The Texas Constitution:
Explaining the Foundations of the Lone Star State The current Texas Constitution is a document, which was accepted on February 15, 1876. It is the seventh written constitution of Texas. It contains sixteen articles and places many restrictions on government. Although it is the supreme law in the State, it also falls under Article IV, Clause 2 of the U.S. Constitution, also known as the Supremacy Clause. Much like the U.S. Constitution, the Texas Constitution establishes a Bill of Rights, Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches and expresses Powers of Government. As of 2015, the Texas legislature approved 491 amendments to the constitution, the fourth highest in the United States. The Texas Constitution as we …show more content…
Davis, the Texas constitution places much emphasis on legitimacy and limited government. Much like the U.S. Constitution, the Texas Constitution includes a Bill of Rights. However instead of including the Bill of Rights as proposed amendments, Texas included theirs in Article I with a focus on providing equal rights for the citizens. Also similar to the U.S. Article II separates Texas government into Legislative, Executive, and a Judicial branches. However, these powers are not completely separated as they overlap one another. One example is the Supreme Court’s ability to act as the Executive branch by issuing a writ of mandamus. Articles III, IV and V consist of the Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches respectfully. Article III sets the salary for the Legislators which is currently only $7,200 a year. Also the article places specific limits on the legislature. One example is that the legislature only holds session every two years, or biennially. Article IV establishes a Plural Executive branch consisting of a lieutenant governor, comptroller, commissioner of the General Land Office, attorney general, and members of the Texas Railroad Commission. Article V separates the Judicial branch into six different courts including two supreme courts. The supreme courts are divided into the Supreme Court which handles civil cases, and the Court of Criminal Appeals which handles criminal cases. Unlike the U.S. federal court system, overlapping of jurisdiction does exist in cases within the Texas court system. Article VI establishes the right to vote. It also establishes restrictions on voting such as age requirement and restrictions due to mental illness or felony charges. Article VI has been amended several times to comply with federal
Explaining the Foundations of the Lone Star State The current Texas Constitution is a document, which was accepted on February 15, 1876. It is the seventh written constitution of Texas. It contains sixteen articles and places many restrictions on government. Although it is the supreme law in the State, it also falls under Article IV, Clause 2 of the U.S. Constitution, also known as the Supremacy Clause. Much like the U.S. Constitution, the Texas Constitution establishes a Bill of Rights, Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches and expresses Powers of Government. As of 2015, the Texas legislature approved 491 amendments to the constitution, the fourth highest in the United States. The Texas Constitution as we …show more content…
Davis, the Texas constitution places much emphasis on legitimacy and limited government. Much like the U.S. Constitution, the Texas Constitution includes a Bill of Rights. However instead of including the Bill of Rights as proposed amendments, Texas included theirs in Article I with a focus on providing equal rights for the citizens. Also similar to the U.S. Article II separates Texas government into Legislative, Executive, and a Judicial branches. However, these powers are not completely separated as they overlap one another. One example is the Supreme Court’s ability to act as the Executive branch by issuing a writ of mandamus. Articles III, IV and V consist of the Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches respectfully. Article III sets the salary for the Legislators which is currently only $7,200 a year. Also the article places specific limits on the legislature. One example is that the legislature only holds session every two years, or biennially. Article IV establishes a Plural Executive branch consisting of a lieutenant governor, comptroller, commissioner of the General Land Office, attorney general, and members of the Texas Railroad Commission. Article V separates the Judicial branch into six different courts including two supreme courts. The supreme courts are divided into the Supreme Court which handles civil cases, and the Court of Criminal Appeals which handles criminal cases. Unlike the U.S. federal court system, overlapping of jurisdiction does exist in cases within the Texas court system. Article VI establishes the right to vote. It also establishes restrictions on voting such as age requirement and restrictions due to mental illness or felony charges. Article VI has been amended several times to comply with federal