Exam 4: Texas Today Flashcards
How many articles are within the Texas Constitution?
17 articles
was bigger than the US constitution when it was first established
What did Article I of the Texas Constitution establish?
the Bill of Rights: embodies the US BOR
What did Article II of the Texas Constitution establish?
Powers of Government: the idea of separation of powers and check and balances
What did Article III of the Texas Constitution establish?
the Legislative branch
What did Article IV of the Texas Constitution establish?
The Executive Department
T/F: the texas constitution also contains amendments.
FALSE the bill of rights in the Texas constitution are listed in an ARTICLE, not as amendments
What is the difference between the US BOR and the Texas BOR?
The Texas BOR has a section on the rights for criminal victims and on Monopoly
What is Monopoly?
were one or a few business dominate the field
example: Amazon
What is the longest article in the constitution?
Article III: legislative branch
Was was established in Article III, legislative branch of the Texas Constitution?
- contains a house and senate
- role is to make laws for the State of Texas
How many members are within the Texas Senate?
31 members
- odd number to prevent a tie
who leads the Texas Senate?
the Lieutenant governor
What is the eligibility of the Texas Senate?
- 4 year term (no term limit)
- 25 years old +
- 5 yr citizenship of TX (still has to be a US citizen)
- 1 year citizen of district
what is a district?
the area that you live in
what is the total number of members that the Texas House can have?
150 members
(no more than 150 members)
who leads the Texas House of Representatives?
led by the speaker of the house
What are the eligibility of the texas House?
- 21 years old +
- 2 yrs citizenship of TX
- 1 yr citizen of district
- 2 year terms
(no term limit)
What did Article IV: executive department established?
outline the Plural Executive the 7 positions that makeup the executive branch
eligibility/ rules for plural executive members
- elected every 4 years
- no term limit
- paid positions
what are the 7 Plural Executive Members?
- Governor (chief executive)
- Lieutenant Governor
- Attorney General
- Comptroller (chief financial officer)
- General Land Commissioner
- Agriculture Commissioner
- Secretary of State
What is the eligibility of the governor?
30 yrs +
US citizen
lived in TX for 5 yrs
elected every 4 years w/ no term limit
Who is the current governor of TX?
Greg Abbott
Who was the longest serving US governor in US history?
Texas Senator Rick Perry
how many years did Rick Perry serve?
15 yrs
T/F: the governor cannot be impeached.
FALSE
the governor CAN be impeached
What type of powers does the Texas governor have?
- legislative powers: can veto laws & work with member of congress. CANNOT write bills
- appointment powers
What are some roles of the Lieutenant Governor?
- presides over the Senate
- will replace governor if needed
(basically the VP of Texas)
who is the current Lieutenant Governor
Dan Patrick
What are some areas that the attorney general is involved in?
- where TX sues the US or vice versa
- Oversees all State court related matters
- Launch all investigations on behalf of Texas
- Oversees all thing Child Custody
who is the current attorney general
Ken Paxton
Comptroller is also called the
chief financial officer
what is the role of the Comptroller
oversees the Texas Budget
* makes sure people are getting paid
(kinda like the Texas Treasury)
Who is the current Comptroller
Glenn Hager
What is the role of the General Land Commissioner
oversees State assets and mineral rights
what are state assets
every the state of owns
* buildings, land, etc
What are Mineral rights?
the “underground” of TX
* drilling etc
who is the current general land commissioner
Dr. Dawn Buckingham
What are some roles of the Agriculture Commissioner?
oversees Agriculture, consumer protection, and Economic Development
what is consumer protection
protection of people buying things
what are some examples of consumer protection?
- food scales in grocery stores
- credit card scammers
- oversees price gauging
price gauging
when they charge you more than what it should cost
who is the current Agriculture Commissioner
Sid Miller
T/F: the secretary of state is elected.
FALSE
the secretary of state is Appointed by the governor
What are the roles of the secretary of state?
- oversees all Texas Elections
- Public Filing
who is the current Secretary of State?
Jane Nelson
How does the secretary of state oversee texas elections
if someone wants to run in Texas they must first run it by the Secretary of state
check for voting fraud
What is the role of public filing
oversees anything dealing with documentation
- birth and death certificates
- business documentations
What does Article V of the TX constitution establish?
the Judicial Department
What does Article VI of the TX constitution establish?
Suffrage
What does Article VII of the TX constitution establish?
Education
What does Article XV of the TX constitution establish?
XV = 15
Impeachment
what is the Difference b/w US impeachment and Texas Impeachment
If the house votes to impeach that member is suspended until the senate votes
What is the process of impeachment
Texas House
1) Investigate the crime
2) Vote to officially impeach
a) Impeach –> officially recognize that a high crime or misdemeanor has taken place
Senate
□ Role: determine if the member should be removed
□ Has a trail
Texas Supreme court justice = judge; oversees the trail
Senate = Jury
Texas congressional members = prosecution
Accused = defense
