13.1 The Texas State Constitution

​Essential question

​What should governments do?

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With your learning partner, rank the following key duties of government according to which is the most and least important.​

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Talk to each other about why you think the way you do....​

​the duties of government

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Making laws for Texas

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​Enforcing laws and government programs and policies

​Settling disputes using the Texas court system

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Empowering local governments to provide services and solve problems

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Collecting taxes to perform state and local duties​

​randomizer

Why did you rate your category most important?​

Exit ticket: name one thing governments should do.​

​randomizer

Why did you rate your category least important?​

Exit ticket: name one thing governments should do.​

​SEAL OF THE STATE OF TEXAS

Examine the image.

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Five-Point Star

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Olive & Live Oak Branches​

​Exit ticket: name one thing governments should do.​

​lesson framework

We will identify, understand, and discuss the ​complex relationship between the Texas and national constitutions.

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I will be able to explain why the Texas constitution is the supreme law of the state, but it is subordinate to the U.S. Constitution and cannot conflict with it.​

​Exit ticket: name one thing governments should do.​

​popular sovereignty

​basic principle of the American system of government which asserts that the people are the source of any and all governmental power, and government can exist only with the consent of the governed.

​Exit ticket: name one thing governments should do.​

​limited government

​basic principle of American government which states that government is restricted in it may do, and each individual has the rights that government cannot take away.

​initiative

​a process in which a certain number of qualified voters sign petitions in favor of a proposed statute or constitutional amendment, which then goes directly to the ballot.

​Exit ticket: name one thing governments should do.​

​fundamental law

​laws of basic and lasting importance which may not easily be changed.

​statutory law

​a law passed by the legislature

​Exit ticket: name one thing governments should do.​

constitution​

​Supreme law

​Each state, including Texas, has a written constitution, which is that State's supreme law.

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The first State constitutions were created during or shortly after the Revolution.

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Each of them proclaimed two principles: POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY, which means that the people are the sole source of authority for government​, and LIMITED GOVERNMENT, which means that government is given only specific powers.

​Exit ticket: name one thing governments should do.​

constitution​

​randomizer!

​What document serves as the supreme law in the State of Texas?

​Exit ticket: name one thing governments should do.​

​lesson framework

We will identify, understand, and discuss the ​complex relationship between the Texas and national constitutions.

​

I will be able to explain why the Texas constitution is the supreme law of the state, but it is subordinate to the U.S. Constitution and cannot conflict with it.​

​Exit ticket: name one thing governments should do.​

constitution​

​the earliest constitutions

​The concepts of separation of powers and checks and balances were also built into the first State constitutions.

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​Exit ticket: name one thing governments should do.​

​CUrrent constitutions

​All current State constitutions include those same provisions.​

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They also include a bill of rights, definition of the structure of State and local government, and a list detailing the powers of each unit of government​

constitution​

​The original constitution of the Republic of Texas was written and ratified in 1836.

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It was patterned after the U.S. Constitution.

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It separated governmental powers into the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.​

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​It created checks and balances among the branches.

​Exit ticket: name one thing governments should do.​

constitution​

​randomizer

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in a complete sentence,​

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What does ratified mean?

​Exit ticket: name one thing governments should do.​

constitution​(S)

​New constitutions

​New Texas constitutions were written when:

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• the State was admitted to the United States;

• when it seceded from the Union during the Civil War;

• and then again after the Civil War;​

​Exit ticket: name one thing governments should do.​

constitution​

​current constitution

​1876

​Exit ticket: name one thing governments should do.​

​general categories

1. ​Basic Principles

2. Civil Rights

3. Governmental Structure

4. Governmental Powers

5. Process for Change

6. Miscellaneous Provisions​

constitution​

​revision and amendment

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1. Proposal by the State legislature;

2. Ratification by popular vote​;

​Exit ticket: name one thing governments should do.​

constitution​

​17 other states

​The voters themselves can propose constitutional amendments through a process known as what?

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Use your composition book to find the answer.​

​Exit ticket: name one thing governments should do.​

​______ is a process in which a certain number of qualified voters sign petitions supporting a proposal.

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The proposal then goes directly to the ballot.​

​lesson framework

We will identify, understand, and discuss the ​complex relationship between the Texas and national constitutions.

​

I will be able to explain why the Texas constitution is the supreme law of the state, but it is subordinate to the U.S. Constitution and cannot conflict with it.​

​Exit ticket: name one thing governments should do.​

constitution​

​need of reform

​Almost all State constitutions are in need of reform because they are out of date.

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Also, most face the problem of not separating fundamental law from statutory law

​Exit ticket: name one thing governments should do.​

fundamental law: those laws of basic and lasting importance, which should be in the constitution​.

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statutory law: laws passed by the legislature.​

constitution​

​Exit ticket: name one thing governments should do.​