The Texas Constitution
Chapter 21
O’Connor and Sabato
American Government: Continuity and Change
The Texas Constitution
In this chapter we will cover…
1. Roots of the Texas Constitution
2. Current Texas Constitution
3. Constitutional Revision
Roots of the Texas Constitution Constitutions of
1836 Republic of
1845 State of
1861 Confederacy
1866 Union again
1876 Post Reconstruction
Current Texas Constitution
Shaped by Reconstruction Convention of 1875 - Delegates (number,
demographics, and interests) Constitution of 1876 – restrictive Separation of powers Dedicated funds Education Amending
Type of Election, Voter Turnout, and Constitutional Amendment Adoption
Amendments to the Texas Constitution, 1877-2002
Current Constitution
Has seventeen numbered articles Restrictive – quite detailed in describing the
structure and powers of government Several articles dealing with local
government The constitution limits legislature in enacting
fiscal policies (taxing/spending) Requires a balanced budget
Current Constitution
Dedicated funds require that certain tax monies be deposited in particular funds
Dedicated funds can only be used for specific purposes e.g., portion of state gasoline tax to Highway Trust Fund
1876 Constitution always establishes one method of amendment- including proposed by two-thirds of both Houses and voter approval by simple majority
Criticism of Today’s Constitution Too many amendments Too long Too limiting
Constitutional Revision
Two methods of revision
1. Piecemeal through series of amendments
2. Comprehensive through adoption of a new constitution
Piecemeal
Constitution has been amendment often- beginning soon after adoption
Many piecemeal changes resulted from comprehensive reform efforts
League of Women Voters and the Citizens Advisory Committee
Many Texans favor rewriting state Constitution
Comprehensive Revision Efforts First calls for comprehensive revision - 1877 Between 1991-1949 legislature regularly
considered constitutional reform Constitutional Revision Commission 1974 Why did it fail? 1999 efforts – including stronger chief
executive powers - also failed