Chapter 8 – The Texas Executive Branch – Flashcards
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1. Governor Rick Perry exerted control over the state government in a way that no other governor has. How did he do (his claims)? 236
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He was the only governor who appointed every member of the boards and commissions that run Texas government. He used the veto power to punish political opponents in the legislature, and he successfully advocated a social agenda that greatly limited access to abortion. He successfully pushed a pro-business agenda that includes tort reform, low taxes, and business-friendly regulation.
He claimed that he caused Texas to weather the Great Recession better than other states and to be a job-creating state.
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2. During which constitution was the Texas governor very powerful, and many regarded state government as oppressive and corrupt? 237
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The Reconstruction Constitution of 1869
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3. How do you describe the powers of governor of Texas compared to other chief executives in the United States?
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The power of the governor of Texas is weak compared to other chief executives in the United States.
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4. What can governors do to be powerful in spite of weaknesses of the office? 237
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1.Mobilize interest groups & editorial boards/newspapers
2.Special sessions
3.Pardon criminals/permitting fugitives to be extradited
4.Appoint people to state govt. boards/commission
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5. What are the qualifications needed to be a viable candidate for governor of Texas? 238
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•Be at least 30 years of age •Be a U.S. citizen •Live in Texas 5 years immediately before election
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6. How Texas governors were elected prior to 1974? 239
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Before 1974, Texas governors served 2 year terms
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7. Who was the first Republican governor of Texas since Reconstruction, and when was he or she elected? 238
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William Clements; 1978
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8. In Texas, why are gubernatorial elections held in off-years? 239
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To minimize the effect of presidential elections on the selection of the Texas governor
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9. Why must Texas gubernatorial candidates purchase print and electronic advertisements in 19 media markets to reach every corner of the state? 239
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Because Texas is so large.
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10. In Texas, what is the only constitutional method of removing a governor from office? 240
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Impeachment & conviction
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11. What is the ultimate check on the governor? 240
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Impeachment
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12. In Texas, if a sitting governor is unable to hold office due to impeachment and conviction, resignation, or death, who becomes governor? 242
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Lieutenant governor
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13. Who was the only Texas governor to be both impeached and convicted? 238
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James Ferguson
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14. What is the most important function of the Texas governor's staff? 244
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The staff keeps the governor informed about issues and problems facing the state, and it may suggest courses of action.
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15. What is the Texas governor's most significant and far-reaching power? 245
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The governor's power of appointment is the most significant executive power.
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16. Governor appoints people to office, who must be confirmed by __? 249
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The individual's state senator
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17. What is the best example of the Texas governor's exercise of senatorial courtesy? 249
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The appointment of Eleanor Kitzman as Texas insurance commissioner because he holds a very important office in Texas.
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18. Through what mechanism that the governor has some control over the final appropriations bill? 252
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Line-item veto
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19. What is the best example of the Texas governor's military powers?
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The governor becomes commander and chief of the National guard unit when they are not under presidential orders.
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20. The Department of Public Safety is responsible for?
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Highway traffic enforcement, driver's license, motor vehicle inspection, truck weighing stations, and Texas Rangers.
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21. List all legislative powers that Texas governors have? 251-252
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Message power, power of the veto, and the authority to call special sessions and set their agendas
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22. For a Texas governor, what is the benefit of a post-adjournment veto? 252
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It prevents the legislature from overriding the veto. Post-adjournment veto is absolute because the legislature that passed the vetoed bills no longer resists. As a result, if the governor decides to veto a bill, a stays vetoed.
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23. What is the Texas governor's greatest judicial power? 253
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The governor is responsible for appointing individuals to fill vacancies for appellate and district court judges. Through this power to appoint judges, the governor has considerable influence over the Texas judicial system.
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24. In Texas, what is the primary effect of a plural executive? 263
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It limits executive power and disperses it through several elected officials; power is fragmented because the election of statewide officeholders is independent of the election of the governor.
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26. What makes the greatest difference between strong and weak governors of Texas? 254
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How the governor conducts him- or herself in office, uses the position's formal power, and exercises political influence.
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27. Why did the Texas Constitution establish a plural executive?
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To limit executive power
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28. In Texas, which officer in the plural executive is NOT elected by voters? 254
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Secretary
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29. What is the primary task of the Texas secretary of state? 256
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The secretary of state conducts voter registration drives.
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30. List and describe the responsibilities of the lieutenant governor in Texas? 257-258
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Replacing the governor when he is out of the state or succeeding.
Cast deciding vote in the Senate when there is a tie
"Constitutional president of the Senate"
Has the right to vote and debate when the Senate sits as a whole
Signs bills and resolutions
Chair of legislative budget board
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31. Who is the chief lawyer for Texas? 259
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Attorney General
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32. Which entity in Texas has the main responsibility for collecting child-support payments? 259
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Attorney General office
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33. What is the oldest state agency in Texas? 260
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Land commissioner
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34. Which office is charged with ensuring the accuracy of official weights and measures? 260
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Department of Agriculture
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35. In Texas, what is the most important power of the state comptroller? 261
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Estimating revenues
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36. Which state office was eliminated in 1996? 261
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State treasurer
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37. In Texas, the plural executive is held accountable through what mechanisms (function/pwr)?
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To the people through elections
To the legislature through budgetary process, sunset review, and impeachment process
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38. Setting local telephone and electric rates is the responsibility of the __? 265
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Public Utilities Commission(PUC)
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39. List and describe the characteristics of the Texas Department of Insurance? 265-266
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Appointed by Governor and approved by Senate, Single-member appointive system
The purpose is to regulate the insurance market in Texas
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40. Authority over railroads throughout Texas was given to the __? When (what year)? 267
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Texas Railroad Commission; 2005
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41. What are responsibilities of the Texas State Board of Education? 267-268
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Determining the licensing requirement for public school teachers, setting a minimum high school requirements for graduation criteria for recommended or advanced curriculum, establishing standards for accreditation of public schools, and selecting public school textbooks.
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42. What is the purpose of the Sunset Advisory Commission in Texas? 269
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Evaluating and continuing need for an agency. It establishes a date on which an agency is abolished unless the legislature passes a bill for the agency to continue in operation
