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45 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Texas Economy Today |
1.6 Trillion dollars in gross state products
Leads the nation in exports
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Exports (what?) |
Computers and Electronics |
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Exports (who?) |
Mexico 36% |
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Texas Population |
89% urban. 11% rural. |
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Texas Demographics |
Majority Minority Anglos 43.5% Hispanic 38.6% African American 12.5% Asian 4.5% |
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Texas Population Growth (why?) |
HIGH BIRTH RATES domestic migration International migration |
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Wages in Texas |
Largely behind in wages nationally - 17.2% poverty |
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Religion in Texas |
Evangelical Protestant (1/3) are Republican. Main driving force in Republican party |
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Texas Political Culture |
Individualism and Traditionalism. Texas is primarely politically conservative. (Political culture is a shared set of beliefs, attitudes, and core values on the role of govt.) |
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Role of a state constitution |
Create institutions and explain the source of their power and authority Delegate power to institutions and individuals and how they are used. Ensure that no institute or individual has too much political power |
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Individualism |
Low government control Allow for pursuit of personal interests Intervention kept to a minimum Low tax Limit powers |
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Traditionalism |
Elites are in charge Interet groups hold power |
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Popular sovereignty |
Power granted to the state consitution rests in the people |
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Federalism |
Power split between and central and state government. |
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Supremacy Clause |
US constitution and federal laws are above local laws |
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Powers of the State reserved |
10th Amendment Powers not given to the federal government or not prohibited are left to the state. |
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Full Faith and Credit |
Government actions in one state will be binding and enforceable in other states (Not criminal cases) |
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Privileges and Immunities |
Citizens of a state are entitled to their privileges and immunities in their new or visiting states Protection Enjoyment of life and liberty Aquire and posses property Leave and enter state Use state courts |
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Extradition clause |
People who flee to another state should be returned to the original state Must be requested by executive branch in state crime was committed Criminal stand trial in home state |
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Constitution of 1869 |
"Reconstruction" Increased state government and weakened local government. Annual sessions Annual sessions Annual sessions Power to appoint most state and local officials |
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Edmunds J David administration |
First Republican appointed, lawlessness and violence, unconstitutional things. Caused::: Anti-Republican views Anti-government power Segregation |
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Constitution of 1876 |
Current constitution Very long and specific restricting govt. And Governor. Created plural executive Biennial sessions (part time government) Limits to taxes and debt |
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Constitution of 1876 limits to state government |
Low salary and pay for legislators Cant go into debt Biennial sessions Legislators cant call special sessions
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Constitution of 1876 limits to executive |
Weak governor Appointment powers cut to 1/3 of precious constitution Plural executive office creating multiple executives all accountable to voters |
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Amending the constitution process |
1) proposed by a legislator 2) approved by 2/3 vote in house and Senate 3) published in 2 newspapers 4) majority vote by citizens |
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Structure and Size of Texas Legislauture |
House 150 members. Senate 31 members |
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Sessions and session length |
140 days biennially |
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Salary plus per diem |
$7200 salary plus $190/day = $28200 |
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Qualifications and demographics for Legislature |
High income
Education
Business owner
Knowledgable in state politics and current events
Can raise money
Good communicator |
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Competition in legislature |
Competitive. Unapposed. House. 6% 55% Senate. 0% 44% |
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Single member districts |
Districts represented by 1 member Baker vs carr dictated all districts must be equal |
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Reapportionment |
Allocating representatives to districts |
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Redistricting |
Drawing district lines |
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Gerrymandering |
Drawing district lines to have a political advantage |
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Constituents per district |
167k per house member 811k per Senate member |
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Legislative turnover |
Turnover is low compared to other states Reasons for turnover - legislative redistricting - take other govt offices - voluntary retirement - low pay - hard work |
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Speaker of the House - powers |
(Dennis Bonner) Elected by house members Elected in 2 year terms Controls passage of legislation
-Appoint all committee chairs
-Appoint most standing committee members
-Preside over all sessions
-Refer all Bill's to committees
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Lt. Governor - powers |
(Daniel Patrick) Not a senator and cannot vote Elected by general vote for 4 years
- appoint all committee chairs
- appoint all standing committee members
- preside over all sessions and interperate rules
- refer all Bill's to committees |
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Committee System and types |
Standing committees - consider legislature during sessions - deal with topics of recurring issues Conference committes - resolve differences between the house and Senate to pass a bill by matching versions perfectly |
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Function of legislate |
Create laws Alter laws Enact laws |
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Where do Bill's die? |
After introduction and being assigned to a committee, during the committee action |
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Order that bills become law. |
Introduction and assignment Committee review House and Senate debate and vote Conference Committee Review Executive (governor) approval |
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Who refers bills to the standing committes |
The Speaker of the House and Lt. Governor |
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Most important Committee |
STANDING COMMITTEES |
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Filibuster? |
Senate only, unlimited time to talk about a bill creating a standstill |
