Local Government and Legislative Process Overview

Local Government Structure

• Types of Local Governments: Counties, municipalities, special districts, and school districts.
• County Government:
  • Function: Provides services like law enforcement, infrastructure, and public health.
  • Structure: Elected officials such as County Judge, Commissioners, and Sheriff.
• Municipal Government:
  • Types: General-law cities and Home-rule cities.
  • General-law cities operate under state laws; Home-rule cities have more autonomy and can create their own charters.
• Special Districts: Provide specific services (e.g., water, fire protection) and can extend across multiple counties.
• School Districts: Govern public education; operate independently but funded through state and local taxes.

Legislative Process

• Bicameral Legislature: Composed of the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas Senate.
• House of Representatives:
  • 150 members, serve 2-year terms.
  • Must be at least 21 years old, a U.S. citizen, and a resident of Texas for 2 years.
• Senate:
  • 31 members, serve 4-year terms.
  • Must be at least 26 years old, a U.S. citizen, and a resident of Texas for 5 years.
• Legislative Sessions: Regular sessions occur biennially (every odd-numbered year) for 140 days; special sessions can be called by the governor.
• Bill Process:
  • Introduction, committee review, debate, voting in both chambers, and governor's approval or veto.

Executive Branch

• Governor: Chief executive officer; serves a 4-year term with no term limits.
  • Responsibilities: Enforces state laws, appoints officials, budgetary authority.
• Other Executive Officials:
  • Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller, and various elected commissioners (e.g., Agriculture, Land).
• State Agencies: Implement laws and manage public services; overseen by the governor and appointed officials.

Judicial System

• Structure:
  • Texas has a bifurcated system: Texas Supreme Court (civil cases) and Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (criminal cases).
  • Lower courts include District Courts, County Courts, and Justice of the Peace Courts.
• Judges: Elected for specific terms; Texas retains partisan elections for judges.
• Functions: Interprets laws, resolves disputes, and ensures justice.

Federal vs. State Constitutions

• Federal Constitution:
  • Establishes the framework for the federal government; supremacy clause asserts federal law takes precedence over state laws.
• Texas Constitution:
  • More detailed than the federal document; includes specific rights and provisions for governance, amended frequently.
  • Separation of powers and checks and balances similar to federal structure.
• Key Differences:
  • Texas Constitution provides for local governance, more explicit rights, and has provisions for direct democracy (e.g., referendums).
  • Federal Constitution is broader, primarily outlining the structure of national government and fundamental rights.

Local Government Structure

• Types of local governments include counties, municipalities, special districts, and school districts.
• County governments provide essential services such as law enforcement, infrastructure development, and public health initiatives.
• Structure of county governments features elected officials like County Judge, Commissioners, and Sheriff.
• Municipal governments are categorized into general-law cities, which follow state laws, and home-rule cities, which have greater autonomy and can draft their own charters.
• Special districts are specialized entities formed to deliver specific services like water supply or fire protection and may span multiple counties.
• School districts focus on governing public education and operate independently, primarily funded through state and local taxes.

Legislative Process

• Texas has a bicameral legislature composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
• The House of Representatives consists of 150 members serving 2-year terms; members must be at least 21 years old, U.S. citizens, and Texas residents for 2 years.
• The Senate includes 31 members with 4-year terms; eligibility requires members to be at least 26 years old, U.S. citizens, and residents of Texas for 5 years.
• Regular legislative sessions occur biennially in odd-numbered years, lasting for 140 days; special sessions can be convened by the governor when necessary.
• The bill process comprises several stages: introduction, committee review, floor debate, voting in both chambers, and approval or veto by the governor.

Executive Branch

• The governor acts as the chief executive officer of Texas, serving a 4-year term without term limits.
• Key responsibilities of the governor include enforcing state laws, making appointments of officials, and overseeing the state budget.
• Other important executive officials include the Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller, and various elected commissioners handling areas like Agriculture and Land.
• State agencies are tasked with executing laws and managing public services, under the supervision of the governor and appointed officials.

Judicial System

• Texas operates a bifurcated judicial system featuring the Texas Supreme Court for civil cases and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals for criminal cases.
• A hierarchy of lower courts includes District Courts, County Courts, and Justice of the Peace Courts, each serving different legal functions.
• Judges in Texas are elected to specific terms and the election process is partisan in nature.
• The judicial system's functions involve interpreting laws, resolving disputes, and ensuring the delivery of justice.

Federal vs. State Constitutions

• The Federal Constitution outlines the structure for the federal government and incorporates a supremacy clause, asserting that federal law prevails over state law.
• The Texas Constitution is notably more detailed, containing specific rights and governance provisions, and is subject to frequent amendments.
• Similarities between the Federal and Texas Constitutions include the principles of separation of powers and checks and balances.
• Key differences stem from the Texas Constitution's provisions for local governance and specific rights, alongside mechanisms for direct democracy, such as referendums.
• In contrast, the Federal Constitution is broader, primarily detailing the national government's framework and fundamental rights.

Executive Branch

• The governor is the head of the executive branch, serving a four-year term without term limits.
• Responsibilities include law enforcement, issuing vetoes, and proposing budgets.
• The lieutenant governor is elected separately and oversees the Texas Senate, acting in the governor's absence.
• Key executive officials include the Attorney General, who serves as chief legal advisor, and the Comptroller, responsible for financial management.
• The Commissioner of Agriculture oversees agriculture-related issues.
• Various independent executive agencies manage specific functions such as health and transportation.

Legislative Process

• Texas has a bicameral legislature, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
• The House of Representatives has 150 members elected for two-year terms, while the Senate has 31 members elected for four-year terms.
• Regular legislative sessions last 140 days during odd-numbered years; special sessions may last up to 30 days if called by the governor.
• The bill process includes introduction in either chamber, committee review, floor debate, and voting.
• A bill requires majority approval in both chambers and the governor's action (sign, veto, or become law without signature).

Judicial System

• Texas's judicial structure includes the Texas Supreme Court, which handles civil cases, and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals for criminal cases.
• District Courts serve as general trial courts for significant civil and criminal cases.
• County Courts deal with less severe criminal cases and civil disputes.
• Justice of the Peace Courts address minor offenses and small civil matters.
• Judges are selected through partisan elections.

Structures of the Texas Constitution

• The Texas Constitution, adopted in 1876, outlines the state's government structure.
• The separation of powers divides the government into three branches: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial.
• More than 400 amendments have been made since adoption, each requiring voter approval.
• The Bill of Rights guarantees individual rights and liberties, similar to those in the U.S. Constitution.
• Local governments, including counties and municipalities, are granted authority to manage local affairs.

This quiz covers the structure of local governments, including counties, municipalities, and school districts, as well as the legislative process in Texas. Understand the roles of elected officials and the differences between general-law and home-rule cities. Test your knowledge on the function and responsibilities of various government entities.