Inside Texas Politics

Brandon Rottinghaus is Professor and Pauline Yelderman Chair of the department of Political Science at the University of Houston. He is co-host of the Party Politics Podcast on Houston Public Media (KUHF), and the creator of Monday Morning Politics on Fox 26 Houston (KIRV).

Inside Texas Politics is a comprehensive and accessible account of Texas politics, and answers all the 'so what?' questions that help students grasp and apply the material to their daily lives.

• Table of Contents About the AuthorsPrefaceAcknowledgments Chapter 1: Cultural, Demographic and Political Trends1.1 The Origins of TexasNative AmericansSpanish SettlersTejanosAnglosAngles of Power: The Benefits and Challenges of DiversityAfrican Americans1.2 Continuity and Change in the Texas EconomyFood and FiberFuelKing Cattle (And Other Four-Legged Friends)ManufacturingMilitary and Defense IndustriesHigh TechHealth CareRecreation and RetirementsAssessing the Texas EconomyGreat Texas Political Debates: Access on State Documents1.3 Continuity and Change in the Texas DemographicsState Population GrowthIs it Bigger in Texas: States with the Largest Population IncreasesChallenges of Population GrowthRacial and Ethnic Trends in TexasChallenges of Shifting Racial and Ethnic TrendsAn Aging StateChallenges of an Aging Texas1.4 Continuity and Change in Texas Political CultureInsider Interview: Joe Holley, Houston Chronicle WriterIndividualistic Political CultureTraditionalistic Political CultureCulture Conflicts Chapter 2: The Texas Constitution2.1 Constitutional Government2.2 The Roots of Rebellion and the Declaration of Independence2.3 The 1836 Constitution of the Republic2.4 The 1845 Constitution of the (New) State of Texas2.5 Succession, Reconstruction, and the Constitutions of 1861, 1866 and 1869The 1861 Constitution --"The Confederacy Constitution"The 1866 Constitution --"The Readmission Constitution"The 1869 Constitution --"The Reconstruction Constitution"2.6 The Constitution of 1876--The Current ConstitutionThe Crafting of the 1876 ConstitutionPrinciples of the Texas ConstitutionInsider Interview: Former Chief Justice Tom PhilipsGreat Texas Political Debates: Confederate Flag License Plates and the Battle over Free Speech2.7 Amending the ConstitutionConstitutional AmendmentsRecent Major Reform AttemptsIs it Bigger in Texas: Number of Words in State ConstitutionsAngles of Power: Debates About Amending the Constitution Chapter 3: Federalism3.1 Organizing the Constitutional SystemThe Supremacy ClauseEnumerated and Implied PowersReserved PowersConcurrent PowersFull Faith and Credit3.2 Advantages of FederalismA Stronger Central GovernmentAngles of Power: Texas, the Military, and Jade HelmRepresentationPolicy InnovationTrust in Levels of Government3.3 Texas and Federal FundingIs It Bigger in Texas: Federal Aid as a Percentage of General Revenue3.4 Styles of FederalismDual FederalismCooperative FederalismNew FederalismCoercive FederalismInsider Interview: Michael C. Massengale, Appeals Court Judge3.5 Texas and Conflicts Over FederalismTexas Versus WashingtonTidelands ControversyRed River Border DisputeImmigrationGreat Texas Political Debates: Sanctuary CitiesVoter Identification at Election PlacesCommon Core Education Standards Chapter 4: Voting and Elections4.1 Voting in TexasRegistrationTypes of ElectionsEarly VotingMobile VotingElection DayAdministration4.2 Suffrage Struggles and Their ConsequencesLiteracy TestsPoll TaxWhite PrimaryHispanicsAngles of Power: Political MachinesInsider Interview: Victor Morales, U.S. Senatorial Candidate in 1996, US House Candidate in 1998African AmericansWomenAsian Americans4.3 Voter Turnout in TexasWhy Texans Don't VoteSocial Pressure and Political SocializationIs It Bigger in Texas: Voter Turnout By State, 2016How Can Voter Turnout be Increased?Voter ID4.4 How to Campaign, Texas StyleBuilding Campaign InfrastructureImage, Limelight, and the MediaNegative CampaigningCourting the BaseMicrotargetingSurfing National TrendsFunding Elections4.5 Who Wins and WhyMoney and Election OutcomesParties and Straight Ticket VotingIncumbents and Voter TurnoutGreat Texas Political Debates: "No Excuse" Mail VotingThe Electoral SystemWill Texas Turn Blue? Chapter 5: Political Parties: Texas in Blue and Red5.1 The Functions of PartiesSimplifying Electoral ChoicesRecruiting CandidatesMobilizing VotersArticulating InterestsOrganizing Government5.2 Party OrganizationPrecinct ChairsCounty Party ChairsState Party ChairParty Executive CommitteesParty ConventionsState Party Platforms5.3 Rise and Fall of Political Parties in TexasDemocratic Reign in the Postbellum EraThe Decline of the DemocratsThe Rise of the RepublicansTea PartyFissures in the Republican PartyLessons from Texas Party PoliticsInsider Interview: Jared Woodfill, Harris County Republican Party Chair5.4 Party CompetitionApportionmentIs it Bigger in Texas? Party Competition: 1972-2015Legislative RedistrictingThe 2001 and 2003 Redistricting Battles: The Drama BeginsAngles of Power: The 2003 Redistricting Battle and the Killer DsParty SwitchingGreat Texas Political Debates: Switching Parties5.5 Third Parties and IndependentsLa Raza Unida PartyLibertarian Party of TexasGreen Party of TexasIndependents Chapter 6: Interest Groups6.1 Interest Groups in the Political ProcessPluralist TheoryElite TheoryTransactional TheoryWhich Theory Fits Texas?6.2 Why Join Interest Groups?The Free Rider ProblemSelective Benefits6.3 Types of Interest GroupsBusiness GroupsTrade Associations and Professional OrganizationsLabor UnionsIs It Bigger in Texas? Rates of Union MembershipIdentity GroupsPublic Interest GroupsSingle-Issue GroupsGovernment Interests6.4 What Interest Groups DoEducationCitizen CampaignsElectioneeringLobbying the Courts, the Legislature, and the Executive Branch6.5 Lobbying: The Third HouseThe Role of LobbyistsWhat Lobbyists DoInsider Interview: Andrea McWilliams, Co-Founder of McWilliams Government Affairs ConsultantsIron Triangles in TexasIs It Bigger in Texas? Number of Years Elected Officials Must Wait Before Becoming Lobbyists6.6 Scandals and ReformsSharpstown ScandalThe 1991 ReformsCurrent Ethics Legislation6.7 Oversight of Interest GroupsTexas Ethics CommissionGreat Texas Political Debates: Donations and Legal Defense FundsRecusalDisclosure Chapter 7: The Legislature7.1 The Functions of the Legislature and LegislatorsLawmakingTexas House vs. SenateCaseworkWinning Reelection7.2 The Texas Legislature in ContextThe Legislative SessionIs It Bigger in Texas? Length of Legislative SessionLegislative StaffLegislative Boards and CouncilsSalaryGreat Texas Political Debates: Should Texas Have Annual Legislative Sessions?Incumbency and TurnoverConsequences of the Texas Legislative Structure7.3 How the Legislature is OrganizedThe Committee SystemSpeaker of the HouseAngles of Power: Choosing a SpeakerThe Lieutenant Governor7.4 The Legislative ProcessIn CommitteeOn the FloorHouse and Senate AgreementIn Conference CommitteeThe Real Enemy: The CalendarRules Rule the Chambers7.5 Working TogetherSlowing It DownSpeeding It UpIncreasing Partisanship7.6 Demographic RepresentationWomen LegislatorsAfrican AmericansInsider Interview: Senfronia Thompson, State Representative, Houston, TexasHispanicsReligion and Other Factors Chapter 8: Governors of Texas8.1 Rules of the OfficeEligibilityInformal QualificationsTermsRemoval from OfficeSuccessionIs It Bigger in Texas: Governor Staff SizeSalary and Staff8.2 Formal Powers of Texas GovernorsExecution of LawsAppointment PowersIs It Bigger in Texas: Unilateral Executive Orders by Governor in Select StatesLegislative PowersMilitary PowersJudicial Powers: Pardon and Clemency8.3 Informal Powers of Texas GovernorsLegislative BargainingInsider Interview: Former Democratic Governor Mark WhiteAgenda SettingGreat Texas Political Debates: Budget Powers of the Governor8.4 Weak and Strong GovernorIs It Bigger in Texas? Governor Power by StateSheer Length of TermAppointeesAngles of Power: A "Power Grab" or Efficient Executive?Party PowerCriticisms and Reforms Chapter 9: The Plural Executive and the Bureaucracy9.1 Bureaucracy in TexasThe Size of the Texas BureaucracyIs It Bigger in Texas? State Employees per 10,000 Residents, 2015What the Texas Bureaucracy DoesThe Structure of the Texas Bureaucracy9.2 Independently Elected OfficersLieutenant GovernorIs It Bigger in Texas? Lieutenant Governor Power IndexAngles of Power: The Power of the Lieutenant Governor Beyond PoliticsInsider Interview: David Dewhurst, Former Democratic Lieutenant Governor of TexasAttorney GeneralComptroller of Public AccountsCommissioner of the General Land OfficeAgriculture CommissionerPlural Executive Feuds9.3 Governor-Appointed, Single-Head AgenciesSecretary of StateCommissioner for Health and Human ServicesDepartment of Insurance9.4 Governor-Appointed, Multimember AgenciesPublic Utility CommissionDepartment of TransportationTexas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentTexas Commission on Environmental Quality9.5 Multimember Elected Commissions and Hybrid AgenciesTexas Railroad CommissionTexas Ethics CommissionState Board of Education9.6 Controlling the BureaucracySelection of the BureaucracySluggish PolicymakingOversight and ChangeGreat Texas Political Debates: Sunset Sunset? Chapter 10: The Texas Judiciary10.1 The Role of the CourtsDispensing JusticeIs It Bigger in Texas: Total Trial CourtsInterpreting the Law10.2 Trial CourtsLocal CourtsCounty Trial CourtsState District Courts10.3 Appellate CourtsIntermediate Appellate CourtsAppellate Courts of Last Resort10.4 Quality of Justice in TexasAngles of Power: Two Supreme Courts?Caseloads: Overworked Judges?Length of Court CasesSalary: Underpaid Judges?Is It Bigger in Texas? Salaries of Judges in the Five Most Populous StatesTurnover of JudgesAccess to Justice10.5 Judicial Selection and RemovalJudicial Selection in TexasInsider Interview: Former Justice Reveca Aizpuru Huddle, First Court of AppealsCensure and Removal from OfficeJudicial QualificationsProblems with Partisan Elections10.6 Who Are the Justices?WomenAfrican AmericansHispanicsAsians10.7 Reforming the SystemNon-Partisan ElectionsMerit SelectionPublic Financing of ElectionsLimiting Fundraising TotalsGreat Texas Political Debates: The "Geezer Amendment" and Age Limits Chapter 11: Criminal Justice11.1 Texan JusticeRights of the AccusedVictim Rights11.2 Types of CrimesMisdemeanorsFeloniesDrug CrimesJuvenile Crime11.3 Criminal Justice Process in TexasPretrialTrialAngles of Power: Race and Finances in the Texas Prison SystemPunishmentIncarcerationIs It Bigger in Texas: State and Federal Prisoners under Jurisdiction of Correctional AuthoritiesGreat Texas Political Debates: Prison Conditions in TexasDeath Penalty11.4 Life After PrisonRestricted Licensing, Employment, and Access to ProgramsVoting RightsIs It Bigger in Texas: Restrictions on Voting Post Felony by StateParole11.5 ReformsAlternatives to IncarcerationBail ReformsAddressing Prison SuicidesGrand Jury ReformDeath Penalty ReformInsider Interview: Former Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Cathy Cochran Chapter 12: Local Government12.1 The Powers and Functions of Local GovernmentDillon's RuleGreat Texas Political Debates: Paid Sick LeaveLocal Regulation12.2 County GovernmentIs It Bigger in Texas? Number of Local GovernmentsCounty Judge and Commissioner's CourtCounty SheriffCounty ProsecutorsCounty AdministratorsCounty Finance Officials12.3 City GovernmentsGeneral Law CitiesHome Rule CitiesInsider Interview: Local Activist Barry Klein, Texas Property Rights Association12.4 Types of City GovernmentMayor-Council SystemCommission GovernmentCouncil-Manager System12.5 Special DistrictsIs It Bigger in Texas? Special Purpose Districts NationwideSchool DistrictsSpecial Improvement DistrictsJunior/Community College DistrictsLibrary DistrictsMunicipal Utility DistrictsHospital DistrictsHomeowners' Associations12.6 ElectionsCounty ElectionsCity ElectionsMinority Representation in Municipal GovernmentsLow Turnout in Municipal ElectionsVoting and Corruption12.7 Issues in Local GovernmentLocal Governments Short on CashAngles of Power: The Stadiums That Ate TexasRising DebtCooperation Across GovernmentsSprawlTo Zone or Not to ZonePensions Chapter 13: Budget, Finances, and Policy13.1 Taxes and Other Revenue SourcesSales TaxIs It Bigger in Texas: State and Local Sales Taxes, 2019Property TaxInsider Interview: Dale Craymer, President of the Texas Taxpayers & Research AssociationAngles of Power: Putting a Lid on Property TaxesFranchise (Business) TaxesOil and Natural Gas TaxesCar Taxes: Motor Fuel Tax ("Gas" Tax) and Motor Vehicle TaxesSin Taxes13.2 Alternative Sources of FundsFees and FinesGreat Texas Political Debates: A "Poor Tax"?The "Rainy Day" And Other FundsWhy No Income Tax?Debates Over Taxes13.3 The BudgetBudget CycleBudget LimitationsBudget Players and ProcessBudget Tricks Chapter 14: Public Policy In Texas14.1 Public Policy Priorities and Process14.2 Health Care and WelfareMedicareInsider Interview: Eva DeLuna Castro, State Budget Analyst, Center for Public Policy PrioritiesMedicaidChildren's Health Insurance ProgramThe Affordable Care ActSocial SecurityTemporary Assistance to Needy FamiliesGreat Texas Political Debates: Drug Testing for BenefitsIs It Bigger in Texas? Maximum TANF Benefit As A Percentage Of The Poverty LineUnemployment BenefitsWorkers' Compensation14.3 Immigration and Border SecurityEconomic ImpactPublic Opinion and State LawsDeportations and Border Security14.4 EducationSources of K-12 FundingSchool FinanceTeacher, Student, and School PerformanceAngles of Power: Standardized Tests and Education AccountabilityDiversity in Public EducationVouchersSpecial EducationBullying14.5 Higher EducationFundingCommunity CollegesStandardsAffirmative Action14.6 TransportationIs It Bigger in Texas? Unmet Demand for Transportation (Percentage of Population)14.7 Energy and the EnvironmentWaterWater and Air PollutionEnergy Sources GlossaryNotesCredits