Texas Politics and Government : Continuity and Change

by Keith, Gary; Haag, Stefan

• ISBN13: 9780321366429
• ISBN10: 0321366425
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-01-01
• Publisher: Longman

Summary

A new four color Texas politics text that provides accessible and comprehensive coverage of Texas politics and government, utilizing a historical perspective. A spin-off from the popular Texas chapters in the O'Connor/Sabato/Haag/Keith, American Government: Continuity and Change, 2006 Texas Edition, this new, four-color book by a bestselling author team examines the unique character of Texas politics and government and traces how it has changed or remained constant over its history. The authors argue that, in order to understand Texas today, we must understand how it has evolved over time. In addition, the authors provide numerous boxed features designed to engage students in debates over key political issues, in critical thinking, and in the current and historical political climate of their state.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
Analyzing Visuals: A Brief Guide	xv
Ideas, People, and Economics in Texas Politics	2	(30)
The Roots of Texas Politics and Government	5	(9)
Native Americans	5	(2)
Hispanics	7	(1)
African Americans	8	(2)
Asian Americans	10	(1)
Anglos	10	(1)
The Contemporary Population of Texas	11	(2)
Analyzing Visuals Population Trends in Texas	13	(1)
The Ideological Context	14	(10)
The Texan Creed	14	(3)
Roots of Government The Heroes of the Alamo	17	(3)
Politics Now The Texas Mystique	20	(1)
Political Ideologies in Texas	21	(1)
On Campus The Civics Education Requirement in Texas Colleges and Universities	22	(2)
The Economy of Texas	24	(4)
Cotton	24	(1)
Cattle	25	(1)
Petroleum	25	(1)
The Contemporary Economy	26	(1)
Texas in Comparison The Socio-economic Context in the States	27	(1)
Join the Debate Should Texas Adopt an Income Tax?	28	(1)
Wealth and Poverty in Texas	28	(4)
Analyzing Visuals Share of Income in Texas	30	(2)
Constitutionalism	32	(24)
The Roots of the Texas Constitution	34	(3)
The 1836 Texas Constitution	34	(1)
The 1845 Texas Constitution	35	(1)
The 1861 Texas Constitution	35	(1)
The 1866 Texas Constitution	36	(1)
The 1869 Texas Constitution	37	(1)
The Current Texas Constitution	37	(9)
Reasons for the 1876 Constitution	38	(1)
Roots of Government Governor E. J. Davis and the Establishment of an Activist Government	39	(1)
Structure of the 1876 Constitution	40	(2)
The Living Constitution	42	(1)
Analyzing Visuals Voter Turnout for Constitutional Amendments	43	(1)
Analyzing Visuals Amendments to the Texas Constitution	44	(1)
Consequences and Dilemmas of a Statutory Constitution	45	(1)
Texas in Comparison State Constitutions	46	(1)
Revising the Texas Constitution	46	(10)
Piecemeal Revision Efforts	46	(1)
On Campus Angelo State University Students' Texas Constitution	47	(1)
Comprehensive Revision Efforts	48	(1)
Politics Now The Texas Sodomy Law	49	(5)
Join the Debate Should Texas Adopt the Initiative Process?	54	(2)
Voting and Participating: Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Elections	56	(38)
The Roots of Political Parties, Interest Groups, Elections, and Campaigns in Texas	59	(2)
Roots of Government The Populist Challenge to Democratic Party Dominance	60	(1)
Political Parties in Texas	61	(12)
Party Organization	61	(1)
The Living Constitution The Qualifications to Vote in Texas	62	(2)
Functional Organization	64	(3)
Texas in Comparison Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Elections in the States	67	(1)
Party in the Electorate	67	(2)
Analyzing Visuals Party Identification in Texas, Selected Years 1952--2003	69	(1)
The Party in Government	70	(3)
Interest Groups in Texas	73	(6)
Types of Interest Groups	73	(1)
Political Activities of Interest Groups	74	(4)
Politics Now The Campaign to Limit Medical Liability	78	(1)
Elections and Political Campaigns in Texas	79	(15)
Types of Elections	79	(2)
Political Campaigns in Texas	81	(2)
On Campus Blogging at burntorange.com	83	(2)
The Voters' Decisions	85	(1)
Join the Debate Are Electronic Voting Systems Better Than Paper Ballots?	86	(3)
Analyzing Visuals Voter Turnout in Texas, 1958-2004	89	(5)
The Legislative Branch	94	(36)
The Roots of the Legislative Branch	97	(2)
Roots of Government Rotten Boroughs in Texas	98	(1)
The State Constitution and the Legislative Branch of Government	99	(2)
Constitutional Provisions Affecting Legislators	100	(1)
Sessions of the Legislature	100	(1)
Texas in Comparison Legislatures in the United States	101	(1)
Legislative Membership: Representing the Public	101	(8)
Variables Affecting Members' Elections	101	(2)
The Living Constitution The Basis for Representation in the Texas Senate	103	(1)
Personal and Political Characteristics of Members	104	(3)
Analyzing Visuals Ideological Voting Patterns in the Texas House of Representatives	107	(1)
On Campus Young Conservatives of Texas	108	(1)
How the Texas Legislature Is Organized	109	(7)
Leaders	109	(1)
Committees	109	(1)
Organizing for Power and Influence in the Legislature	110	(1)
Leadership and Opposition in the House	111	(2)
Politics Now The Rise of Partisanship in the Texas House	113	(2)
Leadership and Opposition in the Senate	115	(1)
The Law-Making and Budgeting Function of the Legislature	116	(8)
What Is a Bill? What Is a Resolution?	117	(1)
Rules, Procedures, and Internal Government	117	(1)
How a Bill Becomes Law	117	(1)
Analyzing Visuals Basic Steps in the Texas Legislative Process	118	(3)
Two Bills into One: The Final Stages	121	(1)
Join the Debate Are Charter Schools a Good Alternative for Texas Students?	122	(1)
The Budgeting Process	122	(2)
How Legislators Make Decisions	124	(3)
Growth of Legislative Staff	125	(1)
Staffing for Technical Assistance, Specialized Information, and Political Assistance	125	(1)
Relations with Lobbyists	126	(1)
The Ethics of Lobbying	126	(1)
The Legislature and the Governor	127	(3)
The Governor and Executive Branch	130	(40)
The Roots of the Executive in Texas	133	(2)
From President of the Lone Star Republic to Governor of Texas	133	(1)
Terms of Office	134	(1)
The Constitutional Roles of the Governor	135	(2)
The Development of Gubernatorial Power	137	(5)
Characteristics of Gubernatorial Power	137	(1)
Restriction of Governors' Powers	137	(1)
Comparing the Texas Governor with Other Governors	138	(1)
Texas in Comparison Governors and the Executive Branch	138	(1)
The Governor's Power to Appoint Executive Officials	139	(2)
Analyzing Visuals Analysis of Gubernatorial Appointments	141	(1)
The Power of Staff and Budget	142	(1)
The Governor as Policy Maker and Political Leader	142	(5)
Analyzing Visuals Ideology and Governors	143	(1)
Public-Opinion Leadership	143	(1)
Relationship with the Legislature	144	(2)
The Living Constitution The Texas Governor's Veto Power	146	(1)
The Plural Executive in Texas	147	(9)
Attorney General	148	(1)
Roots of Government Struggles over Cabinet Government	149	(1)
Comptroller of Public Accounts	150	(1)
Land Commissioner	151	(1)
Agriculture Commissioner	152	(1)
Railroad Commissioners	152	(2)
State Board of Education	154	(1)
On Campus The Deregulation of Texas Public College and University Tuition	155	(1)
Modern Texas Bureaucracy	156	(6)
Secretary of State	158	(1)
Public Utility Commissioners	158	(1)
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality	159	(1)
Insurance Commissioner	160	(1)
Health and Human Services Commission	160	(1)
Public Counsels	161	(1)
Boards and Commissions	162	(1)
Making Agencies Accountable	162	(8)
The Sunset Process	162	(1)
Staff Size and Pay	163	(1)
Join the Debate Should Texas Lock the Revolving Door?	164	(1)
Regulating the Revolving Door	164	(2)
Politics Now The Texas Railroad Commission: Watchdog or Lapdog?	166	(1)
Regulating the Relationship Between Agencies and Private Interests	167	(3)
The Judicial Branch	170	(28)
The Roots of the Texas Judiciary	172	(2)
Roots of Government Judge Roy Bean: The Law West of the Pecos	173	(1)
The Structure of the Texas Judiciary	174	(6)
Local Trial Courts	174	(2)
County Courts	176	(1)
On Campus Driving While Intoxicated in Texas	177	(1)
District Courts	178	(1)
Intermediate Courts of Appeal	178	(1)
The Supreme Courts	178	(2)
Judges and Judicial Selection	180	(5)
Judicial Qualifications and Personal Characteristics	181	(1)
Judicial Selection	182	(2)
Politics Now Stoking the Fires for Judicial Campaign Finance Reform	184	(1)
Criticisms of the Texas Judicial Branch	185	(6)
Reforming the Court Structure	185	(1)
Join the Debate Should Texas Elect Its Judges?	186	(1)
Reforming Judicial Selection	186	(2)
Reforming Campaign Finance	188	(1)
Increasing Minority Representation on the Bench	188	(1)
The Living Constitution The Texas Supreme Courts	189	(1)
Analyzing Visuals Is Justice for Sale in the State of Texas?	190	(1)
The Judicial Process in Texas	191	(7)
The Criminal Justice Process	191	(2)
Texas in Comparison Crime, Courts, and Judges	193	(1)
The Civil Justice Process	194	(1)
Analyzing Visuals United States and Texas Executions	195	(3)
Local Governments	198	(28)
The Roots of Local Government in Texas	200	(4)
Roots of Government Home Rule Comes to Texas Cities	202	(1)
The Living Constitution Structure and Powers of County Government in Texas	203	(1)
Counties	204	(6)
Structure of County Government	204	(1)
Analyzing Visuals Texas Counties and Population	205	(3)
Authority of County Governments	208	(1)
Texas in Comparison Local Government in the States	209	(1)
Finances of County Governments	209	(1)
Cities	210	(10)
Forms of City Governments	211	(1)
Analyzing Visuals Type of Government and Election Systems in Texas's Top Ten Cities	212	(3)
Authority and Functions of City Governments	215	(1)
Finances of City Governments	215	(1)
Join the Debate Should Texas Cities Be Allowed to Photograph Red-Light Runners?	216	(1)
Municipal Annexation	216	(2)
Politics and Representation in City Governments	218	(2)
Special Districts	220	(6)
Water Districts	220	(1)
On Campus Getting Students Involved in Political Campaigns	221	(1)
School Districts	222	(1)
Politics Now Slow Roads, Toll Roads, or No Roads	223	(3)
Public Policy in Texas	226	(39)
The Roots of Public Policy in Texas	228	(1)
Public Policy Process, Actors, and Outcomes	229	(3)
Policy Process	229	(1)
Texas in Comparison Social and Economic Demographics	230	(1)
Policy Actors	231	(1)
Policy Outcomes	231	(1)
State Finance	232	(12)
Budgeting and Borrowing	233	(2)
Revenue	235	(1)
The Living Constitution A Constitutional Cap on Welfare Spending	236	(6)
Analyzing Visuals Tax Incidence in Texas	242	(1)
Spending	243	(1)
Public Education and Higher Education Policy	244	(9)
Public Education: Fulfilling Our Constitutional Mandate	244	(1)
Roots of Government Establishment and Disestablishment of Public Education in Texas	245	(4)
Analyzing Visuals Public School Finance	249	(1)
Educational Quality	250	(1)
Higher Education: From Community Colleges to Universities	250	(2)
On Campus The Texas Top 10 Percent Law	252	(1)
Health and Human Services Policy	253	(6)
The Federal-State Partnership	253	(2)
Assistance for Food, Shelter, Clothing, and Protection	255	(1)
Health Care	255	(1)
Join the Debate Privatizing Public Assistance	256	(2)
Politics Now Scott McCown and Child Protective Services	258	(1)
The Adequacy of Health and Human Service Programs in Texas	259	(1)
Transportation Policy	259	(6)
Glossary	265	(4)
Notes	269	(12)
Index	281