Introduction: The Texas State Constitution and the American Federal System
Overview
Introduction: The Texas State Constitution and the American Federal System
Learning Objective
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
- Explain the origin and development of the Texas State Constitution
Introduction
A constitution is a body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed. Another way of thinking about it is that a constitution outlines the structure of the government, defines the powers of the government, and enumerates limits on the government. When it comes to structure, this can include the creation of branches as well as how each branch is organized. For example, the Texas government has three branches in which the legislative branch is bicameral, the executive branch is plural, and the judicial branch is bifurcated.
As for powers, the legislature makes law, the executive enforces law, and the judicial branch adjudicates and interprets the law. Finally, limits on powers come in the form of the Bill of Rights. A bill of rights, sometimes called a declaration of rights or a charter of rights, is a list of the most important rights to the citizens. The purpose is to protect those rights against infringement from public officials and private citizens.
The Texas Bill of Rights outlines the limits on the powers of the government that would violate our rights.
What distinguishes Texas from other states is its unique history as an entity—a state, a republic, a nation—and the documents that actually created what became the Texas we know today.
This chapter discusses the development of Texas' constitutions, from the Constitution of 1876 through the current constitution
References and Further Reading
The Texas Bill of Rights. The Texas Constitution.
Licenses and Attributions
CC LICENSED CONTENT, ORIGINAL
Revision and Adaptation. Authored by: Kris S. Seago. License: CC BY: Attribution