1. Texas Government A Condensed Version

2. 3 Branches of Government 1.Legislative: makes laws 2.Executive: governor and lieutenant governor 3.Judicial: court system (judges)

3. Facts 1.The highest ranking official in Texas is the Governor 2.The 2 nd highest ranking official in Texas is the Lieutenant Governor 3.The Constitution that Texas uses today is the Constitution of 1876 4.How does the constitution stay current? Amendments

4. Facts, con’t 1.Texas law makers meet every 2 years 2.The law makers can only meet for 140 days 3.If something important that comes up, the governor can call a Special Session 4.Texas must operate on a Balanced Budget

5. Facts, con’t 1.Balanced Budget: Texas won’t spend more than it makes in Taxes (no debt) 2.Deficit: debt; spend more than comes in 3.Popular Sovereignty: government ruled by the people

6. Facts, con’t 1.About 50% of Texas money comes from taxes 2.Largest tax in Texas is the sales tax 3.The 2 nd largest source of money in Texas comes from the US Government