The Constitution Of The State Of Texas - 845 Words

The Constitution of the State of Texas is the document representing the structure and function of the Texas government. The current Constitution took effect on February 15, 1876 and is the sixth Constitution in the history of Texas. When first constructed, the Texas Constitution was a poorly organized document that did not explain clearly the responsibility for government actions. Since its conception (through June 2011), there have been 646 proposed amendments and 476 adopted amendments added to this document. The Texas Constitution is also highly restrictive; it only grants enumerated powers to the State of Texas and does not allow for implied powers. The constant change to this Constitution has added to its poor organized condition that is extremely difficult to understand, even by the courts. The amendment process for the Texas Constitution is basic in that, there is only one way to propose and ratify an amendment. A two-thirds majority vote of both the Houses is required to pro pose an amendment and ratification is executed through a statewide public vote. Once an amendment s proposed, the legislature sets a date for the election of the proposed amendment. . Before the election takes place, it is mandated that at least three months out from the vote all counties in Texas must publish the proposed amendment once a week for four weeks in a newspaper. Once it is time to vote, general elections are used (whenever possible) throughout the state to avoid the expense ofShow MoreRelatedThe State Of The Texas Constitution1241 Words   |  5 Pages The Texas constitution is one of the oldest constitutions which was initially adopted in 1876. Since the adoption of the Texas Constitution, the Legislature has proposed 662 amendments. Out of these amendments, the electorate has approved 483 while the voters majority has defeated 179. From the many modifications and many more proposals pending or that are yet to come, it is evident that the Texas Constitution is no t a perfect one as many other constitutions of individual states. As arguedRead MoreThe State Of The Texas Constitution900 Words   |  4 Pageshas been seven Texas Constitutions since 1827 including our current Constitution, which was established on 1876. Our current constitution has been amended hundreds of times because of its tight restrictions. The Legislative department is the dominant branch of the Texas Constitution it is subject to check and balances in the tripartite system. The Executive department limits the government’s power, and the judicial powers is divided into smaller courts. These three branches of the Texas are examplesRead MoreThe United States Constitution And Texas Constitution908 Words   |  4 PagesThe United States Constitution and Texas Constitution are similar, but not indistinguishable. The constitution was made to prevent tyranny in the states from the idea of the Federalists who wanted to build a strong form of government that gave people ri ghts without giving their representatives too much power. Additionally, both constitutions form a bicameral form of government, a House of Representatives, and a Senate. The Federalists wanted a strong central government to help the economic and socialRead MoreThe Politics Of The 1876 Texas State Constitution Essay1135 Words   |  5 Pages The 1876 Texas State constitution is the basic framework of today’s legislature it consists of three branches the legislative branch which is comprised of the house and senate, and the executive and judiciary branch. In the following paragraphs we will discuss the Texas legislature’s major responsibilities relative to checks and balances. The Texas legislature is the dominant branch of state government within the state constitutional framework of separation of powers. â€Å"Under the Tenth AmendmentRead MoreThe First Constitution of the Republic of Texas (1836)902 Words   |  4 PagesThe first constitution of Texas adopted on March 1, 1836 opens with these words, â€Å"We, the people of Texas, in order to form a Government, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense and general welfare; and to secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves, and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution†. (â€Å"Constitution of Republic of Texas† pp. 9-25.) Created in 1836, the first Constitution of the Republic of Texas was born. Fearful of attack byRead MoreRaul E. Quesada. Professor Kennedy. Texas Government. 261718 Words   |  7 PagesQuesada Professor Kennedy Texas Government 26 February 2017 Word Count: 1718 The Texas Constitution A constitution is consisted of four major functions that apply to constitutions all around the United States. Separation of powers is one of the major functions which is the formality of the three branches of government. The three branches of government are the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. Each have their own appliance to the constitutions of the vast United States, and each have theirRead MoreA Discussion Of Constitutional Law And Its Relationship With Education1031 Words   |  5 Pagesin the United States Constitution, but instead, education is one of the powers reserved to the states. Power not specifically given to the federal government is reserved for the states through the Tenth Amendment of the Unites States Constitution. Therefore, states have plenary, or absolute, power in the area of education. While states may hold this reserved power, with regard to education the federal government has found power through mandates that must be met in order for states to receive federalRead MoreConstitutions Are More Than Fancy Looking Words On An Old Sheet Of Paper1477 Words   |  6 PagesConstitutions are more than fancy-looking words on an old sheet of paper; they are the foundation of all successful nations. The job of a constitution is to legitimize, organize, provide power to, and limit the power of government (Newell et al. 40-42). The United States itself and all of its states have constitutions, including Texas, that aim to meet those needs. The Texas Constitution, written in 1876, is the second longest state constitution in the nation (Texas GOVT 2306- Week 3 Texas Constitution)Read MoreThe Constitution Of The Texas Constitution948 Words   |  4 Pagesbetter, in the case of the Texas Constitution having the second longest state Constitution and the fourth most amended Constitution in the United States, makes it a difficult and complicated document. The Texas Constitution has been rewritten a total of six times since becoming independent from Mexico. The most recent being the Constitution of 1876, which is excessively detailed and exact due to the framers fear of a strong state government. The framers of the constitution placed strategically in theRead MoreThe Main Functions Of A State s Constitution1045 Words   |  5 PagesThe constitution is a written document by which the state is run or operated. It is extremely significant as it sets the foundation and provides the fundamental instructions on how the local gove rnment and the people ought to function. The four functions of a state’s constitution is to state where the power of political institutions originate from, assign powers, construct a system where checks and balance is put in place within the government, and sets the limits of political power. To sum it up