Why did the authors of the current Texas Constitution want to place strong limits on the Texas government? Discuss the ways in which they accomplished this goal.
What will be an ideal response?
Students should describe the circumstances of the writing of the current constitution, in particular the experience of losing the Civil War and having to live under the Reconstruction regime of E. J. Davis, forced on them by the national government, which did not represent most Texans’ preferences. They should discuss the strong civil liberties provisions, including the fact that habeas corpus cannot be suspended, as limitations on the government. They should identify the various limitations on the legislature. These include biennial sessions of 140 days, low salaries, and numerous restrictions on the subjects of legislation, particularly the restrictions on taxing. The limitations on the executive should also be discussed, including the plural executive. The fact that the original constitution gave the governor a two-year term and limited the number of terms a governor could serve can be mentioned, although it is not crucial since these provisions have been changed. The numerous policy provisions in the constitution should also be mentioned.
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Why do state agencies and communities sometimes resist accepting federal funding?
a. They are wary of the "strings" attached to federal grant programs. b. Many communities place immediate need over local pride. c. Accepting money entails the acceptance of federal superiority, which few are willing to do. d. The political culture in Texas is based on total independence from the federal government.
The power to receive ambassadors, negotiate foreign treaties, and serve as commander-in-chief during the course of a war is the exclusive authority of ________________
A) the president of the United States B) Congress C) individual state governments that are affected by events D) the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff E) the secretary of defense
Unlike India and China, Southeast Asia has little tradition of large indigenous cities
Indicate whether the statement is true or false.
In the case of Martin v. Hunter's Lessee, the Court established its ruling based on ________ which allows the Supreme Court to declare state laws unconstitutional
A) the full faith and credit clause B) Article I of the Constitution C) the supremacy clause D) the doctrine of primogeniture E) the example of judicial discretion