Laura Jackson, Ph.D.

On March 2, 1836, Texas declared its independence from Mexico, marking the birth of the Republic of Texas.

Frustrated by living under the rule of President Santa Anna, Texians and Tejanos sought self-governance, culminating in the Texas Revolution. The Battle of the Alamo and the Goliad Massacre fueled the fight, leading to Sam Houston’s decisive victory at the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836.

Texas remained an independent republic for nearly a decade before joining the United States in 1845, cementing our legacy of fierce independence and self-determination.

Citizen legislature: A reflection of Texas independence

Today, Texans remain proud of our independent nature, and our government reflects that spirit. Texas is one of only 10 states governed by a citizen legislature, meaning lawmakers serve part-time, meeting only 140 days every two years, and receiving minimal compensation. (There’s an old joke around the Capitol that it would be better if they met two days every 140 years, but alas, the current rules are enshrined in the Texas Constitution.)

This system ensures those crafting our laws must live under them just like the people they represent, reinforcing the principle of limited government that has defined Texas since its founding. Just as the pioneers of Texas fought for self-governance, our legislative structure is designed to keep power in the hands of the people, emphasizing accountability, fiscal responsibility, and local control. In some ways, it even relies on peer pressure — our local legislators must come home and go to the grocery store just like us!

A weak governorship by design, but changing by action

Texas’ independent spirit is reflected not only in our citizen legislature but also in the intentionally weak governorship outlined in the Texas Constitution. Unlike many states where the governor wields significant power, Texas spreads executive authority across multiple independently elected officials, ensuring no single person can dominate state government. This plural executive system means that key offices — like the Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and Comptroller — operate separately, preventing centralized control.

Even the governor’s ability to influence the Legislature is limited. The real power in lawmaking has historically lied with the Lieutenant Governor, who presides over the Senate, and the Speaker of the House, both of whom control the legislative agenda. While the governor can veto bills, lawmakers can override that veto with a two-thirds vote — though, given Texas’ biennial sessions, a well-timed veto often sticks.

This system was designed to ensure power remains checked and distributed, reinforcing Texas’ legacy of self-reliance and local control — a government built not on top-down rule but on independent leadership at every level.

However, recent political actions may prove to increase the Governor’s influence over legislation. As has been extensively documented, current Texas Gov. Greg Abbott heavily influenced state representative campaigns across Texas, contributing millions of dollars and personally campaigning on behalf of challengers to incumbents who opposed his signature school choice/voucher legislation during the 2023 legislative session. His involvement helped flip 11 of the 15 state rep races in which he participated, meaning he will have legislators more ideologically aligned with him and who owe a debt of gratitude to him for helping them win office.

It all comes down to the purse strings

The final way in which our government exemplifies a Texas-sized independent streak is how we budget for our state government. In 1949, as government expenditures started increasing, the Texas Legislature created the Legislative Budget Board to continuously review state spending. This group of lawmakers clearly understood the Golden Rule, though not the one you or I learned in Sunday School. The golden rule they recognized was, “Those who have the gold make the rules.”

Therefore, unlike in many states where a strong executive plays a dominant role in crafting the budget, in Texas, the power of the purse belongs firmly to the Legislature — specifically, the aforementioned Legislative Budget Board (LBB), a group controlled by the Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the House. This means the state’s budget is shaped not by one person but by a group of elected officials who must answer directly to their constituents.

Texas also operates under a constitutionally required balanced budget — meaning lawmakers can’t simply spend more than they bring in. The independently elected Comptroller of Public Accounts plays a key role in this process, certifying how much revenue the state can spend. If the Legislature wants to pass a budget that exceeds available funds, it must get a supermajority vote, a rare occurrence in a state that prides itself on fiscal restraint.

This system reflects Texas’ deep-rooted belief in self-reliance and financial discipline, ensuring that lawmakers, like the rest of us, must live within their means.

A final word: Texas independence in action

Much like the Texians of 1836, Texas still operates with an independent streak, continuing to function under a citizen legislature that has the power of the purse strings, but that now must contend with a politically powerful though institutionally weak governor. It will be interesting to watch this legislative session as Governor Abbott asserts his independence.

So Happy Texas Independence Day! And don’t forget — you can purchase fireworks to celebrate this occasion thanks to former East Texas State Rep. James White, who made it legal to do so in 2016.