Throughout the 171 years of Texas’ statehood, it has ran under a numerous amount of Constitutions (Braden 1). The Texas constitution is among the longest of state constitutions in the United States. The constitution had been amended 483 times since its adoption in 1876 (Braden 1). Amending the constitution is a lengthy process and even led to efforts of a constitutional reform during the 1970’s, which in the end had failed. The present constitution is often amended due to the fact that the longer and more detailed a state constitution is, the more frequently it is amended. The process of amending the Texas constitution may begin during a “regular or special session of the legislature, and an absolute two-thirds majority” (Newell, Prindle. Riddlesperger, Donovan, Mooney, and Smith 56) This means that one hundred House members and twenty-one Senate members must vote for the suggested changes. However, the governor cannot veto an amendment. Legislature is also very adamant on having the public have knowledge on said amendment. They …show more content…
Having a constitution that has a broad language provides the government with flexibility to handle various situations is the most advantageous. To be a beneficial state, Texas needs to have a government ran by intelligent leaders to have good governance. The constitution should be used as a guideline in order to benefit the nation and American people all the while preserving liberties as best they can. A government under a constitution needs to be broad and flexible in order for politicians to handle the changing circumstances over a period of time (“The Constitution Is Living and Broad in Interpretation” 1). Alexander Hamilton said it best, “Constitutions should consist only of general provisions; the reason is that they must necessarily be permanent, and that they cannot calculate for the possible change of things” (Hamilton
Texas is a prime example of the state constitutions in general. Ever since the integration
The economy of Texas it’s no longer based on farms and ranches, but on the industry, finance, shipping, energy, etc. (67). All this explains why the constitution it’s now outdated and doesn’t connect with current Texas. In conclusion, Texas constitution has both strengths and weakness, but it feels that the weakness outshines the strengths. The main problem is that it does not represent Texas anymore, so the rights given by the constitution and the limited government feel useless against this fact.
In the Texas Constitution it talks about information that just deals with Texas alone, that the U.S. Constitution doesn't have. For one, it talks about Education. Explaining how it shall be the duty of the Legislature of the state to establish and make suitable provisions for the support and maintenance of an efficient system of public free schools. The Texas Constitution also includes information about corporations, municipal and private. It has the Spanish and Mexican Land titles under it which no other state has in their constitution. And finally the Texas Constitution establishes rules concerning railroads.
Texas is a unique place with a colorful history of legendary cowboys and tall tales. The state stretches over the middle section of the southern United States. Texas has experienced shifts in governmental control within the United States. French, Spanish, Mexican, and Confederacy, and all having once been in charge, not to mention the time Texas spent as an independent republic. Texas has had many battles and wars within its borders, resulting in seven different constitutions within a span of fifty years between each document.
Constitutions are a necessary tool in keeping a Nation running in a smooth manner. One is also necessary in keeping the components, which are states, running in an ordered way. The constitution of Texas has a long historical trail from 1827 to 1876 and there are many events that occurred during this time period. The current Texas constitution has many strengths and weaknesses and there have been revisions made to this document. This document limits the way government can be involved in certain problems that arise in Texas. The Texas constitution is a document with positives and negatives but it is definitely a necessity.
The Texas Constitution has many weaknesses, but has many strengths to correlate to such weaknesses. These drawbacks include the excessive length, the specificity of directly addressed policy problems, and the difficulty amending the Constitution. However, the Texas Constitution reserves additional rights to citizens and reflects the idea of preserving a limited federal government.
Texas and California are two states in the US that are comparable in terms of their population, resources, size, economy and constitution. The Texas Constitution is the foundation of the statehood of Texas within which the government operates in the same way that U.S. constitution governs the affairs of the whole country with its allocated power. The Texas constitution has a huge influence on the daily lives of Texans Possibly even more than the U.S. Constitution. Although all states have its own constitution, Texas and California have different ways in which they gained their constitution. Like most state in the U.S. The state of California gained its constitution after the civil war, the constitution was ratified in 1879 and It is similar to the Texas constitution in many ways. Both constitutions are founded on the unanimous vote of its people and are grounded by the rule of
The Constitution of 1876 is the constitution by which Texas lives by. Even after its 467 amendments, the Texas Constitution is still similar to the original document from 1876. The purpose of the constitution was because Texas wanted to have protection for various private interests. The people of Texas were motivated to limit the powers of state government and wanted to be sure they would avoid the abuse of government powers they once witnessed during the Reconstruction phase. The constitution has had some influences. Going back to when Texas was governed by Spain and then by Mexico, we still have sections in the constitution that deals with land titles and land law, debtor relief, judicial procedures, marital relations and adoptions, and water and mineral rights. Back in 1827, the constitution of the state of Coahuila y Tejas had provided a unicameral legislature but didn’t have a bill of rights. Texas at the time did not adopt the required Catholicism into their constitution, although they added to recognize slavery. In 1836 when Texas became independent it adopted the Republic Constitution of 1836. Texas then established a unitary form of government, freedom of religion, property rights protection, and legal recognition of slavery. When Texas became a state it reflected on traditionalistic southern culture. It
The amendments can be ratified by a simple majority of the people. Every 20 years, the people of the state are asked if a constitutional convention needs to be called to amend the constitution. A convention is called if majority of the people vote on having a convention. The Texas Constitution can be amended if two-thirds of members in both houses of the state legislature propose it, and the majority of the people vote on it in an election. Just like the Constitution of Maryland, the Texas amendments can be ratified by a simple majority of the people. Unlike Maryland, Texas is one of the six states that do not hold constitutional conventions
Texas calling on Congress to convene a convention of states to amend the U.S. Constitution and wrest power from the federal government. Abbott and other supporters of the effort contend that the states must rein in a federal government that has run amok. They want amendments that would restrict federal spending, limit federal power and enact term limits on federal officials and members of Congress.
The Texas Constitution has evolved in many ways throughout history. Before the current constitution there were five predecessors. There were many factors that effected each of the five constitutions. After very long governance by Spain and Mexico and a small war with Mexico, the Texans finally won their independence. The first constitution had become official in September of 1836. This first constitution was called the Republic Of Texas Constitution. After struggling for about nine years to become apart of the Union, Texas’s second constitution was created. The Second constitution was called the Statehood Constitution and was thought to be one of the best constitutions of time. The Jacksonian Democracy greatly influenced the Statehood Constitution. The idea of the Jacksonian Democracy was to increase the people’s participation in the government. This Constitution lasted about 16 years until Texas joined the Confederate Sates of America in 1861. This third constitution was called the Civil War Constitution. The main goal was to modify the
The Texas Constitution was amended in 1993, during Governor William P. Clements’ second administration, to prohibit a state income tax. Therefore, any such proposal would have serious difficulties passing both chambers of the legislature and then it would be subject to ratification through a statewide referendum. Texas’ lack of a state income tax seems to have enhanced its economy vitality with this approach. It also lacks a corporate income tax, which is not prohibited by the Constitution. Texas is one of seven
In my analysis of the Texas Constitution I will assess the three branches of our State Government, the Legislative Branch, Executive Branch and finally the Judicial Branch. Our State Government resembles our National Government in various ways but also in very different ways which we will review in this essay. I will identify a handful of criticisms and problems associated with the provisions in each of these branches of our State Government and identify suggested reforms that many feel are needed.
The constitution mandates the legislators to hold biennial sessions; however, the governor also has the constitutional power to call for special or emergency sessions. Accordingly, the constitution empowers the legislators to amend the constitution, set policies, and also manage all state run institutional affairs. As mentioned in the first question, the constitution empowers the legislators to conduction processes such as legislative oversight and constituent functions, which are necessary whenever it comes to the implementation of government policies and programs. In a nutshell, the constitution of Texas simply provides a means for the legislators to follow the law especially when it comes to performing critical functions of the
There has 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 examples of how restricted and limited our constitution is.