Texas Government Politics and Economics Book

1. The Current Character of the Texas Economy. The Declining Importance of the Oil and Gas Industries. The Prominence of High-Tech Industries. International Influences on Texas's Economic Future. The Future of the Texas Economy. Conclusion. References. 2. The Population of Texas. The History of Population Growth in Texas. The Future of Population Growth in Texas. Major Demographic Characteristics. Conclusion. References. 3. The Political Cultures of Texas. The Concept of Political Culture. The Patterning of America's Political Cultures. Political Subcultures in Texas. Conclusion. Notes. References. 4. The Texas Constitution. The Functions of State Constitutions. The History of the Texas Constitution. Revising the Constitution. Impacts of the 1876 Constitution. Conclusion. References. 5. Elections in Texas: Political Parties, Public Participation, And Interest Groups. Political Parties in a Democratic Polity. Formation of the One-Party System in Texas. Consequences of the One-Party System. Decline of the One-Party System. Reasons for Low Voter Turnout in Texas. Obstacles to Two-Party Competition. Interest Groups in a Democratic Polity. Checks on Interest Group Power. Interest Group Power in Texas. Interest Groups and Elections. Conclusion. References. 6. The Legislature. The Image of the Texas Legislature. The Functions of Legislatures. The Functional Capabilities of the Texas Legislature. The Legislators Themselves. Special -Interest Groups and the Legislature. Conclusion. References. 7. The Governor. The Image of the Governor. The Functions of Governors. The Reality of the Texas Governor's Powers. The Governor's Staff. The Governor's Informal Powers. The Governors Themselves. Conclusion. Notes. References. 8. The Executive Branch of State Government. The Role of the Bureaucracy in a Democratic Society. The Evolution of the Bureaucratic Role. The Power of the Bureaucracy. The State Agencies. The Size of the Executive Branch. Fragmentation in the Executive Branch. Reorganizing the Texas Bureaucracy. Sunset Review of State Agencies. Conclusion. References. 9. The Court System. The Functions of State Court Systems. The Role of the Courts in the Public Policy Process. The Image of the Court System. Organization of the Texas Court System. The Workload of Texas Courts. The Judges Themselves. Conclusion. Notes. References. 10. The Political Economy of the Metropolis. Metropolitan Texas. Federal Government Aid and the Development of the Metropolis. Federal Government Policies for Urban Areas Today. Fragmented Government. Annexation. State-City Relations. The Policy Priorities of Texas Cities. Conclusion. References. 11. Government and Policy in Texas Cities. City and State Governments Compared. Forms of City Government. Does the Form Really Matter?. Who Governs Texas Cities and Other Local Governments?. Participation in City Politics. City Budgets. Conclusion. References. 12. Counties, Special Districts, And School Districts. Legal Responsibilities of County Government. Constitutional Provisions. Offices of County Government. The Problems with County Government. The Policy Priorities of Texas Counties. Special Districts. School Districts. Conclusion. References. 13. Taxation and Spending. The Level of State and Local Taxes. Sources of Tax Revenues. Current Controversies about the Texas Tax System. The Level of State and Local Spending. Federal Aid in Texas. Distribution of Benefits and Burdens. Conclusion. Notes. References. 14. The Future of Government and Public Policy in Texas. A Time of Change and Challenge. History, Tradition, and Traditional Attitudes toward Government. Contemporary Attitudes toward Government. The Future of Public Policy. Contemporary Governmental Realities. References. Index.