1. The three branches of Texas State government
Structured much like the Federal Government

2. 3 branches of state government

4. Judicial branch consists of
Texas Criminal Courts
Texas Civil Courts
Texas Courts of Criminal Appeals (appeals courts)
Texas Supreme Court
Texas Criminal Justice System

5. Judicial Branch duties
Sees that Texas laws are applied fairly
Oversees law enforcement

6. Court of Appeals The Court of Appeals determines whether trials
held in trial courts were
fair.

7. Texas Supreme Court
The name of the highest court in Texas to hear criminal cases is the Supreme Court
Nine justices sit on the Texas Supreme Court.

8. judicial term of office
Consists of the judges for all courts
The length of the term of office for the judges of the higher level state courts is six years.

10. Legislative branch The Texas Legislature consists of
Texas House of Representatives
Texas Senate

11. Legislative powers The Texas Legislature has the power to:
Propose amendments to the Constitution of Texas.
Make laws.
to propose a law to raise revenue (a tax law).

12. Making laws
Proposed laws called BILLS are introduced in the House or Senate, then after being sent to committee for consensus, a vote is held.
If approved, the Bill is sent to the governor for approval…..

13. To become a LAW If signed by governor, the Bill becomes a LAW.
If not signed-vetoed-it is no law
If the governor vetoes a bill, the Legislature can override the veto with two-thirds vote.

14. Legislative service
The length of a term of office for members of the Texas House of Representatives is two years.

15. Texas Senate
The length of the term of office for members of the Texas Senate is four years
Thirty-one senators serve in the Texas Senate.
One must be at least 26 years old to be elected to the Texas Senate.

16. Financing
The Texas Legislature is responsible for maintaining a balanced state budget.
It does this through
Taxes
Licenses
fees

17. impeachment
The Texas Legislature has the sole power of impeachment (removing someone from office.)
Only one Texas governor has been impeached-”Pa” Ferguson

18. House service
People elected to the Texas House of Representatives must be at least 21 years old.

20. The Governor
The Governor is the highest member of the executive branch

21. Executive terms of Service
The length of term for the governor of Texas is four years.

22. Executive branch The Governor has the power to
call special sessions of the legislature for emergency state business.
declare martial law in case of a state emergency.