Government Test 3 – Flashcards
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A senator can attempt to delay or impede a bill's passage by speaking on the floor as long as physically possible, which is called
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filibustering.
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Functions of the Texas legislature include all of the following, except
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appointing state judges.
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The lieutenant governor also functions as the state's
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president of the Senate.
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When the House and Senate pass a bill with different language in each version,
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the bill will go to a House-Senate conference committee.
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The redistricting practice of drawing legislative districts to favor one group or party is called
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gerrymandering.
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The primary function of the state auditor is to
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determine if state funds have been spent by the state agencies in accordance with law.
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Which of the following is not a power accorded to the lieutenant governor by the Texas Constitution or Senate rules?
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Voting on all bills before the Senate
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After its first reading in the House of Representatives, a bill is
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referred to the appropriate committee.
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Which of the following is true of members of the Texas House of Representatives?
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They serve terms of two year terms with no term limits.
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Most of the governor's board and commission appointments to head state agencies must be submitted and approved by
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at least two-thirds of the Senate.
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All Texas Senate seats are up for election every 10 years because
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Senate district lines are redrawn every 10 years.
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Legislative redistricting for both houses in Texas routinely occurs
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the first odd-numbered year in a decade.
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In Texas, the second 30 days of the legislative session are mainly reserved for
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standing committee action on bills.
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In the Texas House, a committee that considers legislation and recommends whether it should or should not pass is called a(n)
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substantive (standing) committee.
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Representatives occasionally engage in lengthy debates on bills, including bills that they do not oppose. This delaying action is called
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chubbing.
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Which of the following is not true regarding special sessions of the Texas legislature?
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They are limited to three per year.
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Compared to legislators in other states, those in Texas receive
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low pay, reasonable allowances, and generous retirements.
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Regular sessions of the Texas legislature meet for
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140 days, in odd-numbered years.
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The Texas Enterprise Fund is an example of the governor using the power of state government to pursue​
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​economic development.
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Which of the following is true of a governor's informal power?​
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It stems from popularity with the public and is based on traditions, symbols, and ceremonies.
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The governor's legislative powers include all the following, except
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appointing the chairs of legislative committees.
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Which executive official represents the state in civil court, issues advisory opinions on legal questions, and enforces child support orders?
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The Texas attorney general
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Administering the state's tax system, and acting as its treasurer is the job of the Texas
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comptroller of public accounts.
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The governor of Texas is constitutionally allowed to serve
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unlimited terms.
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It is common for governors to repay major contributors to their election campaigns with​
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​appointments to key policymaking positions.
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In legislative matters, the governor of Texas
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has absolute veto power without challenge once the legislature has adjourned.
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The constitutional role of "commander-in-chief" allows the Texas governor to use the Texas National Guard and State Guard to do all the following, except
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deploy military forces overseas.
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The Texas Veteran's Land Board and state veterans cemeteries fall under the office of the
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Texas land commissioner.
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Which of the following is not a role of the Texas agriculture commissioner?
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Leasing public lands for mineral exploitation
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Which of the following is not a role of the Texas land commissioner?
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Administering the state's severance taxes
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The constitutionally weak executive structure in Texas shows the influence of anti-Reconstruction forces that opposed the policies of
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E. J. Davis.
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When the governor consults with a senator from an appointee's home district to obtain support for a nomination, the governor is respecting the tradition of
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senatorial courtesy.
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The main judicial power of the governor of Texas is
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filling vacancies arising in state, district, and appellate courts.
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Which official is responsible for ensuring that gas pumps, grocery store scales, and other meters are accurate?
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Texas commissioner of agriculture
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If an oil company wants to drill on public land, from whom would it secure the drilling lease?
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Commissioner of the General Land Office
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To gain support for their legislative agendas, Texas governors rely on all the following, except their
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strong constitutional powers.
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State agencies within Texas were created by the
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Texas Constitution and Texas legislature.
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Fragmentation of the Texas executive branch into independent agencies was done by various legislatures to
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avoid the issue of power becoming too centralized.
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The Lone Star Card is used by a recipient of public assistance
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to obtain food items in a grocery store.
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Decisions by local school boards and superintendents are primarily shaped by
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state rules.
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Which of the following makes policies that affect independent school districts and approves textbooks for public schools?
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State Board of Education
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State agencies are occasionally reorganized, merged, or abolished under a process called
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sunset review.
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Which interests tend to benefit most from Texas business and regulatory policies?​
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Business
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Elimination of government restrictions and allowing free market forces to prevail is called
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deregulation.
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Environmental policies in Texas are coordinated by the
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Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
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Under the "rule of capture," underground water is controlled by
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individual landowners.
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The purpose of the payroll tax collected by the Texas Workforce Commission is to
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provide unemployment compensation
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Under the national Affordable Care Act​, Texas
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refused federal funds for Medicaid expansion and has one of the highest rates of uninsured citizens of all the states.
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Colleges and universities in Texas are most influenced by the
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Higher Education Coordinating Board.
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Electric providers in Texas are regulated by the
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Public Utilities Commission.
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A system that hires employees based on their expertise and competency is called a
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merit system.
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Because of its growing population, industry, and irrigation-based agriculture, Texas faces serious shortages of
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water
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In response to a shortage of highway funding, Texas has attempted to
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shift to additional privately constructed toll roads.
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The Texas commissioner of education gets into office as a result of an appointment by the
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Texas governor, with confirmation by the Texas Senate.
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Which of the following is not a function that interest groups perform in Texas?
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Writing party platforms
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The system of politics in Texas can be described as one with
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weak parties and strong interest groups.
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Members of the Texas Ethics Commission are selected by the
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Texas governor
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Which of the following is true regarding labor organizations in Texas?​
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​Labor groups are not as numerous or as powerful as business-related groups in Texas.
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Which of the following techniques do interest groups use to influence policy decisions?
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All of these choices are techniques used by interest groups.
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Which of the following statements best explains campaign finance laws for candidates running for a seat in the Texas legislature?
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There is no limit on how much a PAC may contribute directly to a campaign.
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Common Cause of Texas is an example of
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a public interest group.
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A lobbyist is an individual who
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attempts to influence the decision making of lawmakers.
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The Christian Coalition would be most likely to promote which of the following?
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Banning same-sex marriage
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Which of the following is the most commonly employed strategy of influencing legislation?
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Providing the legislator with relevant information
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Which of the following goals would a business organization be least likely to pursue?
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Increased safety and environmental standards
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Interest groups organized to promote policies that maximize profits and wages for their members are known as
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​economic interest groups.
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Ethics laws prohibit a candidate or official from receiving a contribution inside
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the Texas state capitol building.
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Which of the following would not be among the interest groups that Texas legislators identify as most powerful?​
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Public interest groups advocating campaign finance reform
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Which of the following is an example of an electioneering technique?
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Coordinating a "Get Out the Vote" (GOTV) campaign
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The political term grassroots refers to activity that
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begins locally and spreads to broader areas.
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Which of the following generalizations regarding interest group leadership is correct?
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Interest group decisions are usually made by an active minority of the membership.
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The decentralized structure of Texas politics and governance __________ the ability of interest groups to influence public policy.
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increases
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Which of the following is not a responsibility of the Texas Ethics Commission?
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Setting legal limits on campaign contributions
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The device by which a corporation may contribute money to a political candidate is
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through a political action committee
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Over the years criticism has been leveled at the Health and Human Services Commission and the Texas attorney general for
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a lack of drive in pursuing nursing home violations.
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Which of the following is not a responsibility of the Texas Education Agency?
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It creates attendance zones for individual public elementary and secondary schools.
