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 1876, 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

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

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

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!!!

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

The Legislative Branch of Texas 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 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 2/3 rds vote in both houses

Voting 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. Senate House

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

The Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Joe Straus

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 Every state gets only TWO senators while the number of members of the House of Representatives is based on population

U.S. Legislators that represent GMS U.S. House of Representatives District # 24 U.S. Senators from Texas Ted CruzJohn CornynKenny Marchant

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.

How is this bicycle like the Legislative Branch?

The Executive and Judicial Branches

The Executive Branch of Texas 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: Ann Richards was known throughout the country for her quick wit and hard work. Sam Houston was President, Senator, and Governor of Texas John Connolly was shot during the Kennedy Assassination in George W. Bush was the first Texas Governor to become President

The Governor of Texas Greg Abbot

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 late Bob Bullock was known for working well with both political parties as well as being a great lover of Texas History.

Lieutenant Governor of Texas Dan Patrick

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.

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

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”

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

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

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

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

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.