Question 1

Describe the three sections of the Texas Bill of Rights that contain philosophical observations that have no direct force of law.

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Question 2

If you were a member of a constitutional convention,what change would you propose regarding the structure and function of one of the three branches of government?

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Question 3

Describe the formal amendment process for the Texas Constitution in comparison to the national Constitution and those of other states and explain why the Texas Constitution has been amended so many times.Provide examples of issues for which the state constitution has been amended.

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Question 4

Discuss Article I of the Texas Constitution,and explain how the Texas Bill of Rights is similar to the one found in the U.S.Constitution.

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Question 5

What is meant by initiative and referendum? What are its advantages and disadvantages? Would you support Texas adopting initiative and referendum? Why or why not?

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Question 6

Explain how 11 of Article I's sections provide protections for people and property against arbitrary government actions.Are any of the rights found in the Texas Constitution also protected under the U.S.Constitution,thus guaranteeing Texans rights in both national and state constitutions? Provide examples.

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Question 7

Trace the history of constitutional development in Texas between 1827 and 1845.Describe the historical and political events that led to the creation of the Republic of Texas and then to the admission of Texas as a state within the United States.

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Question 8

Explain the concept of incorporation of the national Bill of Rights.Describe the role of the Fourteenth Amendment's due process clause.Describe how incorporation of the Bill of Rights has changed the relationship between the national and state governments.

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Question 9

Trace the constitutional revision effort from 1971-1975.Pay particular attention to why the process failed.Does Texas need a new constitution? Why or why not?

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Question 10

Explain how the Texas Constitution is more protective of certain rights than the U.S.Constitution.

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Question 11

Explain the main ways in which the Texas Constitution of 1876 restricts the powers of the three branches of state government.

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Question 12

What is the national supremacy clause? What other limitations does the U.S.Constitution place on states? Explain why you either agree or disagree with one of these limitations.

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Question 13

Which of the following describes the Texans elected to a state constitutional convention in the summer of 1875?

Accepted Answer

The Texans elected to the 1875 constitutional convention were largely interested in reducing the power of the state government, reflecting a reaction against the centralized authority and spending of the Reconstruction era.

Question 14

Provide an understanding of the relationship between the national and state governments.Explain which powers are held by the national government,which powers are reserved to the states,and which powers are shared by both the national and state governments.Be sure to include an understanding of the national supremacy clause contained in Article VI of the U.S.Constitution.

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Question 15

Which of the following is responsible for ratifying proposed amendments to the state constitution?

Accepted Answer

Texas voters are responsible for ratifying proposed amendments to the state constitution through a process of direct democracy called a constitutional referendum. The legislature can propose amendments, but they must be approved by two-thirds of both the House and the Senate before being put to a vote of the people. Once an amendment has been approved by the voters, it becomes part of the state constitution.

Question 16

Which of these terms describes the power of government to appropriate private property for public projects?

Accepted Answer

Eminent domain is the power of a government to take private property for public use. This power is limited by the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which requires that the government provide just compensation to the property owner.

Question 17

Which of the following statements regarding the Constitution of 1836 is true?

Accepted Answer

The Constitution of 1836 was the governing instrument for the Republic of Texas. It was adopted at the Convention of 1836, which declared independence from Mexico. A new constitution was later adopted in 1845 when Texas was annexed by the United States as a state.

Question 18

In what ways does the U.S.Bill of Rights differ from the Texas Bill of Rights? Should anything in the Texas Bill of Rights be added to the U.S.Bill of Rights? If not,explain why.

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Question 19

What is the difference between the full faith and credit clause and the privileges and immunities clause? Explain why you either agree or disagree that a ban on same-sex marriages violates the full faith and credit clause.

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Question 20

Which of the following are two sources of the Texas government's powers to govern?

Accepted Answer

The Texas government's powers to govern come from the Texas Constitution and Texas's membership in the federal Union. These sources establish the frameworks for the government's authority and provide guidelines for its operations. The other options listed do not accurately represent the sources of Texas's government powers.

Quiz 2: Federalism and the Texas Constitution