question

What is Texas's political subculture?

answer

Individualistic and Traditionalistic

question

For the moralistic subculture, which of the following is a primary duty of government?

answer

Assuring citizens' welfare

question

Which of the political subcultures tends to prefer a status quo and elite model of politics?

answer

traditionalistic

question

At the time of the Civil War, what percentage of Texas's residents were African American?

answer

30%

question

Hispanics currently make up about what percentage of the Texas population?

answer

35%

question

In what period was slavery legal in Texas?

answer

Under the independent Republic of Texas

question

The Texas legislature differs from that of the United States in

answer

not meeting every year

question

Executive power in the Texas state government is

answer

highly fragmented

question

A Texas constitutional provision concerning spending on waste water pipes is an example of

answer

excessive detail in the constitution

question

How many constitutions has Texas had

answer

7

question

Division of executive power in the TX government has tended to bring about

answer

inaction

question

What was the status of Texas under the 1836 Constitution?

answer

It was an independent republic

question

Texas has about how many amendments to its Constitution?

answer

470

question

Which of the following does not have any part in amending the Texas Constitution: a) TX HOR b) TX Senate c) TX Governor d) TX voters e) all of the above have a part

answer

c) The Texas Senate

question

The last major attempt to reform the Texas Constitution was in the

answer

1970s

question

In Texas, the so called "right-to-work" law

answer

prohibits the requirement of union membership in order to hold or get a job

question

Compared to the US Const., which IS NOT true about the TX constitution: a) long and detailed b) Amended more than 400 times c) Based on a set of basic principles, such as pop. sov. and limited gov d) written in general and vague language, hence open to judicial interpretation e) requires the state to balance its budget every 2 years

answer

d) written in general and vague language, hence open to judicial interpretation

question

The group most associated with the drafters of the current Texas Constitution

answer

the Grange

question

The enduring legacy of the Civil War and Reconstruction in Texas has been all of the following EXCEPT: a) a deep suspicion of government b) limited government c) a powerful executive d) fragmented governmental institutions e) a sense of distrust of politicians

answer

c) a powerful executive

question

Which of those is NOT a dominant principle in the Texas Constitution: a) pop. sov. b) unified executive c) contract theory d) limited gov. e) separation of powers

answer

b) unified executive

question

Which of the following is NOT true about TX: a) the TX leg. which meets once in two years in regular sessions b) TX has a fragmented pluralistic executive branch c) TX has the 2nd largest state econ. in the U.S. d) The TX Const. requires judges to be elected and not appointed e) TX has the lowest welfare recipients in the nation

answer

e) TX has the lowest welfare recipients in the nation

question

The main purpose of the poll tax was

answer

to exclude poor white and minority voters

question

Which of the following has traditionally dominated the political culture of TX: a) labor unions b) Business elites & lawyers c) Environmental groups d) African Americans e) Hispanics

answer

b) Business elites & lawyers

question

Who led the Grand and populist movements of the late 19th century

answer

Small farmers

question

Approximately what percentage of the current population of TX lives in urban areas?

answer

90%

question

The 10th Amendment to the US Const. is the legal basis for

answer

States' rights to regulate the life of their citizens

question

During the Nullification Crisis in 1883

answer

some southern states tried to claim the right to veto (nullify) national legislation passed by congress

question

Which one of the following is NOT usually listed as among the advantages of a federal form of gov: a) states are encouraged to compete w/ each other b) Creative solutions can be applied to social problems c) legislation more closely reflects the wishes of the people d) Unfunded mandate are imposed upon state govs e) A true federal system tends to limit the power of the national gov.

answer

d) Unfunded mandate are imposed upon state govs

question

_______ allows considerable freedom in how federal money is spent by states

answer

Block grants

question

What is the main purpose of a general election?

answer

To determine which candidate wins the elected office

question

A movement which emerged since 2010 and has had the largest impact on state legislative races?

answer

The Tea Party Movement

question

In TX, _____ is/are responsible for redistricting

answer

the legislature

question

______ elections are elections in which the party affiliations of candidates are not listed on the ballot

answer

nonpartisan

question

A ______ was a tax charged to voters as a prerequisite for registration

answer

poll tax

question

which of the following is NOT TRUE: a) Democrats are winning most local races in large urban areas like Dallas & Harris county b) Republicans are winning most local races in suburban areas like Collin County c) It is difficult for an independent to win a local election in any area of TX d) The Republican Part is losing ground at the state level e) The Democratic Party has basically been shut out of state-level elections

answer

d) The Republican Part is losing ground at the state level

question

During the late 19th century and early 20th centuries, Texas was

answer

a one-party Democrat

question

Providing a label that helps voters identify those seeking office is an important function of

answer

political parties

question

Which of the following is NOT usually considered a function of political parties: a) lobbying b) getting out the vote c) influencing voters' choices d) training candidates e) nominating candidates

answer

a) lobbying

question

In modern-day TX, control of state government

answer

lies solely in the hands of the Republicans

question

The most local voting district is called the

answer

precinct

question

In TX, why were the primary elections more important than general elections during most of the 20th century?

answer

In a one-part state, the winner of the primary will most likely win the general election

question

A _____ occurs when the winner of a primary election fails to win an absolute majority of the voters cast

answer

runoff election

question

What is the purpose of a primary election?

answer

to select a party's candidate for the general election

question

The _____ election decides who is elected to an office

answer

general

question

Officially, TX has a: a) joint primary b) extended primary c) open primary d) closed primary e) jungle primary

answer

d) closed primary

question

In TX, special elections are held for all of the following reasons EXCEPT to: a) give approval to borrow money b) ratify amendment to the TX Const. c) fill vacancies in office d) allow gov agencies to undertake long-term debt e) impeach a corrupt politician

answer

e) impeach a corrupt politician

question

Women were given the right to vote in the US with the passage of the

answer

19th amend.

question

The poll tax was made illegal in federal elections with the passage of the

answer

24th amend.

question

Which of the following is NOT a requirement to vote in TX: a) US citizenship b) being at least 18 yrs of age c) being a resident of TX for at least one year d) being a resident of the county for 30 days e) property ownership

answer

e) property ownership

question

Which of the following statements is NOT a possible explanation for why TX currently has lower voter turnout? a) TX has so many elections that voters are often overwhelmed w/ elections and candidates b) The TX political culture has been one in which elites have discourage voting c) The average age of Texans is younger than the national average, and younger voters are less likely t vote d) The residency requirement for new voters is 5 yrs e) TX has weak political parties

answer

d) The residency requirement for new voters is 5 yrs

question

main characteristics of a traditionalistic political culture

answer

-stick to status quo -consists mainly of businessmen

question

Most Texas for almost 100 yrs supported the Dem. Party in state elections. However, around the 1980s, they shifted their support to the Republican Party. What was the reason(s0 for the shift?

answer

During this time Blue Dog Democrats had existed and had seen the Democratic party as being too liberal so in the end they eventually shifted to the Republican Party to stick with Texas's political culture of being traditionalistic

question

The USA has just one constitution since 1789, whereas Texas has had 7 constitutions since 1827. What are the main reasons for TX having so many consts?

answer

- Texas Constitution was written by farmers and not so intelligent people so the constitution was very literal and contained every issues the they thought of - much of the rewriting of the const. was due to what fit at a certain time period and what mattered most during that time -Political status of Texas changed during Mexico, their independence, acceptance into Union, Confederacy, and back into the US

question

What are the most probable reasons why the drafters of the current Texas Constitution created a fragmented executive and part-time legislature

answer

-to limit government power -to not go back to the strict regime of Edmund Davis -to give the power to the people

question

The 8F Crowd was

answer

a loose but influential group of Texas businessmen

question

Which of the following is NOT a description of an interest group? a) its members pursue a common goal b) it attempts to affect public policy c) members seek to achieve their desired goals through political means d) It is usually made up of a large number of people e) It is active only at the legislature, and not the executive and judicial branches of government

answer

e) It is active only at the legislature, and not the executive and judicial branches of government

question

Which of the following is the farmers' interest group that influenced the writing of the Texas Constitution of 1876?

answer

the Grange

question

Which of the following is NOT a reason that interest groups are useful to politicians: a) interest groups provide necessary information and expertise to politicians b) campaign funding often comes from interest groups c) interest groups control and run the democratic and republican parties d) Interest groups can mobilize voters and mount publicity campaigns e) Interest groups participate in the get-out-the vote campaigns

answer

c) interest groups control and run the democratic and republican parties

question

As an interest group which description best fits the Texas Trial Lawyers Association?

answer

professional

question

Which of the following is the best example of a public interest group? a) Mexican American Legal Defense Fund b) Texas Medical Association c) Common Cause d) Texans for Lawsuit Reform e) Texas Bar Association

answer

c) Common Cause

question

Which is the largest and most effective public employee interest group in TX

answer

teachers

question

What is a political action committee (PAC)

answer

it's the election campaign funding arm of an interest group

question

As in the US congress. most campaign contributions by interest groups in TX go to

answer

incumbents

question

What is the function of EMILY's list

answer

It provides early campaign funding for female candidates

question

In the TX Leg., the House has ______ members and the senate has ______ members

answer

150; 31

question

The requirements for holding office in the TX leg.

answer

are minimal, in keeping with the idea that office holding should be open to most citizens

question

The typical Texas legislator is most likely to be a

answer

white, affluent businessman

question

For how long does the TX legislature meet?

answer

The regular legislative session lasts 140 days every two yrs

question

Which of the following is NOT a legislative power of the TX governor: a) calling special sessions b) signing or vetoing bills c) making the biennial state of the state address d) removing, for suitable cause, the speaker or lieutenant governor e) lobbying the legislature to obtain their support for a bill

answer

d) removing, for suitable cause, the speaker or lieutenant governor

question

Which of the following is neither a duty nor a power of the lieutenant governor in TX? a) power to act as governor when the governor is away from the state b) the duty to preside over the Texas Senate c) the capacity to select the chairs of Texas Senate committees d) the ability to call the Texas Senate into special session e) the power to assign senators to different committees

answer

d) the ability to call the Texas Senate into special session

question

Which of the following is not a nonlegislative power of the TX legislature: a) power of impeachment b) power to investigate financial mismanagement in a state agency c) power to formally count the election returns in the governor's race d) power to veto state supreme court decision w/ a 2/3rds majority e) pwr to supervise the behavior of executive branch agencies

answer

d) power to veto state supreme court decision w/ a 2/3rds majority

question

In Texas, who can write and sponsor a bill?

answer

only a member of the legislature

question

In the Texas leg., all bills dealing w/ state revenue must

answer

start in the House of Representatives

question

As in the US congress, what is the purpose of a conference committee in the TX legislature?

answer

It is a committee designed to make differing House and senate versions of the same bill identical

question

In Texas, whys is a governor's post adjustment veto so powerful?

answer

It cannot be overturned by the legislature

question

When the governor strikes out specific spending provision in large appropriations bills, it is called

answer

the line0item veto

question

Why is the comptroller of public accounts so important to the legislature?

answer

the comptroller informs the leg. how much money it has to spend on the budget

question

Who has the responsibility for redistricting the Texas delegation to the U.S. Congress

answer

The TX legislature

question

The governor of TX has

answer

few formal powers, so the office is one of the weakest chief executives in the US

question

Which of the following is NOT a qualification a person would need to be a viable candidate for governor of TX?" a) 30 yrs of age b) born in TX c) prior political experience d) U.S. citizenship e) white, male, protestant and college educated

answer

b) born in TX

question

In TX, why are gubernatorial elections held in off yrs?

answer

so that gubernatorial elections will not influenced by a presidential election

question

____ is the only TX governor to both impeached and convicted

answer

James Ferguson

question

The Texas governor has all of the following legislative pwrs EXCEPT the pwr to: a) address the legislature in State of the State speeches b) sign and veto bills c) call special sessions d) break tie votes in the senate e) lobby the legislature on important bills

answer

d) break tie votes in the senate

question

In Tx, what is the primary effect of a plural executive?

answer

It dilutes the power of the governor and fragments the executive branch

question

Why did the TX constitution establish a plural executive?

answer

There was suspicion of a strong governor

question

In Texas, which officer in the plural executive is NOT elected by voters?

answer

the secretary of state

question

Which of the following about the lieutenant governor in Texas is INCORRECT: a) the lieut. gov is chair of the Legislative Budget Board b) The lieut. gov. presides over the senate c) the lieut. gov. is elected in a statewide election d) the lieut. gov's pwrs are primarily executive, not legislative e) the lieut. governor is first in line for succession of the gov.

answer

d) the lieut. gov's pwrs are primarily executive, not legislative

question

Who is the current governor of Texas?

answer

Gregg Abbott

question

The chief lawyer for TX is the

answer

attorney general

question

Which office is charged w/ ensuring the accuracy of official weights and measures

answer

the Dept. of Agriculture

question

The TX state Board of Edu. is responsible for all of the following EXCEPT: a) adopting textbooks b) setting min high school graduation requirements c) appointing community college requirements d) determining the licensing requirements for public school teachers e) establishing accreditation standards for Texas public schools

answer

c) appointing community college requirements

question

What is the purpose of the Sunset Advisory Commission in Texas?

answer

It reviews state agencies every 12 yrs to see if they are still needed

question

What types of cases does the Texas Supreme Court hear?

answer

civil appeals

question

Which court in Texas has automatic jurisdiction over all death penalty cases?

answer

the court of criminal appeals

question

There are_____ court of appeals

answer

14

question

The main trial courts in Texas are called

answer

district courts

question

Which of the following is NOT TRUE about constitutional (commissioner) county courts?: a) they can receive appeals from municipal and justice of the peace courts b) they have original and appellate jurisdiction c) they also serve as administrative (governmental) units of the counties d) have the power to look at both criminal and civil cases under their jurisdiction e) they are the main trial courts of Texas

answer

e) they are the main trial courts of Texas

question

Courts that can review matters relating to inheritance (wills), custody, and mental committal are referred to as what?

answer

statutory probate courts

question

In Tx, trial lawyers tend to support

answer

Democratic judicial candidates

question

What is the most important role the governor of TX plays in the judicial process

answer

The governor has the pwr to appoint judges to fill any vacancies on the bench for the time period before elections are held

question

Which of the following is NOT a reason, that there are few minority judges in TX?: a) one must be a lawyer to be a judge, and there are few minority lawyers in Tx b) Judicial districts are often quite large, and minority voters rarely make up a majority in these districts c) minority voters tend to be Democrats and The Republican party currently dominates TX elections d) White voters participation rate is much higher than that of minority voters e) minority candidates lack support bc they are not affiliated w/ any political party or interest group

answer

e) minority candidates lack support bc they are not affiliated w/ any political party or interest group

question

T/F: A constitutional county court also serves as the administrative unit of the county

answer

TRUE

question

T/F: Most judicial elections in Texas are nonpartisan

answer

FALSE

question

T/F: the term MISDEMEANOR refers to a crime more serious than a felony

answer

FALSE

question

Government decisions regarding revenues, expenditures, and borrowing are referred to as

answer

fiscal policy

question

Texas has generally resisted using all of the following to balance the budget EXCEPT: a) enacting a state income tax b) increasing various state taxes c) reducing agency funding d) borrowing from the "rainy day" fund

answer

c) reducing agency funding

question

The traditional Texas fiscal policy is the achievement of a balanced budget through

answer

low taxes and low levels of spending

question

Most Texans have indicated in numerous polls that they prefer______ taxation

answer

regressive

question

Taxes that are a greater burden on lower incomes and less so on higher incomes are known as

answer

regressive taxes

question

Taxes that rely more heavily on revenues from higher incomes are known as

answer

Progressive taxes

question

Texas has one of the most ______ state tax system in the US

answer

Regressive

question

Which of the following is not a source of revenue for Texas state gov?: a) state income tax b) general sales tax c) franchise tax d) severance tax

answer

a) state income tax

question

Which group of Texans pays the most in taxes proportional to their income?

answer

poorest 20%

question

The Texas state tax mandated on the revenue of many businesses is the

answer

franchise tax

question

Most non-farm jobs in Texas are in the general area of

answer

service providing

question

The "pay-as-you-go" system means that the Texas legislature must

answer

not pass a deficit budget

question

Regarding fiscal policy, the TX const. requires that the

answer

State's spending should be in balance w/ projected state revenues

question

So-called "sin taxes" are levies placed on

answer

alcohol, mixed drinks, and tobacco

question

Most taxes in Texas are administered by the

answer

Comptroller of public accounts

question

Where does Texas rank among the states in the tax burden on its citizens?

answer

near the bottom

question

A state tax levied on a natural resource taken from the earth is the

answer

severance tax

question

Grants-in-aid are defined as

answer

money from the federal government to the state

question

Which state program in Texas does NOT receive substantial federal funding?

answer

Teacher retirement

question

In order for Texas to increase its bond debt, approval must be given by the

answer

voters of Texas

question

A bond whose repayment is guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the state is a

answer

general obligation bond

question

Another name fro the state's Economic Stabilization Fund is the

answer

"rainy day" fund

question

Arguably the most influential budgeting organization in Texas is the

answer

Legislative Budget Board

question

The "dual budgeting" system in Texas means that both

answer

the governor and the legislature draw up budget proposals

question

In Texas, projected revenue levels are provided to the governor and legislature by the

answer

State comptroller of public accounts

question

After the legislature approves a biennial budget, the governor cannot sign it until

answer

the comptroller certifies the state will collect sufficient revenue to cover the expenditures

question

Approximately what percentage of state expenditures goes to Health and Human Services funding?

answer

35-40 %

question

The second largest single expenditure item by functional class of the Texas government is

answer

education

question

What amount of state funding for public schools is provided by the Foundation School Fund?

answer

More than 70%

question

The Robin Hood Plan is an attempt to equalize funding among

answer

public schools

question

Which factor will increase the state's outcomes-based funding to a community college: a) an increase in enrollment b) a decrease in tuition rates c) an increase in the number of low-income students enrolled d) an increase in the number of students successfully completing courses

answer

d) an increase in the number of students successfully completing courses

question

The state's largest financial aid program is the

answer

Texas Grant Program (TEA)

question

Compared to the rest of the nation, the number of children without health insurance coverage in Texas is

answer

the highest

question

There are a variety of forms of local governments in Texas, including

answer

special districts, counties, and cities

question

Approximately how many municipalities are there in Texas?

answer

1,200

question

Which of the following views of local government power dictates that local government should only have those powers expressly granted by the state?: a) Dillon's Rule b) Ogden's Rule c) Cooley's Rule d) Perry's Rule

answer

a) Dillon's Rule

question

Approximately____percent of Texans reside in cities

answer

80%

question

A typical percentage of voter turnout for a TX local election is

answer

10% or less due to voter fatigue & too many elections

question

The min. population requirement in Texas for becoming a city is

answer

5,000

question

In Texas, a community w/ a population of less than 5,000 may become a

answer

General-law city (small towns can get charter from state leg.)

question

Home rule

answer

for large cities who can write their own charters

GOVT FINAL EXAM REVIEW – Flashcards

Unlock all answers in this set

Haven't found what you were looking for?

Search for samples, answers to your questions and flashcards