Texas Government Chapter 13 – Flashcards
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Why are Texas counties important?
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They provide the main form of government in rural areas.
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In the case Avery v. Midland County, the U.S. Supreme Court held that...
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the principle of "one person, one vote" applied to county commissioners courts.
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The job of serving legal papers at the precinct level of a county goes to the...
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constable
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What is a source of often unanticipated costs faced by county governments?
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the financial burden of capital murder trials
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List the functions of county government?
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law enforcement, bridge and road construction, record keeping, and county taxes
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Which of the following is not a function of county government in Texas?
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administering water districts
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The most important social services provided by counties is...
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the provision of emergency welfare assistance.
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What is the main difference between a home-rule city and a general-law city?
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A general-law city is chartered for localities with a population of fewer than 5,000 persons.
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San Antonio operates under which style of city government?
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council-manager
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What are key differences between the mayor-council and the council-manager forms of local government?
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1. The council-manager style was meant to reduce the possibility of corruption that the mayor-council system may bring. 2. The council-manager system is the most popular form of gov throughout the US for cities with over 10,000 residents. 3. In the council-manager system, the chief executive is a city manager, not a mayor. 4. In the council-manager system, local politics is viewed as part-time job, unlike in mayor-council.
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Which of the following is not a key difference between the mayor-council and the council-manager forms of local government?
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In the council-manager system, local politics is viewed as a full-time job, unlike in the mayor-council system.
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The mayor-council form of government is most common in....
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smaller general-law cities
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What is an at-large election?
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an election in which voters elect officials from the entire geographical area, rather than from a smaller district within the area.
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The commissioner form of government is currently popular among the largest cities in Texas? True or False?
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false
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What is the level of popularity of the commissioner system of city government in Texas today?
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No city in Texas today has a pure commission system, but a handful claim a variation of the system
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Which cities currently have a city government with a strong mayor-council form of government?
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Houston
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What is the main difference between a special district and a county?
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A special district provides only one specific service within a geographic region.
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What is a school district?
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special district
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What can school boards do?
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adopt a budget for the district, select textbooks, hire superintendent, and set overall policy for the school district
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Why is flood control managed through special districts?
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flooding is seldom contained in a single city or county
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In Texas, ....create(s) special districts.
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Texas voters of the area that will be covered
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How are most special districts in Texas administered?
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They are run by a board elected by residents within the district.
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What are the main sources of revenue for special districts in Texas?
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property taxes and user fees
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Community colleges in Texas are allotted their own special districts. True or False?
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true
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The General Fund budget for the City of San Antonio for FY 2016 has four revenue streams. Which revenue stream is the largest source of monies for the city?
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payment from CPS Energy
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Out of the City of San Antonio FY 2016 General Fund, what takes up the majority of the budget at over 60 percent?
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Police and fire
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All of the following are functions of county government EXCEPT
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flood control
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A school board can do all of the following EXCEPT
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hire principals and faculty
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In large Texas counties, the ..... prepares the county budget.
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auditor
