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Democracy and Constitutions. Texas Constitutions Chapter 28 Section 1. Objectives. Characterize the Texas constitution Identify the 3 branches that make up the state government Explain how the constitution is amended. The Texas Constitution in Early Government. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Local Governments
Types of Local Governments
Chapter 30
Section 1
Local Governments at Work
Services
Police protection
Garbage collection
Water & sewer services
Education
Fire protection
3 types of local government
City
County
Special districts
Two Kinds of City Governments
• General-Law City– Population of less than 5,000
– Function under general laws of Texas
– Provide basic services (police, fire, water, & sewer)
• Home-Rule City– Has the freedom to govern unless prohibited by state or
federal laws
– Increase tax base through annexation of nearby land
Organizations of City Governments
• Mayor-Council– Gives mayor executive authority– Strong-mayor city – mayor responsible for day-
to-day operation, hiring/firing department heads, vetoing city council actions (i.e., Houston and El Paso)
– Weak-mayor city – mayor shares administrative duties with the city council
Organizations of City Governments
• Council-Manager– Generally home-rule– Mayor has less power – presiding over council
meetings and having only one vote– Dallas and San Antonio– Hire a professional city manager to handle day-
to-day affairs and prepare the city budget
Organizations of City Governments
• Commission– Voters elect commissioners to operate the
government– Serve as city council – but each member is head
of a department– Mayor has little power – presides over meetings
and acts as spokesperson– Least common form of government in Texas– Galveston and Sweetwater
City Governments Need Funds
• Property tax – most important; paid by owners of homes, land, and businesses– Financial worth of property
determined by tax assessors
• Sales tax• Fees for services (garbage
collection)• Building permits • Fines for traffic violations
• Spend $– Fire and police
departments, Jail maintenance, Parks, Streets, Sanitation, Animal shelters, Recycling, Museums, Bridges, Libraries, and Airports
• Issue bonds – certificates that guarantee payment plus interest
County Government
• Commissioners Court– Responsible for determining county budget
– Setting property-tax
– Deciding how tax monies are spent
– Do not conduct trials
– Make policies and direct county business
• Texas divided into 4 precincts that elect one commissioner
• Serve four-year terms
• Headed by the county judge
• See page 659
County Commissioner
Ed Chance
Precinct 3
County Officials
• Commissioner – make policies and direct county business
• County Judge – head of commissioner court, judge of the county
• Sheriff – county’s chief law-enforcement officer
• County Attorney – legal advisor; represents county in criminal cases
• County Clerk – maintains records of county courts
• District Clerk – keeps records of state district courts
• Treasurer – county banker
• Tax Assessor – collects property taxes
• Justice of the Peace – hears minor criminal/civil cases
• Constable – serves official papers issued by courts
Montgomery County Officials
Judge Adam Sadler
Financing County Governments
• Property taxes – Real estate (buildings and lands)– Personal automobiles and airplanes
• Bonds – pay for long-term projects
• Fees for permits
• Fuel tax
• Fee for vehicle registration
Special Districts• Created to meet a specific need
– School districts– Rapid transit authorities– Municipal utility districts– River authorities
• School districts the most common type (get $ from federal, state, and local funds)– Hire teachers– Set salaries– Provide transportation to and from school– Make school policies– Maintain school buildings
Local Governments
Participating in Government
Chapter 30
Section 2
Democratic Principles
• Citizens should govern themselves• Right and duty to supports democratic
government• 3 important beliefs
– Needs and opinions of citizens are important– Citizens have different needs, values, and
experiences– Citizens should participate in government
Individual Participation• Learn about government
– TV, radio, newspapers, magazines, talking to people
• Voting qualifications– 18 years of age– U.S. citizen– Read and write– Register 30 days prior to election– Resident of county
• Volunteer– City cleanup campaigns– Read to children at libraries– Answer phones at crisis hot lines
Running for Political Office
• Any Texans who wants to serve as an elected official must campaign to win voter supports
• Some receive salaries, but others donate their time
Political Parties in Texas
• Primary elections – candidates from same party compete against each other
• General elections – 1st Tuesday after 1st Monday in November in even-numbered years
• Special elections – fill vacancies in legislature, city councils or school boards; approve bonds
• Local elections – elect city council members, mayor, school board members – usually nonpartisan (candidates not with any particular political party)
Political Parties in Texas
• Political party functions– Nominate people to run for public office– Encourage volunteers to campaign– Conduct voter registration drives– Watchdogs – keep track of the other parties
• Democratic Party – use to dominant Texas• Republican Party – won the last few
elections
Special Interest Groups
• Organizations of people who share a common interest and seek to exert influence over a particular aspect of government
• Racial and ethnic groups promote political, economic, and social equality
• Texas League of Women’s Voters • Sierra Club – maintain clean air and water• L.U.L.A.C. – Hispanic civil rights• N.A.A.C.P. – African American civil rights
Directly Influencing Government
• Elect officials that agree with own views
• Purchase advertisement on radio, TV, and newspaper
• Hold public events to share their views and opinions
• Lobbying – persuade government leaders to favor certain causes