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Dec 8, 2017 · The Constitution currently gives them an annual salary of $7,200, “unless a greater amount is recommended by the Texas Ethics Commission and approved by voters of this State.” According to the ...
In 1971 the Texas Legislature placed on the November 1972 ballot an Amendment which called for the Legislature to meet in January 1974 for 90 days as a constitutional convention, for purposes of drafting a new state Constitution. The measure passed (thus adding Section 2 to Article 17; the section was later repealed in November 1999) and the Legislature met.
Texas became the 28th state on December 29, 1845. The state's first constitution was from statehood until 1861, which was when the second constitution became effective. Texas has held five state constitutional conventions, including 1845. The second state constitutional convention was held in 1861 when Texas seceded.
- Constitution of 1827
- Constitution of 1833
- Consultation of 1835
- Constitution of 1836
- Constitution of 1845
- Constitution of 1861
- Constitution of 1866
- Constitution of 1869
- Constitution of 1876
In 1827, the combined state of Texas and Coahuila wrote their own constitution. Its government was comprised of a unicameral legislature, executive branch, and judicial branch. The legislature contained 12 deputies, two of which were elected by popular vote. The executive branch had a governor and vice-governor and the judicial branch had courts th...
Wanting separation from Coahuila and their own state government, Texans met in San Felipe for theConventions of 1832 and 1833. Several controversial Mexican policies were discussed as well. The Texans wanted to petition the anti-immigration law of April 1830, prohibit the African slave trade into Texas, pass more tariff exemptions, and have better ...
The Consultation of 1835met to discuss options of actions to take after the quarrels with Mexico. These included the characteristics and virtues of various leaders, the purpose of war, and the power and structure of the government. After a week of meeting, the delegates voted to support the Mexican Constitution of 1824. However, almost simultaneous...
The Convention of 1836 met at Washington on the Brazosand adopted the Texas Declaration of Independence. They also framed the Constitution of 1836, which served throughout the Republic of Texas. The Constitution set up a government much like the US’s with a system of checks and balances amongst three branches. It also allowed for slavery, gave voti...
The United States Congress proposed Resolution Annexing Texas and the Convention of 1845was assembled to consider the proposal. The Constitution of 1845 was approved by both the people of Texas and the Congress of the United States. The bicameral legislature was continued, with Representatives serving two-year terms and Senators serving four-year t...
At the outbreak of the Civil War, the Secession Convention of 1861met in Austin and modified the Constitution of 1845 to reflect Texas’ new alliance with the Confederacy. The new Constitution of 1861 was kept very similar to its predecessor as most laws were consistent with the Confederacy. The terms “the United States of America” were changed to “...
After the war, this was replaced by the Constitution of 1866, which served during much of the Reconstruction Era following the defeat of the Confederacy. This constitution had to include the new laws required to be admitted back into the Union, namely declaring slavery and secession illegal. Legislators were also now required to be white men and th...
In 1869, another constitution was written after the Reconstruction Acts were passed in the US Congress. After the Constitutional Convention of 1869 dissolved over factional differences, military officers drafted the new constitution. Major changes included extending equality of the law to all persons and compulsory school attendance. Senators’ term...
In 1873, Democrats regained control of the Texas government and decided to rewrite the state constitution. Wanting to dramatically downsize the power and influence of the government, the writers drafted a very specific and detailed document. Legislative sessions were reduced and only allowed every other year, divided the governor’s power among seve...
Dec 1, 2022 · John Walker Mauer, "State Constitutions in a Time of Crisis: The Case of the Texas Constitution of 1876", 68 Tex. L. Rev. 1615 (1989-1990) Timothy Sandefur , "Don't Mess with Property Rights in Texas: How the State Constitution Protects Property Owners in the Wake of Kelo " , 41 Real Prop. Prob. & Tr. J. 227 (2006-2007)
- Cynthia Burress
- 2011
Mar 8, 2024 · The Texas legislature is the dominant branch of state government within the state constitutional framework of separation of powers. Under the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, the legislature, as representative of the people of Texas, exercises plenary powers, limited only by the Texas and United States constitutions and valid federal laws.
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The Texas Constitution describes the structure and functions of the state government of Texas. It is considered the highest law of the state. The original constitution is more than 140 years old, dating to 1876. Over the years, the constitution has been amended more than 500 times.
