Chapter Two, Bitches

Front 13

Significance of Edgewood v. Kirby?

Back 13

Controversial School funding suit, ended up with Robin Hood Plan, whereas richer districts gave poorer districts money (forceably). MAX: 280,000 property wealth per student.

Front 14

State constitution/laws are authorative so long they do not conflict with U.S. constitution/federal law.

Back 14

Federal Preemption of State Authority.

Front 15

Plural Executive

Back 15

division of executive power among seceral elected officials, weaken their governers.

Front 16

2 Principles of Jacksonian Democracy, adopted by Texas

Back 16

Suffrage - right to vote
Long Ballot - election of nearly every public official of any significance

Front 17

What is the homestead act, made in Constitutional Convention of 1875?

Back 17

legal residence, cannot be taken in payment of debt, except for loan payment or tax delinquency

Front 18

What is the significance of the Constitutional Convention pf 1875?

Back 18

Prohibited:
Branch Banking: single large bank ocnducts business in several location.

New Constituion approved, fundamental law of state of texas

Front 19

Provision of the Texas Constitution that states the following: "Equality under the law shall not be denied or abridged because of sex,race,color,creed,or national orgin"

Back 19

Texas Equal Rights Amendments (ERA)

Front 20

Budget Execution Authority (Limited for Texas Governers)

Back 20

power to cut agency spencing or transfer money b/w agencies during period when legislature is not in session.

Front 21

Dedicated Funds

Back 21

constitutional/statutory for particular purpose. E.g. Dedicated Highway Fund, Permanant University Fund

Front 22

Constituional Summary of Policy Making in TEXAS.

Back 22

IT (Constitution) est. ground rules, laws must be passed by both houses, and signed by governer. (Veto = 2/3 In both houses)

Front 23

NEW SECTION:

The Federal Context of Texas Policymaking

Back 23

Chapter 3, Bitches!

Front 24

What is the Texas Natural Conservation Commission TNRCC

Back 24

the state agency responsibly for enforcing pollution control regulations in Texas.

Front 25

States In Federal System

Back 25

Federation: Political System that divides power with a central gov, and state governments.

Soveriegnty: Authority os state to excercise own powers in itsboundaries

National Supremecy Clause: Federal > State.

Front 26

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka.

What is it/Importance.

Back 26

School Desegregation Suit.

WIth support of NAACP, charged Kansas with violating Equal Protection Clause, "Seperate Education is inherently unequal"

Texas @ the time had Dual School system, so affected us.

Front 27

Ruiz v Estelle

what/importance.

Back 27

Prison Overcrowding Suit.

Texan Prisons were constituted "cruel and unusual punishment" Many sweeping changed to Texas prisons, and expanded the prison a lot.

Front 28

Roe v. Wade

what/significance?

Back 28

Abortion Suit.
3 Trimesters.
1st: No Interference
2nd: Regulate only to protect health of women.
3rd: After viability (survive out of womb), state could prohibit abortion, except when to save women life.

Abortion now legal in all states.

Front 29

Factoid: Policy Formulation and Adoption

Back 29

The federal gov influences state policy adoption.

States raise drinking age to 21, lower speed limit, to get more highway grant money.

Front 30

Factiod: Policy Implementation & Evaluation

Back 30

When States accept federal funds, there are usually strict guidelines, E.g. Clean Air Act,

Policies are Evaluated by grant deserve continue funding or whether state policies are constitutional.

Front 31

NEW SECTION:

Political Participation

Back 31

Did you know, online practice tests can be found @:

www.ablongman.com/tannahilltexas/

????!!!!????!!!!????

Front 32

Franchise / Enfranchise

Back 32

Right to vote/ grant right to vote

Front 33

Smith v. Allwright

Back 33

Removed white primary, helped black citizens vote, soon poll tax would be gone as well.

Front 34

Election Precint

Back 34

VOting District

Front 35

Practice of polic targeting individuals as suspected criminals based on race.

Back 35

What is Racial Profiling, Alex.

Front 36

NEW SECTION: Interest Groups

Back 36

Did you know that Kristen Kreuk is really hot?!

Front 37

Tort Reform/Case

Back 37

Reform: revision of state laws to limit ability of plantiffs in personal injury lawsuits to recover damages in court.

Case: legal dispute from personal injury/property. E.g. Car Crash

Front 38

Factiods: Court Related

Back 38

Plantiff: Initiate Lawsuit

Civil Defendant: party to respond to suit.

Punitive Damages: monetary awards forcivil suits.

Front 39

Factiods: Organized Labor

AFL-CIO
(American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations)

Back 39

Right to Work Law: Prevents union shop.

Union/Closed Shop: workplace where all must be in a union.

Frostbelt: NE MidW, with strong industrilized union states.

Front 40

Factoids: Interest Groups

Collective Bargaining: negotiation b/w employer and union representing them.

Back 40

Religious Right: individuals (conservative) views from their religion.

Advocacy Group: representing those who cannot represent themselve, E.g. Children Defense Fund.

Cause Group: Single Issue groups, NRA, MADD.

Front 41

Factiods: Interest Group Tactics

Political Action Committees(PACS)
Organizations to raise/distribute money for campaings.

Lobbying: communication of info by rep. of IG to influence a policy.

Back 41

WHY interest groups give money?
1. Influence policy
2. Gain Access to the legislative policy.
3. Avoid Making Powerful Enemies

Front 42

TEXAS CONSTITUTION

Not in the Book
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/txconst/toc.html

Back 42

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/txconst/toc.html

Go here and read for fun

Front 43

Ex post facto

Back 43

After the fact law, a.k.a you cannot be arrested for doing something that was not illegal when you did it.

Front 44

Factoid: Legislative Meetings

Back 44

Every 2 years, or when called by governer.

Front 45

Representative Qualifications

Back 45

Citizen of the United States, voter of this State,resident of this for two years, and is twenty-one years old.

Front 46

Senator Qualifications

Back 46

Citizen of the United States, voter of this State,resident of this for five years, and is twenty-six years old.

Front 47

The Executive Department of the State shall consist of?

Back 47

A Governor, who shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the State, a Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Comptroller of Public Accounts, Commissioner of the General Land Office, and Attorney General

Front 48

Governer Qualifications

Back 48

The Governor First Tuesday after the organization of the Legislature,term of four years, or until his successor shall be duly installed.thirty years of age, a citizen of the United States, and resided at least five years.

Front 49

Passing of Bill Procedure

Back 49

Originate with in House or Senate, approved by both. If Veto return for 2/3 approval by both house. Governer has 1 line veto power, if no response within 10 days it is passed.

Front 50

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR INFORMATION

Back 50

Same Qualifications as Governer.
President of Senate, tie break vote. Replace Governer when need be.

Front 51

President pro tempore of the Senate

Back 51

This is the highest ranking senator, basically a vice vice governer.

Front 52

Secretary of State Obligations.

Back 52

Appointed by the Governor, w/ advice and consent of the Senate, and in office w/ current Governor.

Front 53

ATTORNEY GENERAL DUTIES.

Back 53

Represent State in suits in the Supreme Court of Texas in where state is party, and shall especially inquire into the charter rights of all private corporations, in the name of the State take action in the courts to prevent private corporation from exercising any power not allocated to them not authorized by law.
He shall seek a judicial forfeiture of such charters, unless otherwise expressly directed by law, and give legal advice in writing to the Governor and others. And perform such other duties required by law.

Front 54

The Comptroller of Public Accounts, Commissioner of the General Land Office, Attorney General, and any statutory State officer who is elected by the electorate of Texas at large will...

Back 54

4 year terms, live at state capitol.

Front 55

JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT.

Back 55

The judicial power of this State shall be vested in one Supreme Court, in one Court of Criminal Appeals, in Courts of Appeals, in District Courts, in County Courts, in Commissioners Courts, in Courts of Justices of the Peace.

Front 56

The Supreme Court

Back 56

Chief Justice and eight Justices.
licensed to practice law in this state and citizen of the United States, age of thirty-five years, and has been a practicing lawyer, or a lawyer and judge of a court of record together at least 10 years.
Elected (three every two years) at a general election; shall 6 year offices.

Front 57

The Court of Criminal Appeals

Back 57

Same as Supreme Court, a court of last resort for criminal cases I suppose.

Front 58

TRIAL BY JURY

Back 58

in District Courts, the plaintiff or defendant shall, upon application made in open court, have the right of trial by jury, their fees will be payed by the demandee.

Front 59

Juror Qualifications

Back 59

cannot be convicted of bribery, perjury, forgery, or other high crimes.

Front 60

SUFFRAGE RESTRICTIONS

Back 60

Under 18 years of age,mentally incompetent, and
persons convicted of any felony.
exclude those who have bribery, perjury, forgery, or other high crimes.

Front 61

Voting Priveledge

Back 61

Voters shall, in all cases, except treason, felony or breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at elections, and in going to and returning therefrom.

Front 62

TAXES FOR BENEFIT OF SCHOOLS; SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Back 62

One-fourth of the revenue derived from the State occupation taxes shall be set apart annually for public schools.
The State Board of Education duties will be to set amount of available funds to provide free text books for the use of children attending the public free schools of this State.

If taxation be insufficient, the deficit may be met by appropriation from the general funds of the State.

The Legislature may provide for the formation of school districts by general laws, and school districts may be parts of two or more counties.

Front 63

Est. UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS

Back 63

The legislature shall establish, organize and provide for the maintenance, support and direction of a University of the first class, and styled, "The University of Texas," for the promotion of literature, and the arts and sciences, including an Agricultural, and Mechanical department.

Front 64

Permanant University Fund(PUF): Constitution Factoids

Back 64

UT may invest the (PUF) in securities, bonds or other obligations issued, insured, or guaranteed in any manner by the United States Government.

UT can put PUF in any kind of investment, that prudent investors would acquire or retain in light of the purposes, terms, distribution requirements, and other circumstances of the fund then prevailing considering the investment of all the assets of the fund rather than a single investment.

Front 65

TEXAS TOMORROW FUND

Back 65

search on wilkipedia for it!

Front 66

ad valorem taxes.

Ad valorem is Latin for "According to value".

From Wilkepedia

Back 66

No STATE ad-valorem tax.
Typically imposed at the time of a transaction (a sales tax or value-added tax (VAT)) but it may be imposed on an annual basis (property tax) or in connection with another significant event (inheritance tax or tariffs).

Front 67

Article 14 - PUBLIC LANDS AND LAND OFFICE

Back 67

There shall be one General Land Office in the State, where all land titles shall be registered.

Front 68

IMPEACHMENT

Back 68

The power of impeachment shall be vested in the House of Representatives.

Front 69

AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION OF THIS STATE

Back 69

(a) The Legislature may propose amendments revising the Constitution. The date of the elections shall be specified by the Legislature.

The proposal be approved by two-thirds of all the members elected to each House.

(b) A brief explanatory statement of the nature of a proposed amendment.

(c) If it appears from the returns that a majority of the votes cast have been cast in favor of an amendment, it shall become a part of this Constitution, and proclamation thereof shall be made by the Governor.

Front 70

RETURNING TO THE BOOK
:::CHAPTER 6::::

Political Parties

Back 70

Holy Crap MY TEST IS tomorrow.
1/17/06
- Alex

Front 71

History of the Texas Party System Segment...

Breif Overview follows

Back 71

Texas has 5 Party eras
1. Reconstruction (1870's) to 1930's. One party Democratic.

2. 1930's-1952 One party stsate, but liberal & conservative factions within Democratic Party

3. 1952-1978 3 Sides. Conservative Demo, Liberal Demo, Republicans.

4. 1978-1994 Competetive 2 party, equal.

5. 1994- Present, 2 party system, republicans w/ advantage.

Front 72

First Party Era: One Party Democratic 1970-1930

Back 72

Solid South - Sweeping Democratic Victories.

Very Racist times, poll tax levied, white primary elected most officials.

Front 73

Second Party Era: Democratic Party Factionalist 1930's-1952

Back 73

Liberals supported roosevelts "New Deal Program" and exacted several great depression combats.

Their power waned after the depression cuz Rep has more money and liberal supporters were less likely to vote. (poorer)

Front 74

Third Party Era: Cons. Dem, Liberal Dem, Repulic. 52-78.

Yellow Dog Democrat- Loyal democratic party voter.

Back 74

Liberal Democrats gained str. cuz dem. electorate was changing, minorities could actually vote unharassed now.

Additionally Rep. Gained str. cuz of eisenhower's badassness, won state in 52&56.

Why? Many cons, saw a increasing liberal national dem, and the civil war bitterness has faded away, thus the rise of rep is inevitable or etc.

Front 75

Fourth Party Era: Become 2 party state 1978-1994.

Back 75

Started by the 78 election, John Hill (Liberal Dem.) won primary againts Cons Dem Incumbent.

Then GOP Clements won for the first time in over a century for a Rep. Governer againts Hill. EXCITING TIMES.

Between this era, 5 pres election, 7 senate, 5 governers elections. Rep won 13/17. But Most statewide exe offices below gov. were for dem.

Why? Tradition on their side, long time dem. incubents, larger pool of dem expereinced incubents, republican issues at statewide/nationwide were just better.

Front 76

Fifth Party Era: TX becomes republican state. 1994-NOW

Back 76

Bush beats Ann Richards, rise of republicans.

Party Identification is equal but rep are more likely to vote. Ever rising # of rep. seats, after 2000 elections, almsot every district judge/county officials were rep.

Front 77

Current Party Details: FACTOIDS GALORE.

Back 77

Rep outspends/outorganizes the dem.

Group Alliances: Give money directly or through independent expenditures(funds spent on behald on candidate that are not coordinated with candidats campaign).

Front 78

Voting Patterns. Income, Race & Ethnicity, Region, Place of Residence.

Back 78

High Income -> Rep.
Lower-> Dem.

Minority(blacks)-> Dem.
non-hispanic white- Rep.

East/South Texas (Latino)-> Dem.
West/Panhandle/Central (NOT AUSTIN) -> Rep.

Suburbs-> Rep.
Inner City-> Dem.

Front 79

Issue ORIENTATION:

Back 79

Both dont like TAAS (TAKS now). Dem: need more complete evaluation system. Rep: amount of time devoted could be used for teaching basic skills.

Dem Favor increase min wage, rep want to revoke it.

Dem want clean air act, rep want to destroy the EPA.

Front 80

Party Division.

Random Fact: Hate Crime Legislation- legislatice measure that increases penalties for persons convited of criminality based on race,religion,gender,etc.

Back 80

Dem are seperated though conservative/liberal ( a bit ).

Rep is social/business oriented conservative. Social: oppose abortion, gambling, gay/lesbian rights, and creation science. Basically Moral/Cultural Issues.

Business believe moral concerns must be balanced againts nations economic health.

E.g. Moral want to enact "Freedom from Religious Persecution Act" stopping trade from countries which persecute religion (china, etc)

Front 81

NEW SECTION: CHAPTER 8 (Skipped 7:elections)

THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE

Back 81

I love 1/2 Price Books.

- Alex Tang

Front 82

Bicameral Legislature.

Fact: Nebraska has a unicameral legislature.

Back 82

150 House(2 Year), 31 Senators (4 year terms, election every 2 years)

House alone has power of impeachment, by majority vote.

Senate tries the impeachment and need 2/3 vote to remove official.

Front 83

Session Frequency/Length

Back 83

Legislature meetws odd calender years, 2nd tuesday of January.

Texas Legislature cannot call themselves into session, only the gov. can (30 days).

140 Days for long session.

Front 84

Legislature Membership

Back 84

Mostly white males, no asians, one openly gay, mostly professionals (law and business).

Front 85

Legislature Compensation

Back 85

Very low, 7200 a year, but has a higher nonsalary compensation, 119 a day.

Front 86

LEGISLATURE FACTOIDS:

::Leadedership::
Lt. Governer & Speaker of House are presiding officers. Gov/Lt. Gov are not on same ticket, if Lt. Gov become vacant, Senate chooses succesor.

Speaker is state rep, public voting. Both of these leaders appoint commitee chairs, and etc.

Back 86

Legislature Turnover: replacement of members from one session to the next.

Texas does not have term limitations of initiative & referendum.

Front 87

LEGISLATURE FACTOIDS:

COMMITTEES: Most influencital
House: Ways&Means, Appropriations, State Affairs
Senate: Finance, State Affairs, Juriprudence.

Back 87

Standing commitee is permanent commitee to handle legislation.

No legislature may be on more then 2 of the committes or be chair of more then 1 committe.

Front 88

Legislaive PROCESS

bill= proposed law.

resolution = legislative statement on certain manner.

joint resolution = amendment, 2/3 of both chamber.

Back 88

Legislative Budget Board: agency to study state revunue and budgetary needs b/w legislative sessions and prepare budget/appropration bills to submit.

Legislative Redistricting Board, agency where speaker, lt. governer, comptroller, land commisioner, attorney general, redraw boundaries of house/senate seats when legislature cannot do a redistricting plan.

Front 89

I'm Taking the test in 2.5 Hours so, im just gonna put random facts in now, just reading, good luck on your test!

Back 89

line item veto limited to appropriations bill, authorization to spend money for particular purpose.

Front 90

repeieve- postponement of punishment.
pardon - exemption of punishment

Back 90

commutation - reduction of punishment.