question

Which of the following is an example of the coattail effect

answer

A very popular presidential candidate pulls in many voters for his party, resulting in the elections of several other members of his party running of State and local offices

question

money raised and spent to elect candidates for Congress and the White House

answer

Hard money

question

a voting district, the smallest geographic units for the conduct of elections.

answer

Precinct

question

method of nomination is most common in the United States today

answer

Direct primary

question

function of a political action committee (PAC)?

answer

To raise money to influence elections and public policy on behalf of special-interest groups

question

A primary in which any qualified voters can cast ballots

answer

Open

question

A grant of money, usually from the government, for use as campaign money

answer

subsidy

question

given to party organizations for "party-building activities

answer

soft money

question

A primary in which only declared party member can vote

answer

Closed

question

the process of narrowing the field of possible candidates for office called

answer

Nomination

question

Most elections happen on the date Congress set for national elections, which is

answer

Tuesday-after the first Monday in November of every even-numbered year

question

By what two methods can voters cast their ballots on days other than the official Election Day

answer

Absentee voting and early voting

question

Why does voting not take place on the first day of the month

answer

usually payday and dont's want people to become subject to campaign pressures

question

Every voter gets a ballot listing every candidate, regardless of party, for every nomination to be made at the primary

answer

A blanket primary is one in which

question

What is the main argument in support of open primaries

answer

They do not exclude independent voters

question

Why does voting not take place on Sunday

answer

separation of church and state

question

What is the main argument in support of closed primaries

answer

They prevent on party of "raiding" the other's primary

question

4 parts to the Australian ballot

answer

1) printed at public expense 2) lists names of all candidates 3) given out at the polls, one to each qualified voter 4) marked in secret

question

A news report lasting less than a minute is a

answer

Sound bite

question

What is a straw vote?

answer

A faulty method of gathering information by asking the same question of a large number of people

question

What is a medium?

answer

A means of communication

question

What is a mandate?

answer

Instructions or commands a constituency gives elected officials

question

What is a sample in which each member of the universe and each geographic area within it have a mathematically equal chance of being included?

answer

Random sample

question

Pollsters have difficulty measuring

answer

Intensity Stability Relevance

question

The public agenda is

answer

Societal problems that need governmental attention

question

What is a sample deliberately constructed to reflect several of the major characteristics of a given universe?

answer

Quota sample

question

A public opinion poll is a

answer

Device that attempts to collect information by asking people questions

question

Which of the following is the best example of opinion leader?

answer

talk-show host

question

Children raised by caregivers with particular political views tend to _____________ those views when they become adults

answer

Share

question

What are the basic steps in the polling process?

answer

1)Define the universe; 2) construct a sample; 3) prepare valid questions; 4) select and control a poll method; and 5) analyze and report findings

question

What term refers to attitudes held by a significant number of people on matters of government and politics?

answer

Public opinion

question

What term refers to events and issues of concern to people at large?

answer

Public affairs

question

What two factors have the biggest impact on public opinion?

answer

Schools and family

question

What term refers to the people with whom one regularly associates?

answer

Peer group

question

What term refers to communication that reaches large, widely dispersed audiences simultaneously?

answer

Mass Media

question

What is an "opinion leader?"

answer

A person who has a strong influence on the views of others

question

______________includes all of the goals that a government pursues in the many areas of human affairs in which it is involved

answer

Public policy

question

A _________________is an interest group that focuses on a particular segment of the business community.

answer

Trade association

question

What was James Madison's view of interest groups, or "factions" as he called them?

answer

He distrusted them and warned that they must be carefully controlled

question

One valid criticism of interest groups is that

answer

They sometimes wield power far out of proportion with their importance

question

A few interest groups use tactics that threaten to undermine the whole political system. Examples of such tactics are

answer

Committing bribery and making threats of revenge

question

main functions of interest groups

answer

Stimulating interest in public affairs Providing useful information to the government Keeping tabs on government activities

question

What are public affairs

answer

Those issues and events that concern the people at large

question

What is lobbying?

answer

Pressuring lawmakers in an effort to influence public policy

question

What is a grass-roots effort?

answer

A pressure from a great number of average voters

question

Pubic-interest groups seek to

answer

Institute certain public policies of benefit to all or most people in this country

question

What is one goal of a labor union?

answer

To press for government policies that will benefit its members

question

If an interest group attaches an unflattering label to discredit a public official's position on an issue, it is using a persuasive technique called

answer

Propaganda

question

groups that would most likely work to regulate the prices of dairy products?

answer

An agricultural group

question

Interest groups try to influence ________________, which includes all of the goals that a government pursues on behalf of the people

answer

Public Policy

question

Interest groups help to stimulate interest in ________________, or those issues and events that concern the people at large

answer

Public affairs

question

An interest group that concentrates its efforts on one issue, such as abortion, gun control, or health care is a

answer

Single-interest group

question

What are the three major goals of interest groups?

answer

1)To supply the public with information; 2) to build a positive image for the group; 3) to promote a particular public policy

question

The law that require all lobbyists to register and provide detailed information about their activities and clients is the

answer

Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995

question

Nominating and electing

answer

What is the electoral process?

question

The selecting of the candidates A function of each political party

answer

Nominating definition

question

Self-announcement Caucus Convention Direct Primary Petition

answer

Methods of nominating

question

Declaring yourself a candidate Oldest and simplest form Mostly done at state and local levels Includes write in candidates

answer

Self announcement

question

At first was a private group of leaders who got together to choose their candidate Used in early US history Not very democratic since few people are involved

answer

Caucus

question

Began around 1832 Very representative bc delegates in each party were chosen from one level to the next Used to have country and state conventions, but now just national

answer

Convention

question

Most widely used method today Though a party function, each state exercises much control

answer

Direct primary

question

Closed Open Blanket

answer

Three types of direct primaries

question

Only registered party members may vote

answer

Closed primary

question

All registered voters may participate You can only attend one

answer

Open primary

question

Wide open You could go to both

answer

Blanket primary

question

Mostly at local level for nonpartisan offices Requires a certain number of signatures

answer

Petition

question

Elections

answer

What is a key element to a true democracy?

question

Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even numbered years Congressional elections are every two years Presidential elections are every four years

answer

When are elections held?

question

Everyone can vote their conscience Protects the secrecy of the democracy

answer

Secret ballot

question

Remove human error Save time Guarantees secret ballot

answer

Voting machines

question

Envelope still makes it secret They can see that you voted but not how you voted Prevents voting twice

answer

Absentee voting

question

The states

answer

Who determines voting regulations?

question

When lesser candidates in a party do well because of the popularity of the presidential candidate Can also work the other way Example: Reagan's high popularity brought in other Republicans Some states have elections for state and local offices in odd numbered years to avoid this

answer

Coattail effect

question

Voting district

answer

Precinct

question

Where you go to vote

answer

Polling place

question

Volunteers on Election Day

answer

Poll watchers

question

Candidates are grouped according to the office they are seeking

answer

Office group ballot

question

Candidates are listed by party in a column Encourages straight ticket voting

answer

Party column ballot

question

$300 million $4 per voter

answer

How much did it cost to run for office in 1968?

question

$5.1 billion $49 per voter

answer

How much did it cost to run for office in 2000?

question

Small contributors Fat cats (people who are able and willing to donate thousands to a candidate) The candidates themselves PACs Fundraising groups Public subsidies (gov money)

answer

Where does the money come from?

question

Political action committees Fundraising arm of an organization

answer

What are PACs?

question

Began in 1907 Began under the FEC in 1974

answer

Federal regulation of campaign financing

question

Federal Election Commision

answer

What is the FEC?

question

Requires timely disclosure (careful accounting of all finances through one committee) Limits on national campaign contributions Limits on campaign expenditure Administers some public funding

answer

Basic FEC rules

question

$2600 limit to a candidate per election $5000 donation limit to a PAC per year $32,400 limit to any political party Corporations and labor unions can't donate to a candidate, but their PACs can

answer

Limits on national campaign contributions

question

Pre and post convention limits FEC adjusts each year to account for inflation

answer

National limits on campaign expenditure

question

$3 check off on tax forms

answer

Public campaign funding

question

Each candidate must raise $100,000 A minimum of $5000 coming from at least 20 different states Minor parties must get at least 5% of the popular vote

answer

Public campaign funding requirements

question

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

answer

Memory Verse

question

A complex collection of the opinions of many different persons and groups Each person belongs to many different publics

answer

What is public opinion?

question

Though a process called political socialization

answer

How is public opinion formed?

question

Age Race Income Occupation Residence Group affiliation

answer

Minor factors in forming public opinion

question

Family Education

answer

Most important factors in public opinion forming

question

Opinion leaders Mass media

answer

Other factors in public opinion forming

question

Elections Media Opinion polls

answer

How is public opinion measured?

question

Mold how we think Bias in the media

answer

What is the media trying to do?

question

Sometimes the loudest voice might not be the majority

answer

Vocal minority

question

Newspapers and magazines (decline) TV, radio, online (incline)

answer

Forms of media

question

Unscientific method of polling Cannot go beyond where the poll was taken

answer

Straw vote

question

People whose opinions you are seeking

answer

Universe

question

Representative piece of your universe

answer

Sample

question

Every person in your universe has mathematically equal chance of being in the sample

answer

Random sample

question

When groups in your sample are proportionate to those same groups in the universe

answer

Quota sample

question

Sample and universe Valid questions Reliable analysis Appropriate interpretations

answer

Scientific polling

question

Gallup Roper Harris

answer

Examples of scientific polls

question

People with similar views who join together to make their opinions more strongly felt Aka special interest groups Most have economic interests Some promote causes or groups

answer

Pressure Groups

question

Business Labor Agriculture Professional

answer

Economic interest pressure groups

question

Chamber of Commerce NAM (National Association of Manufacturers)

answer

Business pressure groups

question

AFL-CIO Teamsters

answer

Labor groups

question

Farm Bureau (we are farmers, dum da dum dum dum da dum) The Grange

answer

Agriculture groups

question

AMA (American Medical Association) ABA (American Bar Association) NEA (National Education Association)

answer

Professional groups

question

NOW (National Organization for Women?) NRA (National Rifle Association) Pro Life MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving)

answer

Pressure groups that promote causes

question

NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars)

answer

Pressure groups that promote people

question

Seeking to influence the passing of laws Placed under careful regulation to avoid bribery Called this bc they met with senators in the lobby

answer

Lobbying

question

On your own. I know, so hard.

answer

Review worksheets

question

1. They stimulate interest in and raise awareness of what is going on in the country. 2. They usually represent people beyond a certain geographical region. 3. They provide information about their interests to those who are in Congress. 4. They are good vehicles for political participation especially when one person would not be able to stand alone. 5. They keep our legislators accountable to the public interest. 6. They also have to negotiate with each other at times when interests collide.

answer

The good side (valuable functions) of pressure groups (6)

question

1. Some have an influence that is out of proportion to their size. 2. With some, it is hard to tell how many people they actually do represent 3. They may not actually represent the views of all their people. 4. The use of illegal or unethical tactics

answer

The bad side (criticisms) of pressure groups (4)

question

a technique of persuasion aimed at influencing individual or group behavior

answer

propaganda

question

bad, misleading

answer

Propaganda is not necessarily ____, but it's often _____.

question

1. Name calling: use of labels 2. Card-stacking: presenting only one side of an issue 3. Band wagon effect: follow the crowd 4. Testimonials: support from famous people 5. Glittering generalities: using wonderful words that sound good but have no real meaning

answer

Types of propaganda (5)

question

21 years old, citizen of Texas for two years, resident of district for one year

answer

Qualifications for House

question

150

answer

# of House members

question

31

answer

# of Senate members

question

Two years

answer

House term length

question

Four years

answer

Senate term length

question

26 years old, citizen of Texas for five years, resident of district for one year

answer

Qualifications for Senate

question

140 days

answer

Regular session length

question

30 days or less

answer

Special session length

question

20%

answer

How many bills pass after intro?

question

Speaker of the House and Lieutenant Governor

answer

Who picks where the bill is going to go?

question

Introduced in both houses, assigned to standing committee, action of standing committee, floor action, conference committee, governor

answer

How a bill becomes law:

question

Members vote

answer

What is floor action?

question

Kill, amend, or send forward

answer

Actions of Standing Committee

question

Compromises on Senate bill and House bill

answer

Conference committee

question

Governor, lieutenant governor, Secretary of State, attorney general, comptroller of public accounts, commissioner of general land office

answer

Plural executive offices

question

President of the Senate

answer

Lt gov is...

question

Administering elections and maintaining the records of debt for the state

answer

Secretary of State's job

question

Deals with the direct collection of Texas and estimates how much congress can spend

answer

Job of the Comptroller of Public Accounts

question

Manages most of the public lands in Texas

answer

Commissioner of General Land Office

question

Enforces laws relating to food inspection, disease, pest control

answer

Commissioner of Agriculture

question

Appointment (3000), budget, military, veto, special session, limited pardons, and 30 day death row reprieve

answer

Governor's powers

question

14

answer

How many courts of appeals?

question

456

answer

How many district courts?

question

503

answer

How many county courts?

question

720

answer

How many municipal courts?

question

819

answer

How many justice of the peace courts?

question

low voter turnout.

answer

One reason why Hispanics have yet to wield a significant impact on state politics is

question

The younger an individual is, the more likely that individual is to vote.

answer

Which of the following statements about voters is incorrect?

question

Tuesday after the first Monday in November of even-numbered years.

answer

General elections in Texas are held on the

question

the use of white primaries.

answer

Smith v. Allwright banned

question

Large number of elections, long length of the ballot, and lower income and education levels in Texas.

answer

Which of the following is a deterrent to higher voter turnout in Texas?

question

nominate candidates in the primary or convention and get them elected.

answer

A political party's ultimate aim is to

question

business interests.

answer

Throughout their campaigns, Texas Democratic candidates tend to mobilize all of the following groups except

question

party-column ballot.

answer

A type of ballot used in a general election where all of the candidates from each party are listed in parallel columns is called

question

Residency.

answer

Which of the following is not a demographic variable that affects turnout at the polls?

question

50 percent plus one of the votes.

answer

To win a Texas primary election, a candidate must receive

question

direct primary.

answer

A method of selecting the nominees from a political party where party members elect the candidates who represent them in the general election is known as

question

are party members

answer

A closed primary allows only those individuals who _______ to participate.

question

Open primary.

answer

What type of primary allows a voter to choose on election day which primary they will participate?

question

significantly lower

answer

Turnout in American general elections is _______ in comparison to other industrialized democracies of the world.

question

Nominate and elect their members to local public offices.

answer

Which of the following is not a function of political parties?

question

Idealism.

answer

Which of the following is not a distinct characteristic of American political parties?

question

Precinct.

answer

What is the lowest level of party organization?

question

Decentralization.

answer

_______ is the exercise of power in parties by state and local party organizations rather than by national party institutions.

question

They possess a more pessimistic view of human nature than conservatives.

answer

Which of the following statements is not true of liberals?

question

consistently supported the Republican nominee.

answer

In recent presidential elections, Texas has

question

realignment.

answer

The transition from one dominant political party in the state to another is known as

question

makes straight-ticket voting for the major parties more difficult.

answer

Minor political parties in the state prefer the office-block ballot because it

question

party platform.

answer

The formal issue positions of a political party is a

question

Economic, non-economic, and mixed interest.

answer

Which of the following is a way interest groups can be classified?

question

lobbying.

answer

Direct contact between an interest group representative and an officer of government is an example of

question

much greater participation and conflict.

answer

When a special interest is seeking a change in policy that affects the balance of power in the political, social, or economic system, there will be

question

Governor, State House of Representative, and State senator.

answer

Texas does not have term limits for which office?

question

gain control of government through popular elections.

answer

The most important goal of political parties is to

question

Individuals who have been legally declared mentally incompetent.

answer

Which individuals are legally disqualified from voting?

question

Nominating candidates for office.

answer

Which is not an interest group activity?

question

the presiding officers of the legislator.

answer

As a lobbyist you would rather have the support of

question

encouraging government regulations.

answer

Business and agriculture interest groups are interested in all of the following except

question

Hiring public relations firms, demonstrating good citizenship, and print and broadcast advertisements.

answer

Interest groups will seek to build a positive public image by which of the following means?

question

influence all branches of government at all levels.

answer

The primary goal of interest groups is to

question

Smith v. Allwright

answer

The white primary, which was the practice of excluding African Americans from Democratic Party primary elections in Texas, was found unconstitutional as a result of which court case?

question

people and government.

answer

Political parties are vital to democracy in that they provide a link between

question

Develop a campaign strategy that is narrowly focused.

answer

Since political parties are pragmatic, they will not do which of the following?

question

town.

answer

All of the following are examples of local governments in Texas except

question

Counties / Special districts / School districts

answer

_______ are creatures of the state and have only as much power as the Texas Constitution and Texas legislature grant them.

question

a plurality

answer

To win the general election, a candidate must win with _______ of the votes.

question

unitary

answer

The relationship between states and local governments follows from the fact that states have a _______ system of government.

question

general-law or home-rule

answer

Texas cities are classified as either

question

Being a nonresident of the state.

answer

Which is not a legal voting qualification in Texas?

question

5,000

answer

To become a home-rule city in Texas, a city must have a population of at least _______ residents.

question

referendum election.

answer

Voters who wish to repel an existing ordinance can petition the council to hold a(n)

question

Texas counties, like cities, have home-rule provisions.

answer

All of the following statements about county government are true except

question

30

answer

An individual must be registered at least _______ days prior to the election to be eligible to vote in Texas.

question

runoff primary

answer

A _______ is held when one of the two top contenders of a second primary did not receive a majority of the votes.

question

It is an incorporated community with a population of 5,000 or less.

answer

Which of the following statements about a general-law city is correct?

question

To lobby legislators on the behalf of the party's membership.

answer

Which of the following is not a role of political party?

question

The Texas Governor.

answer

In presidential election years, which of the following offices is not on the Texas ballot?

question

are nonpartisan elections.

answer

All special elections in the state

question

on even-numbered non-presidential years.

answer

In Texas, the governor and the lieutenant governor are generally elected

question

special elections

answer

In Texas, _______ are used to fill vacancies in office, to give approval to borrow money, or to ratify amendments to the Texas Constitution

question

choose their candidates for the general election.

answer

A Primary election is an election in which political parties

question

Presidential elections.

answer

Voter turnout in Texas is highest in which type of election?

question

second

answer

Texas has the _______ largest Hispanic population in the U.S.

question

special district

answer

A _______ is a unit of local government that performs a single service in a limited geographic area

question

254

answer

There are _______ counties in the state of Texas

question

basic government services, such as police and fire protection.

answer

Politics at the city level often revolves around issues of

question

regional

answer

The temporary campaign organization of the party includes all of the following except the _______ convention.

question

education and income.

answer

The most important factors that explain whether someone votes are

question

run-off primary.

answer

A _______ is held if no candidate receives an absolute majority of the primary vote

question

running candidates under the interest groups' names.

answer

Interest groups participate in the political process by engaging in all of the following activities except

question

influence government to adopt policies favored by the group's membership.

answer

Interest groups form to

question

Poll Taxes.

answer

In 1964, the Twenty-fourth Amendment was added to the U.S. Constitution to ban

question

be a United States citizen, be at least 18 years old on the first day of the term to be filled, and have lived in the state continuously.

answer

In Texas, a person interested in running for public office must

question

abortion

answer

All of the following are examples of valence issues except

question

Liberals

answer

_______ support government action to regulate the economy, protect human rights and achieve equality for all.

question

Conservatives

answer

_______ don't support welfare, health care aid, or employment compensation.

question

Tipping

answer

_______ is a phenomenon that occurs when a group grows large enough to change the political balance in the electorate.

question

Position

answer

_______ issues on which the public is divided.

question

15th

answer

The _______ amendment gave all male citizens the right to vote.

question

19th

answer

Women couldn't vote until 1920 when the _______ was ratified.

question

Democratic

answer

After reconstruction, Texas became a one party _______ state for 100 years.

question

general election

answer

A _______ is an election rule in which the candidate with the most votes wins regardless of whether it is a majority.

question

Realignment

answer

_______ is the transition from one dominant party system to another.

question

Partisan identification

answer

_______ is a person's attachment to one political party or the other.

question

Recall elections

answer

_______ are an election which permits voters to remove an elected official before the official's term expires.

question

Special districts

answer

_______ are sometimes called "hidden governments."

question

Plural Executive

answer

The Executive Branch in which power is fragmented because the election of statewide officeholders is independent of the election of Governor

question

Secretary of State

answer

The only statewide office in Texas that is appointed by the Governor

question

Lieutenant Governor

answer

If the Governor dies, resigns, or is impeached, who takes over?

question

Appointment power

answer

The most significant Executive Power of the Governor is

question

30

answer

How old do you have to be to be Governor of Texas

question

be balanced

answer

The Texas State Constitution requires the state to pass a biennial budget, and the budget must

question

8.25%

answer

The state income tax in Texas, including city and county rates, is?

question

state sales tax

answer

An example of a Regressive Tax is?

question

Sales Tax

answer

The number one revenue source for the state of Texas is?

question

Health and Human Services

answer

Article II of the State Appropriations Act is

question

Public Policy

answer

A dynamic, complex, and interactive system through which public problems are identified and countered by creating new policies

question

Evaluation

answer

The four steps of policy formation are: problem identification, policy formation, implementation, and

question

Ruled that state school funding was Unconstitutional

answer

Edgewood ISD vs. Kirby did what?

question

Equity in funding

answer

The three stages of Education Policy in Texas are: Segregation, ?, and Educational Excellence

question

15

answer

How many members are there on the State Board of Education?

question

Bryan City Council

answer

Buppy Simank recently won what local election?

question

Boulder, Colorado

answer

The third Republican National Debate was just held where?

question

August 1, 2016 SB 11 goes into effect

answer

State colleges are beginning to have stakeholder meetings on defining "gun free zones" on campus. Why?

question

Paul Ryan

answer

Who just recently became the new US House Speaker?

question

Bernie Sanders

answer

Who is the oldest Candidate running for president?

question

Medicaid

answer

Texas spends more on ?, than it spends on Public Education

question

Greg Abbott

answer

The Texas Governor is?

question

the appointment of friends and associates to positions of authority without proper regard for qualifications

answer

The term Cronyism means?

question

TAMU

answer

Former Governor Rick Perry graduated from what college?

question

The Texas Comptroller

answer

Who certifies the state Budget of Texas?

question

Be 30, US Citizen, reside in Texas for the prior 5 years. Informal: name, prior experience, fundraising, support from party

answer

In order to run for Governor in Texas you must:

question

Appointment = (Politics) veto legislation call special sessions push agenda

answer

The most significant Executive Power is? Legislative powers

question

States Attorney in civil cases, issues opinions, collects child support

answer

What does the Attorney General do?

question

Dispute between two parties with financial reward as the end result. Dispute between you and the state with fines, probation, jail, or execution as end result

answer

Main differences in Civil and Criminal Law?

question

Don't get paid unless you win

answer

A lawyer working on a "contingency" based outcome, means what?

question

Hears preliminary evidence in felony cases

answer

What does a Grand Jury do?

question

the highest civil court in Texas; consists of nine justices and has final state appellate authority over civil cases

answer

Texas Supreme Court

question

the highest criminal court in Texas; consists of nine justices and has final state appellate authority over criminal cases

answer

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

question

the 14 intermediate-level appellate courts that hear appeals from district and county courts to determine whether the decisions of these lower courts followed legal principles and court procedures

answer

courts of appeal

question

the major trial courts in Texas, which usually have general jurisdiction over a broad range of civil and criminal cases

answer

district courts

question

the person in each of Texas's 254 counties who presides over the county court and the county commissioner's court with responsibility for the administration of county government

answer

county judge

question

the courts that exist in some counties that are presided over by county judges

answer

county courts

question

courts that tend to hear less serious cases than those heard by district courts

answer

statutory county courts at law

question

specialized courts whose jurisdiction is limited to probate and guardianship matters

answer

statutory probate courts

question

local trial courts with limited jurisdiction over small claims and very minor criminal misdemeanors

answer

justice of the peace courts

question

local trial courts with limited jurisdiction over violations of city ordinances and very minor criminal misdemeanors

answer

municipal courts

question

regulations enacted by a city government each of Texas's incorporated cities and towns

answer

ordinance

question

a branch of law that deals with disputes, usually between private individuals over relationships, obligations, and responsibility

answer

civil law

question

the branch of law that regulates the conduct of individuals, defines crimes, and specifies punishment for criminal acts

answer

criminal law

question

the presentation of a grievance by the plaintiff in a civil case

answer

complaint

question

the presentation of a defendant's defense against an allegation in a civil case

answer

question

a fee paid to the lawyer in a civil case which is contingent on winning the case

answer

contingent fee

question

the standard of proof in a civil jury case, by which the plaintiff must show that the defendant is more likely than not the cause of the harm suffered by the plaintiff

answer

preponderance of the evidence

question

a criminal case in which the death penalty is a possible punishment

answer

capital case

question

a serious criminal offense, punishable by a prison sentence or a fine; a capital felony is possibly punishable by death

answer

felony

question

a minor criminal offense, usually punishable by a fine or a jail sentence

answer

misdemeanor

question

jury that determines whether sufficient evidence is available to justify a trial (do not rule on the accused's guilt or innocence)

answer

grand jury

question

a written statement issued by a grand jury that charges a suspect with a crime and states that a trial is warranted

answer

indictment

question

a trial held without a jury and before only a judge

answer

bench trial

question

negotiated agreement in a criminal case in which a defendant agrees to plead guilty in return for the state's agreement to reduce the severity of the criminal charge or prison sentence the defendant is facing

answer

plea bargain

question

the legal standard in criminal cases, which requires the prosecution to prove that a reasonable doubt of innocence does not exist

answer

beyond a reasonable doubt

question

referring to an appellate hearing with all judges particpating

answer

en banc

question

an election in which voters decide whether to keep an incumbent in office by voting "yes" or "no" to retain the incumbent where there is not opposing candidate

answer

retention election

question

a judicial reform under which judges would be nominated by a blue-ribbon committee, would be appointed by the governor, and after, a brief period in office, would run in a retention election

answer

merit selection

question

a judicial reform that places limits on judicial campaign contributions

answer

Judicial Campaign Fairness Act

question

biennially in odd-numbered years for no more than 140 days

answer

Regular sessions of the Texas Legislature occur

question

31 Texas senators are elected for four-year staggered terms; 150 representatives are elected for two-year terms

answer

What are the numbers and terms for office for members of the Texas legislature?

question

Texans believe that the legislature does more good than harm; therefore, a longer session is better

answer

Which of the following is not an argument against having short-term biennial sessions in Texas?

question

All of these choices are true

answer

Which group is underrepresented in the legislature relative to their percentages in the general population

question

The legislature may summon itself into veto override session if four-fifths of the members petition to do so

answer

The Texas Constitution does not include which of the following in its language regarding special legislative sessions?

question

single-member districts.

answer

All Texas legislators are elected using

question

Interpreting laws and giving advisory opinions

answer

Which of the following is not a power of the presiding officers of the legislature?

question

He or she received a constitutional salary of $46,000 per year in 2010

answer

Which of the following is not correct regarding the lieutenant governor of Texas?

question

the majority of the membership of the house

answer

The Texas Constitution requires the speaker of the house to be selected by

question

Calendars

answer

Which of the following is used to control the flow of legislation from the committees to the floor of the Texas House

question

standing committees

answer

Subcommittees are divisions of

question

A bill placed early on the senate calendar each session

answer

What is a blocking bill?

question

Filibuster, Chubbing

answer

The methods that can be used to delay a legislative measure in the senate and house are ________ and ______, respectively

question

10 days

answer

Governor has ______ days to sign a bill or veto it after a legislature send a bill to him/her.

question

gerrymandering

answer

Drawing legislative district lines to diminish or enhance the power of one political party or of one racial or ethnic group is known as

question

Quorum

answer

The requirement that two-thirds of the members of a chamber must be present in order to conduct legislative business on the floor is known as which of the following?

question

the bill will go to a conference committee

answer

When the two chambers pass a bill with different language in each version,

question

Personally and formally introducing a bill in the legislature

answer

Which of the following is NOT a means in which the governor influences the legislative process?

question

True

answer

Texas operates with a two-year budget

question

True

answer

Texas is no longer subject to the preclearance requirements of the Voting Rights Act

question

Four years per term, with no limit on the number of terms

answer

Which of the following statements best describes a Texas governor's term in office?

question

Lieutenant governor

answer

If the office of the governor is vacated, who assumes the office?

question

legislature

answer

The salary of the governor is determined by the

question

The Texas Constitution

answer

Which of the following does not provide an opportunity for the governor to have greater influence on both the legislative and administrative policy

question

prior experience as a legislator

answer

The governor's ability to influence the making and executing of government policy depends on all the following except his or her

question

Fragmented

answer

Which term best describes the executive branch?

question

Senatorial courtesy

answer

___________ is the tradition of allowing a senator to reject the governor's appointment of a political enemy from the senator's district.

question

The vast majority of bills are passed and sent to the governor during the early days of the session so that he or she has plenty of time to veto them

answer

Which statement about the legislature's power to override bills vetoed by the governor is incorrect?

question

pocket veto

answer

The Texas governor has never been allowed to use the

question

Remove funds for specific items or projects without killing the entire bill

answer

An item veto allows the governor to do which of the following?

question

weaker executive and administrative powers

answer

Compared to those of other states, the governor of Texas has

question

governor

answer

Once a special session of the legislature has been called, the agenda is determined by the

question

bureaucracy

answer

The system of officials and their employees administering or managing government policies and programs is called

question

the governor shares executive power with several other independently elected executives and boards

answer

Texas has a plural executive, which means that

question

Elected officials are directly responsible to the governor

answer

Which statement about Texas's executive branch is incorrect?

question

Coordinating pesticide management policies and programs

answer

Which of the following is not a responsibility of the Texas commissioner of agriculture?

question

Secretary of State

answer

Which of the following executive officers is not legally independent of the governor?

question

members of the State Board of Education

answer

All of the following are appointed by the governor except

question

Clientele interest groups

answer

_________ is/are most concerned with the laws and policies being administered by a government agency.

question

whistle-blowers

answer

Government employees who expose bureaucratic excesses, blunders, corruption, or favoritism are called

question

sufficient evidence that jurors will believe the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt

answer

To prove a defendant guilty in a criminal case, the state must provide

question

Original jurisdiction

answer

_________ is the power to try a case being heard for the first time

question

review of law as applied in the original court

answer

Appellate proceedings are based on

question

Municipal

answer

Which of the following courts is included in a city's charter?

question

traffic and parking violations

answer

The vast majority of cases heard by municipal courts involve

question

low

answer

Public confidence in justice of the peace courts is

question

well informed in the law of the state.

answer

The Texas Constitution requires that the county judge be elected by voters for a four-year term and be

question

chief trial courts

answer

District courts are often described as the _________ of the state, and as a group these courts are called the general trial courts.

question

Must have an experience as a judge in a lower court

answer

Which of the following is not a qualification to become a district court judge?

question

felony cases.

answer

District court is an original jurisdiction of

question

8

answer

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has one presiding judge and _________ other judges

question

dual

answer

Texas has a __________ system of courts of last resort

question

Court of Criminal Appeals

answer

Which court has exclusive jurisdiction over automatic appeals in death penalty cases?

question

determine if there is sufficient evidence to bring the accused to trial

answer

The purpose of a grand jury is to

question

12

answer

How many members serve in the grand juries in Texas?

question

Ruling in death penalty cases

answer

Which of the following is not an original jurisdiction of the Texas Supreme Court?

question

Missouri plan

answer

The merit plan for selecting judges is sometimes referred to as the

question

Partisan election

answer

Texas officially uses which method to select state judges?

question

merit

answer

Most states use the __________ system to select their judges

question

Judges elections are nonpartisan.

answer

Which of the following is not a criticism of the Texas method of selecting judges?

question

public morality

answer

Civil law deals with all of the following except

question

plaintiff

answer

In a civil case, the individual filing the case is referred to as the

question

Statutory

answer

Which law has been passed by the legislature and is written in codebooks?

question

Tort reform

answer

Efforts to limit liability in civil cases is called

question

No-fault insurance

answer

What kind of insurance plan allows the insured person to collect from the individual's own insurance company regardless of who is at fault in a vehicular accident?

question

Public morality

answer

Criminal law is concerned with

question

Driving while intoxicated

answer

Which of the following is not an example of a victimless crime?

question

All these choices are true

answer

Which of the following statements about crime in Texas is correct?

question

All of these choices are ture

answer

Which of the following is more likely to be a victim of a crime?

question

Due process

answer

What legal procedure guarantees fairness before the government may deprive a person of life, liberty, or property?

question

Arraignment

answer

A prisoner's initial appearance before a magistrate is called

question

Criminals are still punished to the full measure of their crime

answer

Which of the following is not an explanation given by prosecutors for agreeing to plea bargains?

question

Parole

answer

Which of the following allows many inmates to serve the remainder of their sentences under supervision in the community?

question

Recidivism

answer

Which of the following is not a stated purpose of Texas jails and penitentiaries?

question

Texas follows through to execute a larger share of its death row prisioners

answer

Texas executes more convicted capital felony inmates because

question

Attend school

answer

Juvenile offender, released on parole or sentenced to probation, would most likely be required to

question

Substantial revision of Article V of the Texas Constitution

answer

Implementing reforms in the method and procedure for selecting Texas judges would likely require

question

Errors made in the application of the law by a lower court

answer

The role of the Texas courts of appeal is to look for

question

False

answer

Appeal to Texas Supreme Court controlled by "rule of five"

question

True

answer

Criminal behavior resulting in re-imprisonment after release is a definition of "recidivism"

question

Policymakers prioritize the various problems facing the state.

answer

Which of the following accurately describes the agenda setting step in the policymaking process?

question

Taxes on activities such as cigarettes and gambling

answer

The authors note several different types of taxes. Which of the following describes the sin tax?

question

increase the number of toll roads but not increase the tax revenue for highways.

answer

The taxation approach of the Texas Legislature regarding highways and toll roads is to

question

The income tax

answer

Which of the following is not a tax levied on Texans by their state?

question

income from the Permanent School Fund.

answer

The state's largest source of investment income is

question

Grants from the federal government make up around 40 percent of the state's revenue.

answer

Texas relies on other sources of revenue than taxes. Which of the following is accurate regarding these other sources of revenue?

question

the same as the motor vehicle sales, rental, or lease taxes.

answer

The state general sales tax is

question

State agencies follow up on the actions of elected officials, and bureaucratic agencies develop rules and regulations.

answer

Which of the following accurately describes the policy implementation step in the policymaking process?

question

stimulate

answer

Subsidies are incentives designed to _______ the production or purchase of certain goods.

question

intentionally moves benefits from one group to another; does not intentionally target one specific group of society

answer

Whereas redistributive policy _________, distributive policy ____________.

question

The revenue lost from eliminating the lottery would mean spending cuts or raising other taxes.

answer

Although unpopular among many groups, why does the lottery remain a revenue source for Texas?

question

Redistributive policy

answer

The authors list three types of policies at the beginning of Chapter 13. Which of the following is a type of policy mentioned?

question

Policymakers take formal governmental administrative action.

answer

Which of the following accurately describes the policy adoption step in the policymaking process?

question

Taxes on products and activities that legislators would like to discourage

answer

Which of the following describe sin taxes?

question

Oil and gas taxes

answer

What is the primary source of Texas's "Rainy Day Fund?"

question

comptroller

answer

A bill cannot be considered passed by the legislature unless the ___________ has authorized that the amount to be spent by the bill is available.

question

The Texas Constitution requires a balanced budget, thus limiting debt

answer

The authors describe Texas as a "pay-as-you-go" state. What does the phrase "pay as you go" mean?

question

The sales tax

answer

Which of the following do the authors cite as an example of a regressive form of taxation?

question

Texas takes a regressive approach to taxation due to the reliance on the sales tax.

answer

Which of the following characteristic is accurate regarding regressive taxation?

question

A tax on the extraction of natural resources

answer

The authors note several different types of taxes. Which of the following describes the severance tax?

question

attempts to influence governmental decisions.

answer

An interest group____________.

question

Wealthier people are more likely than those from lower socioeconomic groups to join interest groups.

answer

Which of the following is a true statement that provides evidence of class bias in the interest group system in Texas?

question

Americans have a long-standing belief in collective action.

answer

Which statement best describes collective action in the United States?

question

Most people have access to the political process through the leaders of the groups to which they belong.

answer

Which statement is consistent with the pluralist theory of politics?

question

Policy decisions are made by a few individuals.

answer

Which statement is consistent with the elitist theory of politics?

question

Divide the powers of government.

answer

According to James Madison, which of the following is part of the cure for the "mischief of factions"?

question

Meeting with legislators.

answer

Which of the following is considered direct lobbying?

question

To get access to policy makers.

answer

Why do interest groups contribute money to political candidates?

question

Federal campaign finance laws are stricter than Texas's laws.

answer

Which statement accurately describes campaign finance laws in the United States?

question

Many business interests organize to influence public policy through trade associations.

answer

Which statement best describes the business lobby in Texas?

question

Different educational associations sometimes seek conflicting interests and goals.

answer

Which of the following statements about lobbying on behalf of education in Texas is accurate?

question

works to counter the Christian right.

answer

The Texas Freedom Network ________________.

question

A cohesive group that has a clear policy goal.

answer

Which of the following groups is most likely to be successful?

question

They have difficulty raising money.

answer

Which statement about groups that represent low-income people is true?

question

Sponsoring research and disseminating the findings through public relations campaigns.

answer

How do interest groups try to educate the public?

question

Factions that could tyrannize minorities.

answer

What did James Madison warn about in The Federalist Papers?

question

Environmental group.

answer

People who join an interest group for the sense of personal satisfaction one gets from advancing a worthwhile cause are likely to join which type of group?

question

a collective of individuals with shared interests who work for political change that they would be unlikely to achieve on their own.

answer

Interest groups are best seen as _________________.

question

It comprises approximately 5 percent of the Texas Workforce.

answer

Which statement about organized labor in Texas is true?

question

The Sierra Club.

answer

Which group is an example of a public interest group?

question

Drafting legislation.

answer

Which of the following is a tactic frequently used by interest groups to influence the policy making process?

question

Texas has a proliferation of different interest groups.

answer

Which of the following pieces of evidence supports the pluralist theory of interest groups?

question

By capturing the public's attention, which then captures lawmakers' attention.

answer

How are protests and marches most likely to influence government policy?

question

LULAC (League of Latin American Citizens)

answer

Which of these is a minority interest group?

question

Sponsoring advertising campaigns.

answer

How do groups try to influence public opinion?

question

Expertise in policy matters and personal relationships with legislators.

answer

What advantages do former legislators have as lobbyists?

question

All organizations inevitably will become dominated by a few individuals.

answer

What is stated by the iron rule of oligarchy?

question

An interest group with geographically isolated support.

answer

Which of the following interest groups is most likely to be successful?

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