The government of Texas operates under the Constitution of Texas and consists of a unitary democratic state government operating under a presidential system that uses the Dillon Rule , as well as governments at the county and municipal levels.
34-613: The governor of Texas is the head of the state government of Texas and is the highest elected official in the state. The governor is the leader of the executive and legislative branches of the state government and is the commander in chief of the Texas Military . The current governor is Greg Abbott , who took office in 2015. Anyone seeking to become the governor of Texas must meet the following qualifications: Governors of Texas are directly elected by registered voters in Texas and serve for
68-403: A city and a school district may enter into agreements with the county whereby the county bills for and collects property taxes for the city and school district). Texas does not have townships; areas within a county are either incorporated or unincorporated. Incorporated areas are part of a city, though the city may contract with the county for needed services. Unincorporated areas are not part of
102-416: A city; in these areas the county has authority for law enforcement and road maintenance. Their local ordinances, rules, and police regulations are usually codified in a "code of ordinances". Cities are classified as either "general law" or " home rule ". A city may elect home rule status (i.e., draft an independent city charter) once it exceeds 5,000 population and the voters agree to home rule. Otherwise, it
136-763: A nonpartisan basis or may be appointed. The most common is the independent school district , which (with one exception ) has a board of trustees that is independent of any other governing authority. School district boundaries are not generally aligned with city or county boundaries; it is common for a school district to cover one or more counties or for a large city to be served by several school districts. The Texas Education Agency governs public education in Texas. Other special districts include Groundwater Conservation Districts (regulatory agencies), river authorities, water supply districts (for irrigation or municipal supply), public hospitals, road districts and community colleges. Governor of Texas The governor of Texas
170-602: A reputation as one of the most complex in the United States, with many layers and many overlapping jurisdictions. Texas has two courts of last resort: the Texas Supreme Court , which hears civil cases, and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals . Except in the case of some municipal benches, partisan elections choose all of the judges at all levels of the judiciary; the governor fills vacancies by appointment. All members of
204-411: A term of four years. They take office on the third Tuesday of January following an election, which is also the date of expiry of the previous gubernatorial term. The state's first constitution in 1845 established the office of governor, to serve for two years, but no more than four years out of every six (essentially a limit of no more than two consecutive terms). The 1861 secessionist constitution set
238-410: A term of four years. They take office on the third Tuesday of January following an election, which is also the date of expiry of the previous gubernatorial term. The state's first constitution in 1845 established the office of governor, to serve for two years, but no more than four years out of every six (essentially a limit of no more than two consecutive terms). The 1861 secessionist constitution set
272-420: A total of 254 counties, by far the largest number of counties of any state. Each county is run by a five-member Commissioners' Court consisting of four commissioners elected from single-member districts (called commissioner precincts) and a county judge elected at-large . The county judge does not have authority to veto a decision of the commissioners court; the judge votes along with the commissioners (being
306-533: Is classified as general law and has very limited powers. Larger cities (those exceeding 225,000) have a unique authority: that of "limited annexation", whereby an adjoining area may be annexed for purposes of imposing city ordinances related to safety and building codes. The residents can vote for mayor and council races but cannot vote in bond elections (and, consequently, the city cannot directly collect city sales tax from businesses or city property tax from owners). Municipal elections in Texas are nonpartisan in
340-474: Is faced in Texas pink granite and is topped by a statue of the " Goddess of Liberty " holding aloft a five-point Texas star . The capitol is also notable for purposely being built seven feet taller than the U.S. national capitol. The statewide elected officials are: The executive department consists of the Governor , Lieutenant Governor , Secretary of State , Comptroller of Public Accounts , Commissioner of
374-486: Is the head of the state government of Texas and is the highest elected official in the state. The governor is the leader of the executive and legislative branches of the state government and is the commander in chief of the Texas Military . The current governor is Greg Abbott , who took office in 2015. Anyone seeking to become the governor of Texas must meet the following qualifications: Governors of Texas are directly elected by registered voters in Texas and serve for
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#1732848098827408-415: The presidential elections . All gubernatorial elections have been a part of the midterm elections since the 1974 election , invalidating the latter. The governor is sworn in on the third Tuesday of January every four years along with the lieutenant governor , so Abbott and current lieutenant governor Dan Patrick both took office on January 20, 2015. Despite the lack of term limits, no Texas governor in
442-415: The presidential elections . All gubernatorial elections have been a part of the midterm elections since the 1974 election , invalidating the latter. The governor is sworn in on the third Tuesday of January every four years along with the lieutenant governor , so Abbott and current lieutenant governor Dan Patrick both took office on January 20, 2015. Despite the lack of term limits, no Texas governor in
476-482: The 19th or 20th century ever served more than seven and a half consecutive years in office ( Allan Shivers ) or eight years total service ( Bill Clements , in two non-consecutive four-year terms). Former governor Rick Perry , who served from 2000 to 2015, surpassed both these records, becoming the first Texas governor to serve three consecutive four-year terms. When Perry won the general election on November 2, 2010 , he joined Shivers, Price Daniel , and John Connally as
510-482: The 19th or 20th century ever served more than seven and a half consecutive years in office ( Allan Shivers ) or eight years total service ( Bill Clements , in two non-consecutive four-year terms). Former governor Rick Perry , who served from 2000 to 2015, surpassed both these records, becoming the first Texas governor to serve three consecutive four-year terms. When Perry won the general election on November 2, 2010 , he joined Shivers, Price Daniel , and John Connally as
544-701: The County Judges and Commissioners Association events and the official association publication County Progress. Counties in Texas have limited regulatory (ordinance) authority. Counties in Texas do not have zoning power (except for limited instances). However, counties can collect a small portion of property tax and spend it to provide residents with needed services or to employ the power of eminent domain . Unlike other states, Texas does not allow for consolidated city-county governments. Cities and counties (as well as other political entities) are permitted to enter "interlocal agreements" to share services (for instance,
578-689: The General Land Office , and Attorney General . Texas has a plural executive branch system which limits the power of the Governor. Except for the Secretary of State, all executive officers are elected independently, making them directly answerable to the public, not the Governor. Although elected statewide, the executive department does not include Railroad Commissioners nor the Agriculture Commissioner. Partly because of many elected officials,
612-637: The Governor nor the Legislature are able to coordinate or completely control. The Governor appoints the directors of a handful of state agencies, and the Governor exercises direct authority over these offices. Most state agencies are headquartered in Austin. The Texas Administrative Code contains the compiled and indexed regulations of Texas state agencies and is published yearly by the Secretary of State. The Texas Register contains proposed rules, notices, executive orders, and other information of general use to
646-568: The Legislature into special sessions (and may do so as often as desired); the Legislature lacks the power to call itself into special session. Its session laws are published in the official General and Special Laws ; most, but not all, of these statutes are codified in the Revised Civil Statutes , Penal Code , and Code of Criminal Procedure (sometimes referred to as the Texas Statutes ). The judicial system of Texas has
680-887: The Texas Supreme Court and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals are elected statewide. The Municipal Courts are the most active courts, with the County and District Courts handling most other cases and often sharing the same buildings. Administration is the responsibility of the Supreme Court, which is aided by the Texas Office of Court Administration , the Texas Judicial Council and the State Bar of Texas (the Texas Bar). Texas has
714-547: The activities of state government and the strong constitutional connections between it and the Lieutenant Governor, but also due to Texas's plural executive. The legislature convenes its regular sessions at noon on the second Tuesday in January of odd-numbered years. The maximum duration of a regular session is 140 days. The Governor is given authority under the state constitution to convene the legislature at other times during
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#1732848098827748-405: The biennium. Such sessions are known as called or special sessions and are reserved for legislation that the Governor deems critically important in the conduct of state affairs. Called sessions are limited to a period of 30 days, during which the legislature is permitted to pass laws only on subjects submitted by the governor in calling for the session. Unlike other states, only the Governor may call
782-472: The executive branch are elected statewide except for the Secretary of State (appointed). The executive branch also includes several boards and commissions that are constituted through a mixture of elections and gubernatorial appointments confirmed by the Senate. Even with the Governor appointing several members of boards and commissions, the overall effect is a sprawling network of administrative bodies that neither
816-579: The governor's powers are quite limited in comparison to other state governors or the U.S. President. In popular lore and belief the lieutenant governor, who heads the Senate and appoints its committees, has more power than the governor. The governor commands the state militia and can veto bills passed by the Legislature and call special sessions of the Legislature (this power is exclusive to the governor and can be exercised as often as desired). The governor also appoints members of various executive boards and fills judicial vacancies between elections. All members of
850-604: The limit on terms, Texas remains one of 16 states, territory or jurisdiction (including the U.S. Territory of Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia ) with no gubernatorial term limits. The present constitution of 1876 shortened terms back to two years, but a 1972 amendment increased it to four years again. The gubernatorial election is held every four years on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November that does not coincide with
884-449: The limit on terms, Texas remains one of 16 states, territory or jurisdiction (including the U.S. Territory of Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia ) with no gubernatorial term limits. The present constitution of 1876 shortened terms back to two years, but a 1972 amendment increased it to four years again. The gubernatorial election is held every four years on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November that does not coincide with
918-402: The only Texas governors elected to three terms (the terms served by governors Shivers, Daniel, and Connally were two-year terms). On November 8, 2022, current governor Greg Abbott was re-elected and became the fifth Texas governor to serve three terms following Shivers, Daniel, Connally and Perry. In case of a vacancy in the office of governor, the lieutenant governor becomes governor. This rule
952-401: The only Texas governors elected to three terms (the terms served by governors Shivers, Daniel, and Connally were two-year terms). On November 8, 2022, current governor Greg Abbott was re-elected and became the fifth Texas governor to serve three terms following Shivers, Daniel, Connally and Perry. In case of a vacancy in the office of governor, the lieutenant governor becomes governor. This rule
986-509: The public and is published weekly by the Secretary of State. The Texas Legislature is bicameral . The Texas House of Representatives has 150 members, while the Texas Senate has 31. The Speaker of the House presides over the House, and the Lieutenant Governor presides over the Senate. It is a powerful arm of the Texas government not only because of its power of the purse to control and direct
1020-440: The sense that candidates do not appear on the ballot on party lines, and do not run as party tickets. However, a candidate's party affiliation is usually known or can be discerned with minimal effort (as the candidate most likely has supported other candidates on partisan tickets). In addition to cities and counties, Texas has numerous special districts . As with municipal elections in Texas, board members or trustees are elected on
1054-463: The term start date at the first Monday in the November following the election. The 1866 constitution, adopted just after the American Civil War , increased terms to 4 years, but no more than 8 years out of every 12, and moved the start date to the first Thursday after the organization of the legislature, or "as soon thereafter as practicable". The Reconstruction -era constitution of 1869 removed
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1088-401: The term start date at the first Monday in the November following the election. The 1866 constitution, adopted just after the American Civil War , increased terms to 4 years, but no more than 8 years out of every 12, and moved the start date to the first Thursday after the organization of the legislature, or "as soon thereafter as practicable". The Reconstruction -era constitution of 1869 removed
1122-529: The tie-breaker in close calls). In smaller counties, the county judge actually does perform judicial duties, but in larger counties the judge's role is limited to serving on the commissioners court and certifying elections. Certain officials, such as the sheriff and tax collector, are elected separately by the voters, but the commissioners court determines their office budgets, and sets overall county policy. All county elections are partisan. The Commissioners Courts in Texas are served and provided continued education by
1156-570: Was added only in a 1999 amendment, prior to which the lieutenant governor only acted as governor, except during the time of the 1861 constitution, which said that the lieutenant governor would be styled "Governor of the State of Texas" in case of vacancy. Government of Texas Austin is the capital of Texas. The State Capitol resembles the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. , but
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