The state of Texas : government, politics, and policy

Cover
The State of Texas: Government, Politics, and Policy
Brief Contents
Contents
About the Authors
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1 Introduction to Texas History and Politics
	The Six Flags of Texas: From Spain to Statehood
		Spain
		France, Briefly
		Spain Returns
		The Republic of Mexico
		The Republic of Texas
	Core Objective: Thinking Critically . . .
		The Twenty-Eighth State of the Union
		The Confederate State of Texas
	Civil War and Reconstruction: A Time of Transition
	Post-Reconstruction Texas
		Land
		The Texas Economy: From Agriculture to Oil to the Service Sector
	Core Objective: Communicating Effectively . . .
		Texas’s Economic Regions
		Texas Politics: From Democrat to Republican
	Core Objective: Taking Personal Responsibility . . .
		Demographics: The Road to Majority-Minority
			Urban and Rural
			Majority-Minority
			Religion in Texas
	Core Objective: Being Socially Responsible . . .
	Current Challenges: Texas Today
		The Recent Recession
		National Issues
			Income and Poverty
			Education
		Immigration and In-Migration Today
			In-Migration
			Immigration
	Texas Political Culture
		Types of Political Culture
		Social Conservatism, Classical Liberalism, Populism, and Progressivism
	Conclusion
	Summary
	Key Terms
	Notes
Chapter 2 The Texas State Constitution and the American Federal System
	Principles of Constitutional Government
	Characteristics Common to State Constitutions
		Separation of Powers
	Core Objective: Communicating Effectively . . .
		Bill of Rights
		Supreme Law of the State
	Evolution of the Texas Constitution: 1824–1876
		Constitutions under the Republic of Mexico
		The Republic of Texas Constitution of 1836
		Statehood Constitution of 1845
		The Civil War and Reconstruction Constitutions of 1861, 1866, and 1869
		The Constitution of 1876
	Core Objective: Thinking Critically . . .
	Culture Drives Institutions
	Important Sections of the Texas Constitution
		Article 1: Bill of Rights
		Article 2: The Powers of Government
		Article 3: Legislative Department
		Article 4: Executive Department
		Article 5: Judicial Department
		Additional Articles
	Comparing the Structure of State Constitutions
	Amending and Revising State Constitutions
		Patterns of Constitutional Change
		Amending the Texas Constitution
	Criticisms of the Texas Constitution
	Conclusion to the Texas Constitution
	The American Federal System of Government
		Constitutional Distribution of Powers
			Division of Powers between National and State Governments
			The “Necessary and Proper” Clause and the Tenth Amendment
			Interstate Commerce Clause
			Equal Protection and Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment
			Power to Tax and Spend to Promote the General Welfare of Citizens
	Core Objective: Being Socially Responsible . . .
		The Evolution of American Federalism
		Relations between States in the Federal System
	Core Objective: Taking Personal Responsibility . . .
	Conclusion
	Summary
	Key Terms
	Notes
Chapter 3 The Texas Legislature
	The Structure and Size of the Texas Legislature
	Core Objective: Communicating Effectively . . .
	General Characteristics of the Legislature
		Sessions and Session Length
		Salary
		Staff and Facilities
	Qualifications for Legislators and Member Demographics
	Single-Member Versus Multimember Districts
	Reapportionment and Redistricting Issues
		Equity of Representation
		Minority Representation
		Political and Racial Gerrymandering
	Core Objective: Being Socially Responsible . . .
		Redistricting in 2001
		2003 and the Texas Eleven
		Redistricting in 2011 and Beyond
	Getting Elected
		Competition for House and Senate Seats
	Core Objective: Thinking Critically . . .
		Term Limits
		Turnover in State Legislatures
	Leadership Positions in the Texas Legislature
		Speaker of the House
		Lieutenant Governor
	Committees in the House and Senate
	Core Objective: Taking Personal Responsibility . . .
	Functions
		Lawmaking
		Budget and Taxation
		Oversight
	Procedures
		Formal Rules: How a Bill Becomes a Law
		Major and Minor Calendars and Bills
		Legislative Workload and Logjams
		Informal Rules
	Legislative Roles
		Representational Roles
		Partisan Roles
	Legislative Professionalism versus Citizen Legislatures: Where Does Texas Stand?
	Conclusion
	Summary
	Key Terms
	Notes
Chapter 4 The Executive Department and the Office of the Governor of Texas
	Qualifications
		Formal Qualifications
		Informal Qualifications
			Race and Ethnicity
			Women
	Core Objective: Communicating Effectively . . .
		Wealth
		Salary
	Succession to Office and Acting Governor
		Postgubernatorial Office
	Removal from Office
	Formal Powers of the Governor
		Election of Other Statewide Executives
			Office of the Attorney General
			Comptroller of Public Accounts
	Core Objective: Being Socially Responsible . . .
		Commissioner of the General Land Office
		Commissioner of Agriculture
		The Texas Railroad Commission
		The State Board of Education
	Core Objective: Taking Personal Responsibility . . .
		Tenure of Office
		Governor’s Appointment Powers
			Secretary of State
			Commissioner for Health and Human Services
			Office of State-Federal Relations
			Adjutant General of the National Guard
			Other Single-Head Agencies
			Boards and Commissions
			Appointment and Campaign Contributions
			Removal Powers
		Budgetary Powers
		Legislative Powers
		Governor’s Control over Party
		Administrative Agencies of State Government
			State Employees
		Legislative Agencies
			Legislative Budget Board
			Texas Legislative Council
			Legislative Audit Committee and State Auditor’s Office
			Legislative Reference Library
		Judicial Agencies
		Judicial Powers
		Ex Officio Boards and Commissions
		Multi-Appointment Boards
		Democratic Control and Bureaucratic Responsiveness
		Sunset Review
		Powers of the Texas Governor in Comparative Context
	Core Objective: Thinking Critically . . .
	Informal Powers
		Roles
		The Governor’s Staff
	Conclusion
	Key Terms
	Summary
	Notes
Chapter 5 The Court System in Texas
	Court Decision Making
	Judicial Federalism
	The Structure of State Courts
		Trial and Appellate Courts
		Magistrate or Minor Courts
	Core Objective: Communicating Effectively . . .
		County Courts
		District Courts
		Appellate Courts
		Supreme Courts
	Judicial Selection
	Is There a Best System for Judicial Selection?
		Election by the Legislature
		Appointment by the Governor
		Partisan Election
		Nonpartisan Election
		The Merit, or Missouri, Plan
	Judicial Selection in Texas
	Core Objective: Being Socially Responsible . . .
		Familiar Names Can Skew Judicial Elections
		Straight Ticket Voting
		Campaign Contributions
		Gender and Minority Representation in the Texas Judiciary
	Core Objective: Thinking Critically . . .
	The “Appointive-Elective” System in Texas
	Removing and Disciplining Judges
	Core Objective: Taking Personal Responsibility . . .
	The Legal System
		Grand Jury
		Petit Jury
	Crime and Punishment in Texas
	Conclusion
	Summary
	Key Terms
	Notes
Chapter 6 Local Governments in Texas
	Federalism Revisited
	Creatures of the State
	General Law Cities and Home Rule
		Incorporation: The Process of Creating a City
		Annexation
	Types of City Government
		Council-Manager Government
			Role of the Mayor
			Role of the City Manager
			Weaknesses of the Council-Manager Form
		Mayor-Council Government
	Core Objective: Communicating Effectively . . .
		Commission Form of Government
			Weaknesses of the Commission Form of Government
			Impact on the Evolution of Local Government
	Municipal Elections
		At-Large Election Systems
		Single-Member District Election Systems
	Core Objective: Being Socially Responsible . . .
		Cumulative and Preferential Voting Systems
		Nonpartisan Elections
		Voter Turnout in Local Elections
	Core Objective: Taking Personal Responsibility . . .
	County Governments
		The Structure of County Government
			The County Commissioner’s Court
			The County Sheriff
			The County and District Attorneys
			The County Tax Assessor/Collector
			The County and District Clerk
			The County Treasurer
			The County Auditor
		Weaknesses of County Government in Texas
			Inability to Provide Urban Services
			Lack of Ordinance Authority
			Inequity of Financial Resources
		Possible Reform of County Government
	Core Objective: Thinking Critically . . .
	Special District Governments
		School Districts
	Conclusion
	Summary
	Key Terms
	Notes
Chapter 7 Voting and Political Participation in Texas
	Political Participation
	Core Objective: Taking Personal Responsibility . . .
	Voting in Texas
		Current Voting Requirements
		Ongoing Controversies with Voting
	Core Objective: Thinking Critically . . .
		In Comparison with Other States
		Voter Turnout in Texas
	Explaining Voter Turnout
		The Legacy of Restricted Ballot Access in Texas
		Social and Economic Factors
		Felony Conviction and Voting
	Core Objective: Being Socially Responsible . . .
		Party Competition
		Other Factors Affecting Voter Turnout
		Rationalist Explanations for Low Voter Turnout
	Core Objective: Communicating Effectively . . .
	Other Forms of Political Participation
	Conclusion
	Summary
	Key Terms
	Notes
Chapter 8 Campaigns and Elections in Texas
	Ballot Form
	Ballot Access to the November General Election
		Independent and Third-Party Candidates
	Core Objective: Thinking Critically . . .
		Party Caucus
	Political Differences between Open and Closed Primary Systems
	The Administration and Finance of Primary Elections
	Special Elections
	The Federal Voting Rights Act
	Core Objective: Communicating Effectively . . .
	Absentee and Early Voting
	The Changing Nature of Elections
	Campaigns
		The Role of the Media in Campaigns and Elections
	Core Objective: Being Socially Responsible . . .
		Political Consultants
		Money in Campaigns
	Core Objective: Taking Personal Responsibility . . .
		Impact of Citizens United Decision
	Conclusion
	Summary
	Key Terms
	Notes
Chapter 9  Political Parties in Texas
	How Parties Have Operated in the United States
		Labor-Intensive Politics
		Capital-Intensive Politics
	Political Reforms and the Weakening of Political Parties
	Core Objective: Communicating Effectively . . .
	Fifty States, Fifty Party Systems
	The Strength of State Party Organizations
	Core Objective: Taking Personal Responsibility . . .
	Evolution of Political Parties in Texas
		Politics of the Republic of Texas
		Annexation and the Civil War Era
		The One-Party Democratic Era in Texas
	Party Realignment in Texas
		The Beginning of Change
		The Election of John Tower
		The Election of Bill Clements
		The “Conversion” and Election of Phil Gramm
		The Move toward Parity with the Democrats
		The One-Party Republican Era in Texas
	The Current Party System in Texas
		An Update on the Republicans
		An Update on the Democrats
	Core Objective: Being Socially Responsible . . .
	Party Dealignment
	Third-Party Movements
	Core Objective: Thinking Critically . . .
	Party Organization in Texas
		Permanent Party Organization
			The Precinct Chair
			The County Chair
			The County Executive Committee
			The State Executive Committee
			The State Chair
		Temporary Party Organization
			Precinct Convention
			County or Senatorial District Convention
			State Convention
	Caucus and Primary Delegate Selection Systems
		Primary versus Caucus
		2008 Democratic Party Caucuses
	Conclusion
	Summary
	Key Terms
	Notes
Chapter 10 Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas
	Interest Group Typology
		Membership Organizations
	Core Objective: Thinking Critically . . .
		Nonmembership Organizations
		Government Organizations
	Techniques Used by Interest Groups
		Lobbying
	Core Objective: Taking Personal Responsibility . . .
		Electioneering
	Core Objective: Communicating Effectively . . .
		Public Relations: Public Education and Grassroots Lobbying
		Litigation
	Regulation of Interest Groups
	Factors Influencing the Strength of Interest Groups
		Leadership and Organization
		Geographic Distribution
	Core Objective: Being Socially Responsible . . .
		Money
		Economic Diversity
		Political Party Competition
		Professionalism of the State Legislature
		Fragmented Government Structure
	Conclusion
	Summary
	Key Terms
	Notes
Chapter 11 Public Policy in Texas
	Steps in the Policy-Making Process: The “Policy Cycle”
	Core Objective: Taking Personal Responsibility . . .
	Policy Liberalism Index
	Public Policy Areas in Texas State Government
		Regulatory Policy
		Welfare Policy
		Health Care Policy
		Primary and Secondary Education in Texas
			School District Financing
	Core Objective: Being Socially Responsible . . .
		High Stakes Test
		Controversial Curriculum
		Higher Education in Texas
			Tuition and Fees
			Curriculum and Degree Requirements
			Higher Education Funds
			Access to Higher Education
		Social Policy
			Firearms Policies
			Gay Rights
			Abortion Policies
	Core Objective: Communicating Effectively . . .
		Sex Education
		Immigration Policy
		Water Policy
	Core Objective: Thinking Critically . . .
		Veteran Policy
	Conclusion
	Summary
	Key Terms
	Notes
Chapter 12 The Criminal Justice System in Texas
	Elements of the Criminal Justice System
		Law Enforcement and Policing
		Criminal Law and Civil Law
	Core Objective: Communicating Effectively . . .
		Criminal Justice Policy
	Juvenile Justice
		Government’s Duties to Minors
		Procedures Involving Juveniles
	Core Objective: Taking Personal Responsibility . . .
	Correction and Rehabilitation
		The State Prison System
		Managing the Prison Population
	Core Objective: Being Socially Responsible . . .
		Private Prisons
		Local Government Jails
		The “Three R’s”: Recidivism, Rehabilitation, and Reform
		The Death Penalty
		Texas, the Death Penalty, and the Harris County Factor
		Poverty and Access to Legal Services
	Problems and Reform: Implications for Public Policy
		Overcriminalization
		Sentencing Reform
		Police Militarization
		Civil Asset Forfeiture
		Mental Illness in Prison
		Fine and Fee Practices
		Suicide
		Technology and Crime
		Exoneration
		Race, Gender, and the Criminal Justice System
		Misconduct in the Justice System
	Core Objective: Thinking Critically . . .
	Conclusion
	Summary
	Key Terms
	Notes
Chapter 13 Financing State Government
	Why Do Governments Provide Services to Citizens?
		Characteristics of Public Goods
		Types of Public Goods
			Social Goods
			Toll Goods
			Common-Pool Goods
	Core Objective: Thinking Critically . . .
	Sources of State Revenue
		Per Capita Taxes
		State Taxes in Texas
	Equity in Taxes
		Regressive and Progressive Taxes
		Tax Shifting
	Core Objective: Being Socially Responsible . . .
	Local Taxes
		Comparison of State and Local Tax Revenues
	Nontax Revenue Sources
		The Budget “Fix”
	Core Objective: Communicating Effectively . . .
	Expenditures: Where the Money Goes
	Continuing Issues in State Finance in Texas
		Tax Structure
		Is There a Personal Income Tax in the Future for Texas?
	Core Objective: Taking Personal Responsibility . . .
	Conclusion
	Summary
	Key Terms
	Notes
Glossary
Index