Texas Government Executive
America being a republic the head of the state is elected by popular vote. The Texas Governor is the executive head of Texas. The Governor serves a four year term in office. The current governor of Texas is Rick Perry who is serving his second term. He was elected for the first time in 2000. Any person of thirty years and above and staying in Texas for five years preceding his election can become a governor of Texas.
Texas Government Legislature
The Texas government legislature has a bicameral structure. It is made up of two houses: Upper House or Senate and Lower House or House of Representatives. Elections for both houses are held once every two years. Members of the Senate or Upper House are elected for a term of 4 years, while members of the Lower House or House of Representatives are elected for 2 a year term.
Texas Government Judiciary
The judiciary system in Texas is complex. Local trial courts, Texas District Courts, Appellate Courts, and Texas Supreme Courts form the organization of courts in Texas. There are two Supreme Courts in Texas: (i) Court of Criminal Appeals dedicated to criminal matters, and (ii) Supreme Court of Texas taking care of civil and juvenile cases.
Texas Government Bureaucracies
For efficient functioning the Texas Politics and Government operates through certain key bureaucracies. They are:
- Secretary of State for Texas
- Attorney General of Texas
- Texas Workforce Commission
- Texas Department of Public Safety
- Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Secretary of State of Texas
The office of the Texas Secretary of State located in Austin is spread over three premises.
- The Texas Secretary of State Executive Offices are housed in State Capitol, Room 1E.8, Austin, Texas 78701.
- The Elections office of the Texas Secretary of State is in Thomas J. Ruskin Building, 208 East 10th Street, Austin, Texas 78701.
- The Administration, Information Technology, Business and Public Filings departments are located in James E. Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin, Texas 78701.
Texas Department of Public Safety
The Public Safety Department of Texas was formed in 1935 with the motto "Courtesy, Service, Protection".
There are five major divisions comprising Department of Public Safety (DPS). They are:
- Traffic Law Enforcement - The primary objective of this division is to maintain public safety through proper and smooth movement of traffic. The field operations of this division include: vehicle inspection, commercial vehicle enforcement, monitoring highway patrol, communications and breath alcohol testing.
Criminal Law Enforcement
- This specialized division focuses on organized crimes, drug trafficking, and motor vehicle theft.- Drivers License - This DPS division was created in 1998. The Driver License Service, the Driver License and Control Service and the Administrative License Revocation were combined to form this division.
- Texas Rangers - Texas Rangers is a team of highly trained, versatile motivated officers. They assist in local, state and federal investigations, provide protection to life and property. They also help in investigating felony charges.
- Administration - The administrative division of Texas Department of Public Safety is exhaustive. Very broadly administration includes : (i) staff support service; (ii) crime records service; (iii) regulatory licensing service
Texas Attorney General represents Texas state in litigations, approves issues of public bonds and defends the Constitution and laws within the state of Texas. The office of the Attorney General in Texas helps the Governor in carrying out immense responsibilities.
Workforce Commission Texas
Workforce Commission Texas is a government agency responsible for workforce development services both for recruiters and job seekers. Primary services of Texas Workforce Commission funded by federal tax revenue are provided free to all inhabitants of Texas.
