Texas State Government Executive and Legislative Branches State
Texas State Government Executive and Legislative Branches
State Programs • • Economic development Criminal justice and public safety Health & human services Public and higher education Transportation Energy & Environment Government organization
83 rd Texas Legislature
Texas Legislature • House of Representative and Senate • Meets every odd year for 140 days from January-May (in regular session) • Republicans currently hold majorities in both houses • Typical member is white, male, businessman or attorney • Annual salary is $7, 200 plus per diem
House of Representatives • 150 members • Speaker presides • Elected for 2 year terms
Representative John Raney • Represents Bryan and College Station
Rep. Kyle Kacal • Represents Wellborn east to Pebble Creek and rural areas north of Brazos County
Texas State Senate • 31 Members • Lt. Gov. presides • Elected for 4 year terms
Texas Senate Districts
State Sen. Charles Schwertner • Represents Brazos and surrounding counties in the Texas Senate
What bills might you author, support, or oppose? • Whose interests would you support? • How would you balance the interests of lobbyists and those of your constituents? • Would you be willing to raise taxes in order to provide needed state programs and services? In what areas? • Do you think Texas would be better served by more or less regulation? Of what?
Plural Executives • The Texas Constitution divides executive authority among several offices • No one official can exercise too much power • Are elected statewide
Texas Plural Executives • Governor • Lt. Governor • Attorney General
Governor Rick Perry • State’s chief executive officer • Sends biennial budget to legislature • Appoints members to state agencies & commissions • Calls legislature into special sessions • Can line-item veto
Lt. Governor David Dewhurst • Presides over the Texas Senate • Assigns bills to committees • Next in line to be governor
Attorney General Greg Abbott • Enforces consumer protection and child welfare laws • Advises on constitutionality of state govt. actions • Represents Texas before U. S. Supreme Court
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