Download 3 Branches of Texas Government

3 Branches of Texas Government
Legislative Branch (bicameral = 2 houses)
Purpose: makes the laws
a) # of members:
b) Qualifications:
c) Term:
d) Yearly salary:
e) Leader:
House of Representatives
Senate
150
21 yrs. old
2 yrs. TX resident
1 yr. in district
2 years
$7,200
Speaker of the House
31
26 yrs. old
5 yrs. TX resident
1 yr. in district
4 years
$7,200
Lt. Governor
Other duties of office:
Meets every other year (except for special sessions called by governor); makes the laws through
committee and debate (committee chairmen are very powerful); approves state budget; has
power of oversight; redistricting
Executive Branch
Purpose: carries out the laws
Leader: Greg Abbott
Term: 4 years
Yearly salary: $150,000
Qualifications: 30 years old; U.S. citizen; resident of Texas for at least 5 years
Executive Powers: makes appointments to boards and commissions; power to remove officials
due to misconduct
Legislative Powers: send messages to the legislature…”this is what I want!”; veto power
(including line-item veto); can call special sessions due to emergencies
Judicial Powers: appoints members of the Board of Pardons and Paroles, the Board of Criminal
Justice, and Texas Youth Commission; can delay executions and grant pardons; appoints judges
to fill vacancies
Other Members of the Executive Branch:
Lt. Governor-Dan Patrick: President of the Senate; assists the governor
Attorney General-Ken Paxton: represents Texas in legal matters; chief legal officer
Secretary of State-Carlos Cascos: chief election officer; keeper of the Texas State Seal
Judicial Branch
Purpose: interpret and enforce laws
Difference between Civil Law and Criminal Law:
Civil-disputes between 2 parties; Criminal-says what people can and cannot do (felonies=major
crimes, misdemeanors=lesser crimes)
Difference between a Grand Jury and a Petit Jury:
Grand Jury decides whether there is enough evidence for a trial; Petit Jury decides guilt or
innocence of the accused (the “Hollywood” jury)
Who is the Attorney General of Texas and what are the AG’s duties?
Ken Paxton; represents cases involving the state; chief law enforcement officer in Texas
Difference between the TX Supreme Court and the TX Court of Criminal Appeals:
Supreme Court-highest court of appeals in Texas involving civil or juvenile cases; Court of
Criminal Appeals-highest court of appeals in Texas involving criminal cases