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