Honors Govt 2306 Pre-test 2 (ch 1-3) – Flashcards

Article I of the Texas Constitution a) contains the Texas Bill of Rights. b) renounces the use of the death penalty. c) recognizes the supremacy of the national government. d) accepts the principle of rapprochement.

In 1999, plans for a new constitution, known as the Ratliff-Junnell Proposal, included all of the following EXCEPT a) term limits for representatives and senators. b) gubernatorial appointment for all district and appellate judges. c) creation of a 15-day "veto session" where the legislature could consider overriding any vetoes cast by the governor in the previous legislative session. d) mandating that the legislature meet full time, with legislative sessions occurring each year.

Texas adopted its third constitution in 1845 in response to a) gaining its independence. b) statehood. c) secession. d) Reconstruction.

The Constitution of 1836 differed from the Constitution of Coahuila y Tejas because it included constitutional protection for a) community property. b) slavery. c) homestead protections. d) debtor relief.

The Constitution of 1836, which established the government of the Republic of Texas, resembled the U.S. Constitution because it a) called for universal suffrage, regardless of race or gender. b) was brief and flexible, and established a bicameral legislature and three branches of government. c) included provisions about community property, homestead exemptions, and debtor relief. d) established a unicameral legislature whose leader also ran the executive branch.

The Constitution of 1861 was written a) by Sam Houston, who served as governor at the time. b) to guide Texas's entry into the Confederate States of America. c) primarily to abolish slavery in the state. d) to increase the power of government in accord with modern progressive principles.

The Constitution of 1869 included which of the following elements? a) the incorporation of Fourteenth Amendment guarantees of equality before the law. b) gubernatorial power to appoint judges. c) a reduction in the umber of state supreme court judges. d) All of these are correct.

The Constitution of 1876 was a reaction to the Reconstruction Constitution of 1869 because the 1869 constitution a) was too short. b) gave too much power to agricultural interests. c) was written by those who were loyal to the Confederacy during the Civil War. d) was seen as giving the governor too much power.

The Grange was a) an organization of militant farmers that worked for improved conditions for farmers in the late 1800s. b) one of the original geographic areas of Texas. c) an interest group that was established to counter the rising power of the Tea Party. d) the name of the original Texas constitution.

The Texas Bill of Rights a) guarantees some rights not found in the U.S. Bill of Rights. b) duplicates the U.S. Bill of Rights. c) is unusual, since state constitutions generally do not have bills of rights. d) guarantees gay marriage.

The Texas Constitution features a) a unitary executive, in which the governor appoints all members of the executive branch. b) a consultative executive, in which the governor may appoint members of the executive branch who are recommended by the state house and confirmed by the state senate. c) a plural executive, in which power is fragmented because the election of statewide officeholders is independent of the governor. d) an appointed executive, in which the state legislature elects statewide officeholders such as the attorney general and comptroller.

The Texas Constitution is one of the most amended constitutions in the United States. The state legislature has proposed __________ amendments, while __________ have been approved by the electorate a) 675; 483 b) 282; 3 c) 582; 550 d) 94; 27

The Texas Constitution provides for a state legislature with __________ members in the Senate and __________ members in the House. a) 100; 435 b) 31; 150 c) 50; 100 d) 435; 100

The Texas Constitution requires that Texas judges a) be appointed by the governor. b) be senior lawyers. c) be elected by the people. d) cannot receive campaign contributions.

The Texas constitution includes all of the following elements EXCEPT a) separation of powers. b) checks and balances. c) a guarantee of individual rights. d) a necessary and proper clause.

The current Texas constitution was written a) when Reconstruction ended in the 1870s. b) when the Compromise of 1850 was adopted. c) at the start of World War I in 1914. d) in 1999.

The present Texas constitution a) is well organized and well written. b) is brief and flexible. c) delegates a great deal of power to the governor. d) severely limits the power of the governor and other state officials.

Those who wrote the Constitution of 1876 wanted to return control of government to the people. By "the people" they meant all a) adult citizens of Texas. b) adult male citizens of Texas. c) adult white male citizens of Texas. d) citizens except carpetbaggers and scalawags.

Which of the following is an important function of a state constitution? a) establishing relations between a state and foreign governments b) authorizing the governor to impose martial law when he or she deems necessary c) allowing the government to intrude in the lives of businesses and individuals d) legitimizing state political institutions by explaining the source of their power and authority

Those responsible for writing the various constitutions for the State of Texas have been concerned about a) granting broad discretionary power to state officeholders to achieve their goals. b) placing undue limits on the discretionary power of state officeholders to achieve their goals. c) ensuring that a diverse section of Texas citizens serve in elected office. d) making the constitution too long and detailed