hello
six things that divide the lines between republicans and democrats
socio-economics policies
social class
cultural and racial issues
the war on drugs
foreign policy
the proper role of govt
What do county governments provide?
law-enforcements at county level
court system
jails
How many counties does Texas have?
254
Know the Terms for State House and Senate
tx house - 2 year terms
senate - 4 year terms
Can you name two Ivy League colleges?
Amelia will be the judge
municipalities of Texas are consisted of
cities
towns
villages
Understand the County Government duties in the Texas Constitution
-ARTICLE 9, SECTIONS 1 & 2 - REGULATES THE CREATION AND DUTIES OF COUNTIES
-SECTION 1A OF ARTICLE 9 - GIVES COUNTIES POWER TO REGULATE BEACH ACCESS BY MOTOR VEHICLES IF ON THE COAST.
-SECTION 12 OF ARTICLE 9 - GRANTS COUNTIES AUTHORITY TO CREATE AIRPORT AUTHORITIES WITHIN TERRITORY.
-SECTION 14 OF ARTICLE 9 - ALLOWS COUNTIES TO CREATE COUNTY-WIDE HOSPITAL DISTRICTS.
Know what COGs are
3 to 26 counties that are grouped geographically
Know the number of members in each chamber
State house-150 members
State Senate-31 members
Name three popular plays written by William Shakespeare?
Amelia will be the judge
How many municipal governments are there today in Texas?
1200
know how many COGs there are in Texas and name 5
24
Panhandle Regional Planning Commission
South Plains Association of Governments
Nortex Regional Planning Commission
North Central Texas Council of Governments
Ark-Tex Area Council of Governments
East Texas Council of Governments
West Central Texas Council of Governments
Rio Grande Council of Governments
Permian Basin Regional Planning Commission
Concho Valley Council of Governments
Heart of Texas Council of Governments
Capital Area Council of Governments
Brazos Valley Council of Governments
Deep East Texas Council of Governments
South East Texas Regional Planning Commission
Houston-Galveston Area Council
Golden Crescent Regional Planning Commission
Alamo Area Council of Governments
South Texas Development Council
Coastal Bend Council of Governments
Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council
Texoma Council of Governments
Central Texas Council of Governments
Middle Rio Grande Development Council
Know how COGs are managed
3 powers
-executive committee (very top) 29 members on the board who meet monthly
-membership consists of a city and county elected officials and three non voting state legislature
-CAPCOG Responsible for approving annual CAPCOG budget and amendments to the bylaws
-regular committees concerning topics for the general assembly and executive committee
-COG cannot tax citizens
Know the 4 Unspoken Suggested Qualifications to run for office in the legislature
-dominant race in your district
-attorney (special training in constitutional law courses and lawmaking process) or political scientist
-having access to a lot of capital
-republican on conservative democrat
Can you name the largest ocean in the world?
The Pacific Ocean
difference between a city and a municipality
city-human settlement with a mass of humans living in that area
municipality- the administrative division have corporate status to self-govern a specified jurisdiction ALA the governing body over the settlement
Understand the 3 functions of why we need COGs in Texas
1st function (three parts) -
-Merge of provision of services with local governments.
-Provide services at the lowest cost possible to the taxpayers
-Gaining the most out of their investment and setting a model for other members to follow.
2nd function- perform services that achieve a higher-level of efficiency and effectiveness
3rd function- handle issues that cannot be done at the city or county level
Requirements to Serve for State House of Representatives
U.S. Citizen
A registered voter
Resident for 1 year in their district
21 Years of Age
Residency in Texas for 2 years before running for State House
Understand what occurs during the Sessions of the Legislature
-Legislature beings on second Tuesday in january of odd ending years
-meet for 140 days
-60th day is last day for any new legislation to be introduced
-legislation from opposing houses allowed from 125th day onward
-session formally end in late May
-laws go into effect on September 1st of that year
-Bicameral - governmental body with two houses or
Name 3 of Taylor Swift's ex boyfriends
amelia will be the judge
How does one city obtain a municipality
Section 4 of Article 11 of the Constitution of 1876- Cities under 5,000 people can only operate essential services, such as police and firefighters, alongside basic utilities and roads.
Populations over 5,000 can be granted a charter via the state legislature or ballot referendum. This is called home-ruled control.
What is the Clinton v. Cedar Rapids and the Missouri river railroad (1868) case?
Ruled that municipal corporations owe their origin to and derive their powers and rights wholly from the state legislature. AKA Dillion's Rule
How do municipalities operate
2 Ways
Council-Manager System
Council-Manager System - This includes a separation of powers between lay or professional city councils that work to make and set policy for the city - a legislature of the city.
City Manager - Duty is to implement the policies set forth by the council, while advising on the potential consequences of what such implementation of such policies could have on the city.
City Manager's power is restricted by the cities' charter, and essentially runs the city like as the president runs the country.
Mayor-council system
Strong form - the mayor oversees deciding policy, with the approval of the council. the mayor is also fully in charge of running the city.
Weak form - the mayor mimics the same as as position of a city council member. Both oversee policy and instruct city officials on the implementation of such policies.
Understand the 3 Ways to Redistrict Legislative Lines
pairing- two current members of the body are forced to compete for a single seat for their residencies have been drawn into some state ___
heterogenous-all different, diversity
homogenous-look the same, walk talk and act the same
What were the names of Christopher Columbus' Shipsz?
Nina
Pinta
Santa Maria