Illuminating Civic Life in Texas
State Symbols of Texas
![Oil painting of longhorn cattle grazing in the Texas hill country alongside bluebonnets and other wildflowers.]()
Discover key symbols of Texas identity: the Bluebonnet, Long Horn, Rodeo, and more.
editorNovember 21, 2022
River Authorities of Texas
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Agencies that manage dams and other riverine infrastructure
editorNovember 21, 2022
Political Subdivisions of Texas
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Definition, examples, and comparison to the federal system
editorNovember 21, 2022
Texas Penal Code
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Overview of the major criminal laws of Texas, pentalty classes, and brief history of reforms.
editorNovember 21, 2022
County Commissioners Courts
![County Commissioners Court Chamber in Galveston, Texas]()
Quasi-legislative body that sets the budget, tax rate, and other policies of county governments in Texas
editorNovember 21, 2022
County Judges in Texas
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The heads of county governments in Texas are "judges" in name only, except in rural counties.
editorNovember 21, 2022
Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives
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Understanding the powerful role of the House Speaker in Texas politics
editorNovember 21, 2022
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
![Sign on a window of an office building in Austin, Texas saying "Department of Licensing and Regulation." Reflected in the window is the Governor's Mansion Across the street.]()
TDLR issues licenses to electricians, midwives, and dozens of other professions
editorNovember 21, 2022
Texas Historical Commission
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Explore a map and photos of renowned historic sites in Texas
editorNovember 21, 2022
Texas Rangers
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Understanding the role of the Texas Rangers in state law enforcement
editorNovember 21, 2022
Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles
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Paroles and pardons can give prisoners a fresh start
editorNovember 21, 2022
Texas Juvenile Justice System
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What happens when a child commits a crime? Texas law handles this is a variety of ways.
editorNovember 21, 2022
Texas’ Little-Known Right to Split Itself into 5 States
![First page of the 1845 joint resolution in the U.S. Congress to annex Texas, using old typeface.]()
Uniquely among U.S. states, Texas was admitted to the Union with a pre-approved ‘entitlement’ to further divide itself into up to five states should it choose to do so. However, exactly how this might happen – or whether such a right really still exists – is up for some debate.…
editorNovember 21, 2022
Impeachment in Texas
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Process for removing senior officials in cases of corruption or misconduct
editorNovember 21, 2022
Ad Valorem Tax
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Understanding property taxes in Texas and their role in community services
editorNovember 21, 2022
Tax Assessor-Collectors
![Photo of the door to the Tax Collector-Assessor's Office in Travis County, Texas]()
Elected county officials responsible for collecting taxes
editorNovember 21, 2022