Texas vs. Federal Government
A Tale of Two Constitutions
The U.S. and Texas Constitutions represent fundamentally different philosophies on governance. The U.S. Constitution provides a brief, flexible framework for a limited federal government, while the Texas Constitution is a long, detailed document that specifies many powers and limitations. This section explores these structural and philosophical divides.
U.S. Constitution (1789)
- 📜Philosophy: Brief and flexible framework. Creates a government of limited, enumerated powers.
- 📏Length: Approx. 4,400 words.
- 🔄Amendments: Only 27 times. Difficult to amend.
- 🔑Key Trait: “Statutory” – Establishes broad principles and structure, leaving specifics to ordinary law.
Texas Constitution (1876)
- 📜Philosophy: Long and restrictive. A reaction to centralized power, limits government through extreme detail.
- 📏Length: Approx. 87,000 words.
- 🔄Amendments: Over 500 times. Relatively easy to amend.
- 🔑Key Trait: “Code-like” – Includes detailed policy provisions that would typically be in statutes.
Amendments: A Visual Comparison
The difference in amendment frequency is staggering. Hover over the bars to see the exact counts.
Legislative Branches: Full-Time vs. Part-Time
The U.S. Congress operates as a full-time, professional body, while the Texas Legislature is a part-time “citizen legislature.” This fundamental difference impacts everything from lawmaker salaries to the frequency and length of sessions. Use the buttons below to explore these key distinctions.
U.S. Congress
Select a topic above to compare.
Texas Legislature
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Click a button to reveal the details.
The Executive Branch: Unitary vs. Plural
The most significant difference between the two executive branches is their structure. The U.S. has a unitary executive where power is concentrated in the President. Texas has a plural executive, deliberately dividing power among several independently elected officials. Click on the Texas officials below to learn more about their roles.
Federal Unitary Executive
Power is centralized. The President appoints and directs the heads of executive departments, creating a clear line of authority.
Texas Plural Executive
Power is intentionally fragmented. Voters elect multiple executives who do not report to the Governor, creating independent centers of power.
Click an office to see its role.
Judicial Systems: Appointed vs. Elected
The federal and Texas judicial systems differ dramatically in two key ways: how judges are selected and the structure of their highest courts. The federal system uses presidential appointments for lifetime terms to insulate judges from political pressure, while Texas elects almost all of its judges in partisan elections, making them directly accountable to voters.
Federal Judiciary
- Selection: Appointed by the President, confirmed by the Senate.
- Term: Life tenure (“during good Behaviour”).
- Top Court Structure: A single Supreme Court is the highest court for all federal cases.
Texas Judiciary
- Selection: Judges at all levels (with few exceptions) are chosen in partisan elections.
- Term: Fixed terms (e.g., 6 years for highest courts).
- Top Court Structure: A bifurcated system with two highest courts: the Supreme Court (for civil cases) and the Court of Criminal Appeals (for criminal cases).
Quick Check: How Are They Selected?
A vacancy opens on the highest court for a major felony case. How is the new judge chosen?