When it comes to the government industry, Texas state jobs have a lot to offer.

According to the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, Texas's government industry employed 1,754,600 people in June 2008, an increase of 1.1 percent over the previous year. The Texas Workforce Commission states Texas employed 146,650 people in the state government industry in 2004, and that number is expected to reach 164,750 by 2014, an increase of 12.3 percent.

The TWC notes the government industry grew by 13,500 jobs, or .8 percent, in June 2008. This was the largest one month gain for government employment since October 2002.

The Texas state government sector consists of establishments of state government agencies that administer, oversee and manage public programs and have executive, legislative or judicial authority over other institutions. The agencies also set policy, create laws, adjudicate civil and criminal legal cases and provide for public safety and national defense.

According to Texas Industry Profiles, the average weekly wage in 2005 for a person employed in the state government industry was from $619 to $1,005. The makeup of the industry is: 7 percent administration of economic programs, 9 percent executive, legislative and general government, 64 percent justice, public order and safety activities, 12 percent administration of human resource programs and 8 percent administration of environmental programs.

Texas has a plural executive branch, which limits the power of the governor. All executive officers are elected independently, except the secretary of state, making them answer to the public instead of the governor. This also makes it possible for the branch to be split between parties.

The executive branch consists of the governor, lieutenant governor, comptroller of public accounts, land commissioner, attorney general, agriculture commissioner, Texas railroad commission, state board of education and secretary of state.

The legislative branch consists of the House of Representatives, with 150 members, and the Senate, with 31 members. The speaker of the House leads the House, while the lieutenant governor leads the Senate. The legislature meets twice per year, and the governor can call for special sessions.

The state's judicial system consists of many layers and overlapping jurisdictions. The two highest courts are the Texas Supreme Court for civil cases and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The Texas Ranger Division of the Texas Department of Public Safety continues to provide special law enforcement services. Texas game wardens, law enforcement officers employed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, have the same level of authority as standard law enforcement officers.

Labels: Texas state jobs