Download Texas Vs. US Governments

Texas Government vs. U.S.
Government
Constitution Interesting Facts
• In the 1700’s 90% of all Americans had a basic understanding of the
principles in the constitution. Today, that number is between 10-20%.
• The U.S. Constitution has 4,400 words. It is the oldest and shortest written
Constitution of any major government in the world
• About 4,000 of these words describe the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial
Branches and how they are to operate.
• Another 400 words describe the relationships between the states and how to
make amendments to the Constitution.
• Of the spelling errors in the Constitution, “Pensylvania” above the signers’
names is probably the most glaring
• Because of his poor health, Benjamin Franklin needed help to sign the
Constitution. As he did so, tears streamed down his face
• The Constitution was “penned” by Jacob Shallus, A Pennsylvania General
Assembly clerk, for $30 ($726 today)
Constitutions
U.S
• Created: 1787 (ratified
1789)
• Preamble
• 7 Articles
• Bill of Rights and
Amendments (27)
Texas
• Created: 1876 (has had 6
different constitutions)
• Preamble
• Bill of Rights
• 17 Articles (approx. 80,000
words total)
• Amendments (over 500)
Articles of the U.S. Constitution
•Article 1 - The Legislative Branch
•Article 2 - The Executive Branch
•Article 3 - The Judicial Branch
•Article 4 - The States
•Article 5 - Amendment
•Article 6 - Debts, Supremacy, Oaths
•Article 7 - Ratification
Articles of the Texas Constitution
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Article I – Bill of Rights
Article II – Powers of Government (separation of powers)
Article III – Legislative Department
Article IV – Executive Department
Article V – Judicial Department
Article VI – Suffrage
Article VII – Education
Article VIII –Taxation and Revenue
Article IX – Counties
Article X – Railroads
Article XI – Municipal Corporations
Article XII – Private Corporations
Article XIII – Spanish & Mexican Land (repealed August, 1969)
Article XIV – Public Land and Land Office
Article XV – Impeachment
Article XVI – General Provisions
Article XVII – Mode of Amending the Constitution
Structure
U.S.
• 3 Branches:
– Executive
– Legislative
– Judicial
Texas
• 3 Branches:
– Executive
– Legislative
– Judicial
Executive
U.S.
• Head: President
– Serves a maximum of two 4year terms
– Must be 35 years old at least
– Has a Cabinet and powers to
appoint members and other
offices and judges
Texas
• Head: Governor
– Serves unlimited 4-year terms
– Must be 30 years old at least
• Plural Executive- Shares
power with other elected
offices
Legislative
U.S.
• Bicameral
• House of Representatives
– Serve 2 year terms
– Must be 25 years old at least
• Senate
– Serve 6 year terms
– Must be 30 years old at least
• Unlimited congressional
sessions
Texas
• Bicameral
• House of Representatives
– Serves 2 year terms
– Must be 21 years old at least
• Senate
– Serves 4 year terms
– Must be 26 years old at least
• Sessions are biennial (once
every 2 years)
Judicial
U.S.
• High Court: U.S. Supreme
Court
• Justices appointed by
President and approved by
the Senate
Texas
• 2 High Courts: Texas
Supreme Court for civil
cases and Texas Court of
Criminal Appeals for
criminal cases.
• Judges elected
Good and Bad Points of the 1876
Constitution…
Positive
• Weaker state government =
less chance of abuse of power
• Limits on taxing, spending, &
borrowing has helped to keep
spending under control, taxes
lower, and no state deficit.
• Stronger local government
makes it easier for citizens to
influence important decisions
affecting their daily lives – it’s
generally easier to influence
local government than state
government
Negative
• Constitution is inflexible and not
forward looking
• It has to be amended frequently
due to changing society -presently, there are more than 500
amendments.
• Constitution is too detailed -- it
should contain a basic framework
for government, leaving the
specifics to the legislature.
• U.S. Constitution is short. Texas
Constitution is very long.
• Because it is so specific, we have
to constantly amend it just to
allow the legislature to pass new
laws and programs