POLS 2312 1st Edition Lecture 16Outline of Last Lecture I. Texas Ethics Commision II. lobbyistOutline of Current Lecture I. LegislatureII. SenateIII. House of representativesCurrent Lecture- TX has a senate and a house of representatives. This is established by the constitution.- The legislature is the most powerful branch of the TX government b/c the constitution sets it up that way. Possibly in response to E.J Davis, so want to take power away from executive branch.- 150 representatives in the house. 55 are democrats 95 republicans. - 31 senators-including LT. Gov. 12 democrats 19 republicans- Legislature creates and debates and enacts laws, can talk about bills/resolutions. Propose constitutional amendments. Levy taxes, redistrict, can impeach and remove judicial and executive offices.- George D Bush is running for land commissioner. - Land commissioner determines financing. Relates to UT and A&M school systems. - 2 sessions of legislature: regular and special sessions- Special sections are called by the governor for 30 days at a time, can extend, and the topics are limited. Cannot be called during regular session- Regular sessions are mandated by the constitution. Last 140 days, unlimited topics- Legislature must do redistricting as required by the constitution after denial census.- Some other states designate nonpartisan 3rd party to redistrict, - Influences of redistricting: gerrymandering, single member/multi-member districts- Most county’s in TX are single member districts- There is a push for single member districts so minorities can be heard- In 2010 census, TX gained 4 districts because of an extra million in populationThese notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.- Legislature redistricting board will be created to redistrict if it has not been done. Restricts legislators from leaving the districts where they are
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