NPR newsmagazine Texas Standard published some interesting facts about the Texas state constitution this week. For example, many Texans believe that the Lone Star State has a constitutional right to secede from the U.S. whenever it feels like it. This is a myth.
However, if you want to hold public office in Texas, you have to believe in God. No matter if you’re the governor or the town dog catcher—if you were elected, in the words of the constitution, you must “acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being.” Another little known fact: In Texas, credit card companies cannot garnish your wages to collect on a bad debt.
And while Texas can’t constitutionally secede, it can break itself up into smaller states if it wants. In fact, at one time the state wanted to divide itself along the Colorado River. The new southwest territory would’ve been called Lincoln and the northeast part would be Texas.
Listen to Texas Standard's story below: