In general, after you finish reading and studying this chapter, you should understand the following:
- the historical and constitutional roots of the legislative branch, its evolution from its roots in Mexico to its contemporary structure
- the structure of legislative branch under the Texas Constitution and how legislators perform their duties under the state constitution
- legislative membership and representing the people, how legislators are elected, and legislators personal and political characteristics
- how the Texas legislature is organized, including ways the leadership and opposition organize and operate
- the law-making and budgeting function of the legislature
- how Texas legislators make decisions and how their voting choices are influenced
- the relationship between the legislature and the governor and how the governor influences the legislature
