Macie Morales

Texas Government
Dr. yong-hee park
September 19, 2024
Discussion 3
1.
a. The national supremacy laws are initially the “law of the land”. This law is stated
in Article VI of the United States Constitution.
b. Delegated powers are powers that are specifically given to the national
government, listed in Article 1 section 8 of the U.S constitution a few of these
powers include:
i. “To regulate interstate and foreign commerce” (slide 23)
ii. “To borrow and coin money” (slide 23)
iii. “To raise and support armies” as well as “to provide and maintain a navy”
(slide 23)
iv. “To establish uniform rules of naturalization” (slide 23)
c. Implied powers give the United States congress power to make necessary laws,
which aren’t specifically stated in the constitution. Congress and federal courts
have used implied powers to further the national governments authority.
d. Necessary and proper clause gives the government the authority to make laws
inexplicitly stated in the constitution.
e. Reserved powers are the powers of the state governments that is not the federal
governments. The reserved powers deal with problems such as waste-disposal and
noise abatement.
f. Privileges and immunities are granted to citizens visiting another country, the
rights of that state also apply to those visiting.
g. Full Faith Credit Clause means that any legislature made in one state is to be
honored in another. For example, a divorce made in Texas is also valid in
Oklahoma.
2. When the Texas constitution was created, it was filled with details leading to a state
government with restricted power, in which amendments were set into place. These
amendments would abolish unnecessary officers and authorize bond issues. As well as
make many social changes and place limitations on government.
3. Federalism is a “structure of government characterized by the division of powers between
a national government characterized and associated regional government”. (slide 4)
Federalism can also be described as a political system which includes local and national
units of government where power is shared.
a. Unitary system is where reserved powers are given by the central government
 b. Confederal system is power in the individual states themselves, without a central
government, the central government is a “creature if the states”
4. Explain the following types of federalism:
a. State-centered federalism is where the states initially controlled everything from
resolving policy questions and public services to deciding on the issues of slavery.
b. Dual Federalism is where national and state powers function separately.
c. Cooperative federalism is when the state and national government began working
together beginning in the 20th century.
d. Centralized federalism is when the states did not deal with problems, they were
directed to the central government.
e. New federalism is initially moving power to the central government and giving
responsibilities to the states.
f. Representational government is giving the states a role in electing national powers
such as congress and presidents.
5. Grant-in-aid are grants given to the states for airports, highways, education, and welfare.
Categorial grants are specifically for a single purpose whereas block grants are more
flexible.
6. Mandates are rules imposed by the federal government on the states, the states pay costs
of certain nationally defined programs. For example, the age discrimination act and
asbestos emergency act.
7. The Texas constitution is the Texas fundamental law which is the structure of Texas
government, authorization of counties and cities, basic governing rules, source of state
power, imposes limitation, and shows civil liberties and rights. The old constitution had
significantly less amendments and constitutions.
8. The purpose of the constitution is to provide legitimacy, organize government, and
provide power.
9. The Texas and U.S constitution both include powers, constitutions, a court system and
amendments this is also where they differ. For Example, the state constitution is less
flexible that the national constitution and the state constitution is more frequently
amended.
10. The constitution of 1827 is Coahuila y Tejas, next is the 1836 constitution of the republic
which is the independence from Mexico. In 1845 Texas became a U.S state, after in
1861Texas joined the confederacy but later re-joined the union in 1866. In 1869 was the
reconstruction constitution era where after in 1876 the state of Texas was finally made.
11. The three branches of government are legislative, where powers are the house of
representatives and senate. The executive branch is the power of the governor. Finally, is
the judicial which is the courts.