STRUCTURE & FUNCTIONS OF GOVERNMENT
This level of government operates within city limits and is led by a mayor and city council or a city manager.
What is the municipal (city) government?
This principle divides government power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
What is separation of powers?
This is the general term for the money state and local governments collect to pay for services like schools, roads, and parks.
What is revenue?
This amendment protects states’ rights by saying powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or the people.
What is the 10th Amendment?
Texas has 254 of these, which are divided into precincts and led by a county judge and county commissioners.
What are counties?
This system allows each branch of government to limit the power of the other branches so no branch becomes too powerful.
What are checks and balances?
This source of revenue is paid by people who own homes, land, or buildings and is based on the value of that property.
What are property taxes?
This amendment protects people from being forced to testify against themselves and guarantees due process of law.
What is the 5th Amendment?
At this level of government, representatives and senators create laws, while the governor enforces them and judges interpret them
What is the state government?
In Texas, this branch has the power to formally charge a state official with wrongdoing through impeachment.
What is the legislative branch?
This type of tax is collected when consumers buy goods like clothing or electronics and is the largest source of revenue for state and local governments.
What are sales taxes?
This amendment guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial, an impartial jury, and a lawyer.
What is the 6th Amendment?
This system divides government power among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
What is separation of powers?
This branch of government reviews laws and government actions to decide whether they follow the Texas Constitution, helping ensure fairness and legality.
What is the judicial branch?
This source of revenue allows governments to borrow money for large projects like schools or highways and must be repaid over time with interest.
What are bonds?
This amendment protects people from excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel or unusual punishment.
What is the 8th Amendment?
This constitutional principle allows each branch of government to limit the power of the others, working alongside separation of powers.
What are checks and balances?
This Texas constitutional power allows the House of Representatives to accuse officials of misconduct as a way to hold other branches accountable.
What is impeachment?
Unlike taxes, this source of revenue is only paid by people who use a specific government service, such as a driver’s license or park entrance.
What are fees?
What are fees?
This historic English document influenced the U.S. Bill of Rights by limiting the power of the monarch and protecting individual rights.
What is the English Bill of Rights?