Texas Government 2306

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Texas Government 2306

• Dr. Brian K. Dille

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Unit 1

• Texas Cultural, Political Historical
  Development

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Student Responses
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Texanisms

• If you come to Texas and kill someone we will
  kill you back.
• Comedian Ron White

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Texanisms -2

• If you are good and say your prayers, when you
  die you will go to Texas.

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Texanisms 3 10 Commandments-Texas Style

• (1) Just one God.(2) Honor yer Ma Pa.(3) No
  telling tales or gossipin'.(4) Git yourself to
  Sunday meeting.(5) Put nothin' before God.(6)
  No foolin' around with another fellow's
  gal.(7) No killin'.(8) Watch yer mouth.(9)
  Don't take what ain't yers.(10) Don't be
  hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff

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A Typical Texan is

• Like cheap toilet paper
• rough tough takes no crap off anyone!

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Texas Facts1
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Texas Facts-2
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Mexican Texas
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Republic of Texas
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The Republic of Texas
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3 MAJOR INFLUENCES SHAPING TEXAS

• Old South
• Frontier Experience
• Reconstruction (1865-1873)

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Old South

•      Agricultural
•        Rural
•        Slavery
•        Racism Discrimination
•        Traditionalistic Political Culture
•        Anti-Change Attitude
•        Conservative Philosophy Dominant
•        One-Party Democratic
•        Anti-Government Philosophy
•        Elitism
•        Mass Participation Discouraged

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FRONTIER EXPERIENCE

•        Individualistic Political Culture
•        Frontier Justice
•        Self Reliance Little Government
•        Belief in Free Enterprise
•        Importance of Land
•        Friendly
•        Helpful
•        Pride in State
• Stubborn/Intolerant

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Political Cultures in the USA
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RECONSTRUCTION

• 3 Eras
• Negative Aspects
• Positive Aspects
• 5 After-effects

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Reconstruction-Era 1

• Presidential Phase- 1865-66
• LincolnLeniency10 plan
• No representation in Congress
• 3 mistakes- Black Codes
• Ex-confederates elected
• Black inequality in state constitution

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Reconstruction-Era 21

• Congress - Military Phase 1867-1869
• Federal Troops, martial law, 5 military
  districts
• Removal of civilians ex.Texas Governor
• No representation in Congress

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Reconstruction-Era 31

• . Radical Phase 1869-1873
• -1869 Reconstruction. Constitution - 7 points
• 1. Created a Strong State Government and
• 2. A weak local Government.
• 3. Stronger Governor- Better salary, could
  make appointments,
• 4. Legislature could meet annually
• 5. Other state officials were given high
  salaries and four- year terms
• 6. High Spending, taxes, and borrowing.
• 7. Black equality

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Reconstruction-Era 32

• Republican Governor EJ. Davis Republican
  Legislature
• Obnoxious Acts
• 1873 election Governor Davis
• High spending, taxes, borrowing

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Bad Aspects of Reconstruction

• Corruption
• High Spending
• High Borrowing
• High Taxes
• Incompetence
• Abuse of Power

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Good Aspects of Reconstruction

• First public schools were created during
  Reconstruction.
• Black equality, and suffrage,
• Rail Roads were built
• Poor Whites Given Better Rights
• 1869 Reconstruction Constitution (considered the
  second best constitution we ever had. It was
  modern)

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After Effects of Reconstruction

• v     Anti government- distrust for strong
  government
• v     Anti black- loss of vote, segregation, and
  intimidation.
• v     Anti Republican- they were in control
  because of blacks during reconstruction- blamed
  for abuses.
• v     Anti North- blamed north for needless
  suffering
• v Texas Constitution- created a very weak state
  government exact opposite of 1869 Reconstruction

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Blacks and Racial Violence
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The Progressive Era Reforms (1886-1913)

• 1.  Started the Railroad Commission to regulate
  an expensive industry.
• 2.   Passed one of the first child labor laws in
  the country.
• 3. Party Primary Law- Power was given to the
  people.
• 3.   Prison reforms- tried to make them more
  humane. 4.   Banking Reforms- required that there
  be more financial capital available when a bank
  opened.
• 5.   Insurance Company Reforms-to eliminate
  unscrupulous agents
• 6.   Tax Reforms--so wealthy would pay fair share
  of taxes.

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Changes in the 1970s

• Ø      Civil Rights - More blacks, women,
  Hispanics and elected into office
• Ø      Oil Boom economic population growth
• Ø      Raza Unida Party Hispanics integrated
  into political mainstream
• Ø     Sharpstown Scandal political reforms
• Ø      Governor Bill Clements - rebirth of
  Republican Party

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Long-term Changes (1940-2009)

• 1940s
• Below National Average on per capita income (40s)
• Social Services-in bottom ten
• Education-way below national average
  segregation
• Widespread racial discrimination
• A rural agrarian state
• One-party Democratic

• Today
• Below National Average on per capita income
  (26-32)
• Social Services-in bottom ten
• Education- below national average de facto
  segregation
• Limited racial discrimination
• An urban, industrial state (importance of oil)
• Two-party, leaning Republican

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Poor Distribution of Wealth
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Racial Composition of Texas 1860-2000
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Income Disparity in Texas
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Republican Party-Changing Texas

• More races are contestedvoters have a choice
• Texas now a two-party state
• Texas government more responsive
• Easier to vote out incumbents who dont deserve
  to be re-electedcorruption, incompetence, etc.

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. Effects of Close Proximity of Mexico on Texas.

• Economically- Texas is affected by Mexican
  economy many Texas businesses rely on Mexican
  customers, especially in border towns
• Demographically- Most of immigrants into Texas
  are Hispanics contributes to the growth of
  Hispanic population in Texas large families
• Politically- Majority vote Democratic-unless

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Trends

• Economic
• Demographic
• Political

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Economic Trends

• Oil becoming less important
• Why?
• Growth primarily along east of I-35 corridor

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Fastest Growing Counties
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Population Density
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Demographic Trends

• Texas now a majority-minority state (since
  2005)
• Growing importance of Hispanics
• Effects?

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Hispanic Population in 2030
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Hispanic Population in US
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Black Population in the US
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Asian Population in the US
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Racial Diversity in the US
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Religious Diversity in US
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Political Trends

• Texas will become less conservative more
  change orientedWhy?
• Will Texas become more Democraticprobably, but
  it is not a sure betWhy?

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Voting Patterns Race

• As Anglos become wealthier, become more
  conservative and vote more Republican
• As Blacks become wealthierlittle change in
  voting patternsremain Democratic
• As Hispanics become wealthier?
• Follow Anglo pattern, become more conservative
  Republican

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Problems the Future

• Economics when oil depleted? Need to diversify
  state economy
• Education need to improve national ranking
  equalize funding between districts
• Water Growing shortages
• Disappearing Family Farms

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TEXAS IN 20301(by Texas State Data Center--Texas
A M University)

• If Texas government policies remain unchanged
•         Texas will be overrun by poverty
•         Texas will have million more
  minimally skilled workers
• Texas will have more people on welfare
• Texas will become a third world society

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TEXAS IN 20302

•         Texas is not doing enough to increase
  opportunities for minorities
•         A poorly educated unskilled workforce
  will make Texas uncompetitive in an increasingly
  global marketplace
•         Texas population will grow almost 80
  (to 33.8 million) -- Hispanics will be
  responsible for the majority of it     

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TEXAS IN 20303

•   Education costs will increase sharply
•         Welfare rolls will increase sharply
•         Prison population will also increase 
•         Average wages will be down 
•         Texas will be a less-educated, poorer,
  increasingly violent society

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TEXAS IN 20304

•         WAGES--Percentage of Texans earning
  under 25,000 (1990 dollars) will increase from
  47 to 53.7
•         Poverty stricken households headed by
  women will jump from 42.9 to 49.1 
•         EDUCATION--Percent with no h.s. diploma
  will increase from 26.1 to 35.3
•   Portion of residents with 4-yr. College
  degreedecrease from 28.6 to 24.4

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A Civic Culture