| Constitution | a document that outlines fundamental laws and functions of the government |
| Republic | a government in which the power lies with the citizens, who vote for people to represent them |
| Federalism | a type of government in which powers and duties between the states and national government are shared |
| Bill of Rights | a series of laws in a constitution that protect specific rights of citizens |
| Democracy | government by the people; a form of government in which the ultimate power is vested in the people and exercised by them or their elected representatives by voting |
| Amendments | a way of making changes or additions to the constitutions |
| Reserved Powers | Powers of the state governments |
| Checks and Balances | a system where the branches of government have power over the other two or ways to check the other so it does not become to powerful |
| Judiciary | Interprets the laws; having to do with judges and the court systems |
| Legislature | Makes the laws; includes the Senate and the House of Representatives |
| Executive | Enforces the laws; includes the Governor |
| Separation of Powers | Spliting the government functions and power into three branckes |
| How long does a Representative hold office? | 2 years |
| What branch has the power to impeach someone from office? | Legislative Branch |
| Who has the power to call special sessions of the legislature? | Governor |
| What branch balances the budget? | Legislative Branch |
| An example of how the legislative branch can check the executive branch | override a veto with a 2/3 vote of both the Senate and House of Representatives |
| Who has the power of veto? | the governor |
| Which court determines whether trials held in trial courts were fair? | appeals |
| Highest court in Texas to hear criminal cases | Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (NOTE THIS WAS CHANGED) |