GOVT 2306 Exam 3 Chapters 7,11,12 – Flashcards
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In Texas, who can write a bill? only a member of the legislature the legislature or someone officially authorized by the legislature any government official Correct Response anyone at all only the legislature and/or governor
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anyone at all
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Which of the following is not a legislative power of the Texas governor? calling special sessions signing or vetoing bills setting an agenda in the State of the State address Correct Response removing, for suitable cause, the Speaker or lieutenant governor visiting with legislators to obtain their votes on a bill
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removing, for suitable cause, the Speaker or lieutenant governor
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In Texas, the governor's State of the State address is an example of the ______ power. special session veto Correct Response message impeachment media
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message
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As in the U.S. Congress, what is the purpose of a conference committee in the Texas legislature? It is a committee in which members of both houses meet informally with the governor's representatives to set the agenda for an upcoming session. Correct Response It is a committee designed to make differing House and senate versions of the same bill identical. It is the committee that establishes the rules for floor debate in the House. It is another name for a standing committee. It is used by each political party to develop its legislative strategy before each session.
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It is a committee designed to make differing House and senate versions of the same bill identical.
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When the governor strikes out specific spending provisions in large appropriations bills, it is called pigeonholing. the pocket veto. Correct Response the line-item veto. the post-adjournment veto. an expenditure veto.
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the line-item veto.
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Who has responsibility for redistricting the Texas delegation to the U.S. Congress? Correct Response the Texas legislature the governor the governor, along with the Texas Senate the U.S. Congress
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the Texas legislature
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The agenda for special sessions in the Texas legislature are set by the lieutenant governor and the Texas Speaker of the House. Correct Response governor. Texas supreme court. chair of the joint committee on special sessions. governor, with approval from the lieutenant governor
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governor.
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What is the function of the "local and consent" calendar? It marks the date by which legislators must vote on specific bills. It is the calendar for all private bills sponsored by members of the legislature. Correct Response It is reserved for uncontroversial bills that are not expected to have major opposition. It describes the voting schedule for those bills that require approval by both the legislature and local communities. It is the calendar for bills that only deal with the procedural rules of the legislature.
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It is reserved for uncontroversial bills that are not expected to have major opposition.
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Which of the following is not a nonlegislative power of the Texas legislature? the power of impeachment the power to investigate financial mismanagement in a state agency the power to formally count the election returns in the governor's race Correct Response the power to overturn state supreme court decisions with a two-thirds majority the power to supervise the behavior of executive branch agencies
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the power to overturn state supreme court decisions with a two-thirds majority
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One of the most notable effects of bicameralism in the Texas legislature is that it speeds up the process of legislation by dividing the labors between two separate institutions. works to the benefit of the more densely populated urban areas. allows for sparsely populated rural counties to receive more of a voice in the legislature. Correct Response permits more opportunities to kill or significantly modify a bill. allows more bipartisan support for most bills.
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permits more opportunities to kill or significantly modify a bill.
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Constituency services provided by Texas representatives may include all of the following EXCEPT giving a speech to a local civic group. Correct Response providing legal services in court. attempting to influence decisions of government agencies. writing a letter of recommendation for a constituent. legislative activity.
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providing legal services in court.
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Which of the following statements about simple resolutions is correct? Correct Response They do not require the signature of the governor. They can only concern the internal rules of the Texas legislature. They are limited to matters of concern for no more than two House districts. They can only be initiated by either the Speaker or the lieutenant governor. They are only used to honor the outstanding achievements of Texas residents.
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They do not require the signature of the governor.
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The requirements for holding office in the Texas legislature Correct Response are minimal, in keeping with the idea that officeholding should be open to most citizens. are stricter than those in the federal legislature, reflecting the belief that only the most qualified Texans deserve to serve. require one to be a citizen of Texas but not necessarily a citizen of the United States. are the same as in the U.S. Constitution. require one to be a citizen of both Texas and the United States for at least ten years prior to running for office.
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are minimal, in keeping with the idea that officeholding should be open to most citizens
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In the Texas legislature, the House has ______ members and the senate has ______ members. 435; 100 100; 25 Correct Response 150; 31 31; 150 100; 50
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150; 31
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Which of the following is neither a duty nor a power of the lieutenant governor in Texas? the power to act as governor when the governor is away from the state the duty to preside over the Texas Senate the capacity to select the chairs of Texas Senate committees Correct Response the ability to call the Texas Senate into special session the ability to refer bills to committee
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the ability to call the Texas Senate into special session
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The Legislative Redistricting Board has the authority to draw new districts if appointed to do so by the governor after a special redistricting session. Correct Response the legislature fails to redistrict in the first regular session. ordered to do so by the state supreme court or a federal district court. a majority in both the House and the senate vote to allow it. appointed to do so by the governor and lieutenant governor.
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the legislature fails to redistrict in the first regular session.
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If the legislature grants a particular corporation an exception from a state law, it is called logrolling. Correct Answer a special bill. a private resolution. a filibuster. Incorrect Response a general bill.
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a special bill.
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In the Texas legislature, when a committee chair "pigeonholes" a bill, what happens? Correct Response The bill is set aside before it is ever discussed in committee. The bill is referred to a special session. The chair vetoes a bill after it has already received an affirmative committee vote. The chair refers a bill to only one subcommittee, rather than two or more. The bill is immediately sent to the floor without a committee vote.
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The bill is set aside before it is ever discussed in committee
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The typical Texas legislator is most likely to be a white woman with a professional degree. Correct Response white, affluent businessman. working-class Hispanic woman. middle-class African American lawyer. white, working-class male.
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white, affluent businessman
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Which of the following statements about partisanship in the Texas legislature is correct? Partisan rivalries have been high throughout the history of the Texas legislature. Correct Response Historically, partisanship has been rather low, but in recent years the legislature has moved into a more partisan era. The legislature was divided by partisan bickering before the 1980s, but the conflict has decreased steadily since then. The Texas constitution was amended in 1986 to forbid partisanship from interfering with the legislative process. Typically, with Democrats as the majority party, partisanship has been much higher than with Republicans in control.
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Historically, partisanship has been rather low, but in recent years the legislature has moved into a more partisan era.
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According to the text, just as the economy began to improve and state revenues started increasing, a new threat arose to threaten the newly balanced budget. It was the rising interest rates that increased the cost of borrowing. Correct Response increasing health care costs due to recent efforts to reform the health care system. underfunded state pension system. rising salaries of teachers. state's public unions threatening a strike.
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increasing health care costs due to recent efforts to reform the health care system
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Who pays the greatest portion of their income in property taxes? business owners wealthy homeowners and renters Correct Response poor homeowners and renters renters Everybody pays the same.
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poor homeowners and renters
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Federal matching funds are state monies going to support the federal government in its efforts to reduce the deficit. Correct Response awarded to states that agree to fund a federal program on behalf of their own citizens. always distributed to states without any strings attached. only awarded to states that have an income tax. so small that they are an inconsequential part of state budget policy.
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awarded to states that agree to fund a federal program on behalf of their own citizens.
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The purpose of the Biennial Revenue Estimate (BRE) is to Correct Response provide a detailed forecast of total revenues that the state is expected to take in. provide a detailed forecast of expenditures the state expects to be obligated for in the two-year budget cycle. provide a detailed forecast of the estimated federal funds the state can expect to receive during the two-year budget cycle. provide the governor a detailed estimate of the likelihood of a balanced budget during the two-year budget cycle. provide the federal government a detailed estimate of the need for federal funds to balance the Texas budget.
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provide a detailed forecast of total revenues that the state is expected to take in.
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______ monitors state agencies to ensure that they comply with the state budget. The LBB Correct Response The LBB, in conjunction with the State Auditor's Office, The conference committee The comptroller The state legislature
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The LBB, in conjunction with the State Auditor's Office,
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The Legislative Budget Board (LBB) is chaired by the comptroller. governor. Speaker of the House of Texas. Correct Response lieutenant governor. The governor appoints the chair every two years
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lieutenant governor.
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The funds generated by the Permanent School Fund are distributed to school districts across the state Incorrect Response based solely on financial need. Correct Answer based on attendance rates. as mandated by the Texas Constitution of 1876. at the discretion of the governor. based on the tax rate for school districts.
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based on attendance rates.
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Appropriations bills work their ways through both the House and the senate simultaneously. When there is disagreement on two versions of a bill, the bill is reconciled by a state judge. the governor. a select committee. Correct Answer a conference committee. Incorrect Response a vote of the House and senate.
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a conference committee
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If Texas instituted a progressive income tax Correct Response low-income Texans would pay a lower tax rate than wealthy Texans. low-income Texans, collectively, would contribute less to the state budget than wealthy Texans would. wealthy Texans would pay at a lower tax rate. people with lower incomes would pay a higher tax rate. poor homeowners and renters would pay taxes at higher rates.
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low-income Texans would pay a lower tax rate than wealthy Texans.
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The process of drafting a bill is referred to as enrollment. Incorrect Response introduction. Correct Answer markup. referral. filibustering.
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markup.
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Following a legislative decision in 2003 to reduce state funding to higher education, which source of university revenue began to increase most rapidly? gasoline taxes Correct Response student tuition and fees general revenues state income tax Texas state lottery revenues
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student tuition and fees
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Federal money is an important part of the Texas budget, but monies that Texas receives from the federal government Correct Answer often come with strings attached. are usually categorical grants with no federal guidelines or mandates whatsoever. Incorrect Response are too insignificant to be included in the state budgetary process. are usually not received in time to affect the budget process. are usually earmarked for powerful Texas labor unions.
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are too insignificant to be included in the state budgetary process.
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The main purpose of the Permanent School Fund (PSF) is to buy textbooks for Texas children. Correct Response fund primary and secondary schools in the state. fund universities and community colleges in the state. fund the two main universities in Texas: the University of Texas and Texas A and M. fund religious education in Texas.
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fund primary and secondary schools in the state.
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Which phrase best characterizes Texas's reputation in terms of taxes and services? high tax, low service Correct Response low service, low tax high tax, high service no tax and all services Despite its reputation, Texas's tax and service rates exceed the national averages.
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low service, low tax
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In theory, Texas has a dual-budget system, meaning the budget authority is shared by the governor and the legislature; however, in practice, the primary player(s) in the budget is/are the governor. Correct Response the legislature. the taxpayers. special interests. the courts.
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the legislature
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According to a report released in July 2012 by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, relative to other states, Texas is ranked ______ in health care services and delivery. first about average Correct Response last in the top 10 percent above average
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last
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A 1983 report by the National Commission on Excellence in Education was called Waiting for Superman. Only in America. No Child Left Behind. Race to the Top. Correct Response A Nation at Risk.
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a Nation at Risk
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Two of the strategies that have been developed by the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to meet the long-term needs of Texas include raising the tax on water to encourage conservation efforts and statewide water restrictions. importing more water from surrounding states where water is more plentiful and encouraging more citizens to dig their own wells. Correct Response the focus on conservation and expanding and developing available surface water. requesting federal funding to develop massive desalinization plants along the Gulf Coast and laws restricting the construction of in-ground pools. mandatory rationing and raising the tax on water.
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the focus on conservation and expanding and developing available surface water.
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The origins of modern welfare policy lie in the post-Civil War Reconstruction era. Correct Response President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal. President Truman's post-World War I reforms. President Lyndon Johnson's Great Society programs. President Gerald Ford's War on Poverty.
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President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal.
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In 1965, Congress created the Medicaid program, a state-federal program, to direct cash payments to citizens living in poverty. provide welfare benefits to the general public regardless of income. assist Texans with their prescription medications. Incorrect Response provide wellness checkups for all Texas children. Correct Answer provide health care for the poor.
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provide health care for the poor
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Under the Gilmer-Aikin Laws Correct Response various bureaucratic institutions were established to be responsible for public education in the state of Texas. public funding for education was drastically cut because of the lackluster state economy during the 1960s. the Texas school districts were subdivided to provide for more local control. the Texas school districts were not affected at all by this legislation. this legislation became known as the Robin Hood bill.
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various bureaucratic institutions were established to be responsible for public education in the state of Texas.
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In the Brown v. Board of Education case, segregated school districts were ordered to double the funding for African American integrated schools. desegregate their schools within the next ten years. Correct Response desegregate their schools "with all deliberate speed." appoint a commission to study the Texas school system and make recommendations to the governor. redraw school district lines to improve funding for all schools on a more equitable basis.
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desegregate their schools "with all deliberate speed."
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In the case of Edwards Aquifer Authority v. Burrell Day and Joel McDaniel (2012), farmers argued that the rights to the water in the aquifer were beyond the reach of the federal government because of long-standing precedent dating back to Mexican common law. Correct Response they had the rights to the water based upon their ownership of the land above it. they had water rights because they have prior claim pursuant to Texas sovereignty under federalism. they had water rights based on the eminent domain doctrine of the federal Constitution. unless water is in a sealed container aboveground, no one can own it.
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they had the rights to the water based upon their ownership of the land above it.
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The high school graduation rates in Texas are the highest of any state in the nation. Incorrect Response among the highest in the nation. unknown because this data is not collected. improving dramatically due to the reforms of the 1980s. Correct Answer among the lowest of all fifty states.
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among the lowest of all fifty states
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Federal money for Medicaid programs comes to the states as a block grant without any significant restrictions. is tied to the number of adults on the welfare rolls in order to reduce the cost of program redundancy. Correct Response is accompanied by federal rules and regulations, which states must comply with to maintain federal funding of the program. is administered automatically by the federal government to avoid punishing program recipients. is not tied to any state requirements or administrative procedures.
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is accompanied by federal rules and regulations, which states must comply with to maintain federal funding of the program.
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Which statement regarding water policy in Texas is true? Correct Response Water rights are a complicated matter balancing private property considerations and the public good. The continuing conflict between Texas and Mexico on the rights to the water flowing as part of the Rio Grande. The business community is usually at odds with the private property rights of water developers and the water processing and transportation rights of stockholders. The regulatory environment in Texas does not pose a huge problem because landowners and water conservation groups promote the public interest. In Texas, water demand is projected to decline substantially over the next century.
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Water rights are a complicated matter balancing private property considerations and the public good.
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Most of the water in Texas is for national defense purposes. home consumption by households. Correct Response irrigation. additional water supplies for neighboring states. livestock consumption.
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irrigation
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The generally accepted standard by which poverty is measured in the United States is the unemployment index. the caloric intake index. the index of income inequality. the United Nations global poverty index. Correct Response the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services poverty index.
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the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services poverty index.
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Which statement regarding the Affordable Care Act is true? Correct Response Congress was sharply split along party lines. It was passed with the vote of large majorities of both parties. It was vetoed by the president because it included a tax increase. It was later overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. It immediately reduced the cost of health care for all Americans.
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Congress was sharply split along party lines.
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The Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act of 2007 was ruled unconstitutional by the Texas Supreme Court. was rejected by social conservatives. Correct Response required Texas schools to adopt a number of policies that would protect religious speech on campus. was ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. was vetoed by the governor and never went into effect.
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required Texas schools to adopt a number of policies that would protect religious speech on campus.
