Texas Constitution Amendments

Constitutional Amendments

• Amendments require two-thirds support from the legislature or a national convention called by state legislatures.
• Ratification needs a three-fourths majority from state legislatures or conventions.
• Considered powerful tools for addressing significant issues, amendments can also tackle smaller matters.

Criticisms of the Texas Constitution

• The Texas Constitution is lengthy and complex.
• It fails to provide the flexibility modern governance requires for economic and budgetary challenges.

Texas Population and Growth

• Texas experienced a 16% population increase from 2010 to 2020, leading to 38 Congressional seats.
• The natural-born population contributes 55% of state growth, with a high birth rate among Mexican Americans.
• The Hispanic median age is notably younger (27) compared to whites (40), reflecting demographic shifts.

Immigration Impact

• Approximately 1.6 million undocumented immigrants reside in Texas; their economic impact is debated.
• Some studies suggest a $5 billion annual cost to the state, while others indicate a $220 million loss if deported.
• Economically, undocumented residents contribute $17 billion but result in net costs of around $1.16 billion, impacting local governments more severely.

Demographic Diversity

• Nearly 60% of Texans are non-white, with populations comprising 39.8% white, 40% Latinx, 13% African American, and 5% Asian.
• 90% of the population lives in urban areas, and 14% live in poverty.
• Texas shows higher religiosity than the national average, with 77% of residents "absolutely certain" of God’s existence.

Economic Landscape

• Texas has transitioned from an agriculture-based economy to a leader in oil and gas since oil discovery in 1901.
• The economy is diversifying, with rapid growth in sectors like healthcare and technology, housing major companies like McKesson and Dell.
• Gross State Product stands at $1.9 trillion, making Texas the ninth-largest economy globally, surpassing Canada's GDP.

Health Care Statistics

• Texas ranks highest for adults lacking health insurance (18%) and has the fourth-lowest immunization rates for children.
• The state has the ninth-highest teen birthrate and the highest repeat teen birthrate in the nation.

Political Culture

• Texas exhibits a mix of individualistic and traditionalistic political characteristics, emphasizing limited government intervention.
• One-party dominance has shifted from Democrats to Republicans since the late 1970s, influenced by urban/rural divides.

Civic Engagement

• Texas ranks low in civic culture, at 43rd out of 50 states, which impacts effective governance and political equality.

Unique Features of the Texas Constitution

• Texas operates under its sixth constitution, which includes unique provisions, such as prohibiting local laws from affecting names and allowing hunting and fishing as preferred wildlife management methods.
• The constitution’s length (approximately 100,000 words) is notably longer than the U.S. Constitution (7,591 words) and much longer than the average state constitution.

Looking Ahead

• Upcoming curriculum focuses on the Texas Constitution, population dynamics, and political elements, emphasizing engagement and understanding of Texas governance.