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Copyright, iv
Preface, xi
Analyzing Visuals, xvi
Chapter 1. Ideas, People, and Economics in Texas Politics, 2
Roots of Texas Politics and Government, 5
Native Americans, 6
Hispanics, 8
African Americans, 9
Asian Americans, 10
Anglos, 11
The Contemporary Population of Texas, 11
Analyzing Visuals: Texas Population Projections, 2010–2040, 13
The Ideological Context, 14
The Texan Creed, 14
Individualism, 14
Politics Now: Health Insurance in Texas, 15
Liberty, 17
Constitutionalism and Democracy, 18
Equality, 18
The Living Constitution: Article 1, Section 3A, Texas Equal Rights Amendment, 19
Political Ideologies in Texas, 20
Ideas into Action: Students Protest an Immigration Policy, 21
Libertarians, 21
Populists, 22
Conservatives, 23
Liberals, 23
The Economy of Texas, 24
Cotton, 24
Cattle, 24
Petroleum, 25
The Contemporary Economy, 25
Join the Debate: How Should Texas Educate Students of Limited English Proficiency?, 26
Wealth and Poverty in Texas, 28
Toward Reform: Political Culture and Welfare Reform, 29
Chapter 2. Constitutionalism, 32
Timeline: Texas’s Constitutions, 34
Roots of the Texas Constitution, 35
The 1836 Texas Constitution, 35
The 1845 Texas Constitution, 36
The 1861 Texas Constitution, 37
The 1866 Texas Constitution, 37
The 1869 Texas Constitution, 38
The Current Texas Constitution, 39
Reasons for the 1876 Constitution, 40
Provisions of the 1876 Constitution, 41
The Living Constitution: Article 7, Section 1, 43
Politics Now: Wimberly ISD and School Finance, 45
Analyzing Visuals: Constitutional Amendments and Voter Turnout, 46
Criticisms of the 1876 Constitution, 46
Constitutional Revision, 48
Piecemeal Revision Efforts, 49
Ideas into Action: Grassroots Engagement in the Amendment Process, 50
Comprehensive Revision Efforts, 50
The 1974 Constitutional Convention, 51
The 1975 Constitutional Amendments, 53
The 1999 Constitutional Revision Effort, 54
Toward Reform: The Marriage Amendment, 55
Join the Debate: Should Texas Adopt the Initiative Process?, 56
Chapter 3. Voting and Participating: Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Elections, 60
Roots of Political Parties, Interest Groups, Elections, and Campaigns in Texas, 63
Political Parties in Texas, 64
Party Organization, 64
Formal Organization, 64
Functional Organization, 67
Democratic Party Unity, 67
Republican Party Unity, 68
Party Effectiveness: What’s at Stake?, 68
Party in the Electorate, 70
Distribution of Party Attachments, 70
Party Realignment in Texas, 71
Contemporary Party Coalitions, 72
The Party in Government, 72
In the Executive Branch, 73
In the Legislative Branch, 74
In the Judicial Branch, 75
Interest Groups in Texas, 75
Types of Interest Groups, 75
Business Groups and Trade Associations, 75
Professional Associations, 75
Labor Groups, 76
Racial and Ethnic Groups, 76
Public-Interest Groups, 76
Political Activities of Interest Groups, 76
Lobbying, 76
Electioneering, 79
Politics Now: Hefty Gift to Bailey has Craddick Ties, 80
Litigation, 81
Elections and Political Campaigns in Texas, 81
Types of Elections, 81
Primary Elections, 81
Special Elections, 82
General Elections, 82
Local Elections, 83
Political Campaigns in Texas, 83
Money: The Mother’s Milk of Politics, 83
Media: Linking the Candidates and the Voters, 84
Marketing: Selling the Candidate, 84
Ideas into Action: Blogging on Texas Politics, 85
Timeline: Voting Requirements in Texas, 86
The Voters’ Decisions, 86
Voter Turnout, 86
The Living Constitution: Article 6, Section 1, 88
Join the Debate: Are Electronic Voting Systems Better Than Paper Ballots?, 90
The Vote Choice: Parties, Issues, and Candidates, 92
Analyzing Visuals: Voter Turnout in Texas, 93
Toward Reform: Recent Reforms in Elections and Campaigns, 95
Chapter 4. The Legislative Branch, 98
Roots of the Legislative Branch, 101
The State Constitution and the Legislative Branch of Government, 102
The Living Constitution: Article 3, Section 25, 103
Constitutional Provisions Affecting Legislators, 104
Length of Terms, 104
Temporary Acting Legislators, 104
Compensation, 104
Sessions of the Legislature, 105
Timeline: Redistricting and the Texas Legislature, 106
Who Are the Members of the Legislature and How Do They Represent the Public?, 106
Variables Affecting Members’ Elections, 106
Redistricting, 107
Reelection Rates and Turnover of Membership, 109
Join the Debate: Would Nonpartisan Redistricting Produce Better (or Different) Results?, 110
Personal and Political Characteristics of Members, 110
Occupation, Education, and Religion, 111
Gender, Race, and Age, 113
Political Party, 113
Ideology, 114
Ideology and Partisanship, 114
Analyzing Visuals: Ideological Voting Patterns in the Texas House of Representatives, 115
How Is the Texas Legislature Organized?, 116
Leaders, 116
Committees, 117
Organizing for Power and Influence in the Legislature, 118
Leadership and Opposition in the House, 119
The Speaker’s Race, 119
House Leadership and the Political Parties, 120
The Speaker’s Influence Over Committees, 120
Politics Now: “Ghost Worker” Flap Renews Speaker’s Feud with Critics, 121
House Opposition and the Political Parties, 121
Organizing in the House Through Nonparty Caucuses, 122
Leadership and Opposition in the Senate, 122
The Role of the Lieutenant Governor, 123
Coalition Building in the Senate, 123
How Does the Legislature Make Laws and Budgets?, 124
What Is a Bill? What Is a Resolution?, 124
Rules, Procedures, and Internal Government, 124
How a Bill Becomes Law, 124
The House Calendars Committee, 126
The Senate Calendaring Function, 126
The Bill Reaches the Floor, 127
Two Bills Into One: The Final Stages, 128
The Budgeting Process, 129
How Do Legislators Make Decisions?, 130
Growth of Legislative Staff, 130
Ideas into Action: Student Interns Learn Legislative Politics, 131
Staffing for Technical Assistance, Specialized Information, and Political Assistance, 131
Relations with Lobbyists, 132
The Ethics of Lobbying, 133
The Legislature and the Governor, 133
Toward Reform: The Public and the Legislature, 134
Chapter 5. The Governor and Executive Branch, 138
Roots of the Executive Branch in Texas, 141
From President of the Lone Star Republic to Governor of Texas, 141
The Living Constitution: Article 4, Section 14, 142
Terms of Office, 143
Length and Number of Terms, 144
Salary, 145
Impeachment, 145
Succession, 145
The Constitutional Roles of the Governor, 146
The Development of Gubernatorial Power, 146
Characteristics of Gubernatorial Power, 147
Restriction of Governors’ Powers, 147
Comparing the Texas Governor with Other Governors, 147
Join the Debate: Should the Texas Governor Have a Cabinet?, 148
The Governor’s Power to Appoint Executive Officials, 150
The Power of Staff and Budget, 153
The Governor as Policy Maker and Political Leader, 154
Public-Opinion Leadership, 154
Relationship with the Legislature, 154
Analyzing Visuals: Ideology and Governors, 155
Executive Orders, 157
The Plural Executive in Texas, 158
Attorney General, 158
Comptroller of Public Accounts, 159
Land Commissioner, 160
Agriculture Commissioner, 161
Railroad Commissioners, 162
State Board of Education, 163
Modern Texas Bureaucracy, 164
Secretary of State, 165
Public Utility Commissioners, 166
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, 166
Insurance Commissioner, 167
Health and Human Services Commission, 167
Public Counsels, 168
Boards and Commissions, 168
Ideas into Action: Student Regents, 169
Making Agencies Accountable, 170
The Sunset Process, 170
Staff Size and Pay, 171
Regulating the Revolving Door, 172
Regulating the Relationship Between Agencies and Private Interests, 172
Toward Reform: Gubernatorial and Executive Power, 173
Chapter 6. The Judicial Branch, 176
Roots of the Texas Judiciary, 179
The Living Constitution: Article 5, Section 1, 180
The Structure of the Texas Judiciary, 180
Local Trial Courts, 182
County Courts, 182
District Courts, 183
Intermediate Courts of Appeal, 184
The Supreme Courts, 184
Judges and Judicial Selection, 186
Judicial Qualifications and Personal Characteristics, 186
Judicial Selection, 187
Join the Debate: Should Texas Elect Its Judges?, 188
Analyzing Visuals: Is Justice for Sale in the State of Texas?, 190
The Judicial Process in Texas, 192
The Criminal Justice Process, 192
Arrest and Searches, 192
Booking, 193
Magistrate Appearance, 193
Grand Jury Indictment, 193
Arraignment, 194
Pretrial Motions, 194
Jury Selection, 194
Trial, 194
Ideas into Action: Defending Actual Innocence, 195
Appeals, 195
The Civil Justice Process, 195
Pretrial Procedures, 195
Trial, 196
Appeals, 196
Toward Reform: Changing the Texas Judiciary, 196
Reforming the Court Structure, 196
Reforming Judicial Selection, 198
Reforming Judicial Campaign Finance, 199
Chapter 7. Local Governments, 202
Roots of Local Government in Texas, 205
Analyzing Visuals: Texas Counties and Population, 207
Counties, 208
Structure of County Government, 208
County Commissioners Court, 208
The Living Constitution: Article 5, Section 18, 209
District Attorneys and County Attorneys, 210
Sheriff, 210
County Clerk and District Clerk, 210
Judges and Constables, 211
County Tax Assessor-Collector, 211
Treasurer and Auditor, 211
Authority of County Governments, 211
Finances of County Governments, 212
Cities, 213
Join the Debate: Should Texas Cities Be Allowed to Photograph Red-Light Runners?, 214
Forms of City Governments, 216
Weak Mayor-Council, 216
Strong Mayor-Council, 217
Council-Manager, 217
City Commission, 217
Authority and Functions of City Governments, 218
Finances of City Governments, 219
Politics Now: The Border Fence, 220
Municipal Annexation, 221
Politics and Representation in City Governments, 222
Ideas into Action: Students Run for Local Office, 224
Special Districts, 224
Water Districts, 225
School Districts, 226
Toward Reform: Local Government and Politics in Texas, 227
Chapter 8. Public Policy in Texas, 230
The Roots of Public Policy in Texas, 233
Public Policy Process, Actors, and Outcomes, 234
Policy Process, 235
Policy Actors, 236
Policy Outcomes, 237
State Finance, 237
Budgeting and Borrowing, 238
The Living Constitution: A Constitutional Cap on Welfare Spending, 240
Revenue, 241
Taxes, 241
Federal Funds, 244
Other Revenue Sources, 244
Level of Taxation, 245
Effects of the Texas Tax System on Individuals, 245
Spending, 246
Policy Areas of State Expenditures, 246
Spending Comparisons, 247
Public Education and Higher Education Policy, 248
Public Education: Fulfilling Our Constitutional Mandate, 248
Structure of Elementary and Secondary Education, 249
School Finance: The Class of Economic and Social Policies, 249
Analyzing Visuals: Public School Finance, 251
Educational Quality, 252
Higher Education: From Community Colleges to Universities, 253
Funding Colleges and Universities, 253
Access to Higher Education, 254
Ideas into Action: The Texas Top 10 Percent Law, 255
Join the Debate: Privatizing Public Assistance, 256
Health and Human Services Policy, 256
The Federal–State Partnership, 257
Assistance for Food, Shelter, Clothing, and Protection, 259
Health Care, 259
The Adequacy of Health and Human Service Programs in Texas, 260
Transportation Policy, 261
Toward Reform: Changing Public Policies in Texas, 263
Politics Now: Privatization and Texas Government, 264
Notes, 267
Glossary, 281
Glosario, 287
Index, 291

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