Govt Test 2

The situation in which individuals receive the benefits of collective action without contributing is known as a. the "free rider problem." b. the "welfare state." c. "benefit stealing." d. "coattailing."

a. the "free rider problem."

Which of the following is NOT a qualification a person would need to be a viable candidate for governor of Texas? a. 30 years of age b. born in Texas c. prior political experience d. U.S. citizenship

b. born in Texas

Constitutionally, a state-of-the-state message must be given by the governor a. at the beginning of the governor's term. b. 30 days after the governor has been elected. c. at the beginning of each legislative session. d. at the end of the governor's term in office.

c. at the beginning of each legislative session.

In 2004 and 2005, three special sessions were called in the Texas legislature to deal with a. tax codes. b. deregulation of the pharmaceutical industry. c. school finance. d. criminal law reform

c. school finance.

Each county has at least how many district courts? a. 1 b. 2 c. 10 d. 14

a. 1

There are statutory probate court judges. a. 18 b. 6 c. 200 d. 254

a. 18

Special sessions last ________, but there is no limit to the number of special sessions a governor can call. a. 30 days b. 60 days c. 90 days d. 120 days

a. 30 days

The Texas governor is ranked ________ among other states in overall institutional powers. a. 39th b. 35th c. 47th d. 24th

a. 39th

The Texas Supreme Court consists of ______ justices a. 9 b. 7 c. 12 d. 3

a. 9

In 2014, ___________ was elected governor of Texas. a. Greg Abbott b. Wendy Davis c. Rick Perry d. Bill Clements

a. Greg Abbott

In Texas, primary elections are usually held in a. March b. April C. May D. August

a. March

Which of the following statements about simple resolutions is correct? a. They do not require the signature of the governor. b. They can only concern the internal rules of the Texas legislature. c. They are limited to matters of concern for no more than two House districts. d. They can only be initiated by the governor.

a. They do not require the signature of the governor.

What do interest groups want from policy makers? a. They want policy that is beneficial for their groups. b. They want information that benefits their groups. c. They want monies for their special projects. d. They want unlimited access to the policy makers.

a. They want policy that is beneficial for their groups.

Interest groups are best seen as a. an organization established to influence the government's programs and policies b. basically the same as political parties. c. largely irrelevant in Texas politics today. d. corrupt entities that harm democracy.

a. an organization established to influence the government's programs and policies

What types of cases does the Texas Supreme Court hear? a. civil appeals b. appeals on civil and criminal cases c. both trial and appeals in tort-law cases d. final appeals on all civil and death penalty cases

a. civil appeals

According to Mancur Olson, which of the following is a basic dilemma in interest group politics? a. free rider problem b. game theory c. proportional theory d. multi-party theory

a. free rider problem

District courts usually have of civil and criminal cases. a. general b. limited c. mid-tier d. specific

a. general

Which is the most important bill that applies to all people and property throughout the state? a. general bill b. local bill c. simple resolution d. special bill

a. general bill

Federal judges have a. lifetime appointments b. to serve eight years before they are considered for reappointment c. to serve with the consent of the voters d. to be pro-life

a. lifetime appointments

The Texas governor only has the _____ on appropriations bills. a. line-item veto b. pocket veto c. threat of a veto d. post veto

a. line-item veto

The Texas Medical Association is best described as what kind of interest group? a. professional b. public employee c. public interest d. ideological

a. professional

In Texas, why are gubernatorial elections held in off-years? a. so that gubernatorial elections will not be influenced by a presidential election b. so that candidates cannot run for governor and a federal office at the same time c. so that voters will not become overwhelmed by too many candidates in one year d. because Texas happened to become part of the United States during an off-year

a. so that gubernatorial elections will not be influenced by a presidential election

Which court hears appeals from justices of the peace and from municipal courts? a. statutory county courts at law b. probate court c. district court d. the county commissioner

a. statutory county courts at law

Which court in Texas has automatic jurisdiction over all death penalty cases? a. the court of criminal appeals b. the supreme court c. the district court d. the justice of the peace court

a. the court of criminal appeals

What is the main purpose of a primary election? a. to select a party's candidate for the general election b. to select a party's delegates for the state convention c. to select precinct chairs throughout the state d. to select a party's delegates for the precinct convention

a. to select a party's candidate for the general election

For a law to pass in the Texas legislature it must be voted on by a. two deliberative bodies representing different constituencies. b. both Democrats and Republicans. c. Tea Party members. d. just one chamber.

a. two deliberative bodies representing different constituencies.

There are _______ courts of appeals in Texas, with ______ justices serving those a. 9; 80 b. 14; 80 c. 14; 453 d. 453; 453

b. 14; 80

For an independent candidate to get on the ballot in Texas, which requirement must he or she meet? a. He or she must obtain signatures on a petition from registered voters. The signatures must equal 30 percent of the total votes in the last governor's race. b. He or she must gain petition signatures from registered voters who did not previously participate in any political party primary election. c. He or she must begin collecting signatures before the major party primaries are held. d. He or she must convince voters who have signed other candidates' petitions to switch to his or her petition.

b. He or she must gain petition signatures from registered voters who did not previously participate in any political party primary election.

Which U.S. Supreme Court case argued that the primary election was "in no real sense part of the manner of holding the election"? It cleared the way for southern states to discriminate against African Americans. a. Nixon v. Herndon b. Newberry v. United States c. Dunn v. Blumstein d. United States v. Texas

b. Newberry v. United States

The general election is held the first a. Monday in November of even-numbered years b. Tuesday following the first Monday in November of even- numbered years c. Tuesday following the first Monday in November of odd-numbered years d. Monday in November of odd-numbered years

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

Who was the first Republican governor of Texas following Reconstruction, and when was he or she elected? a. Allan Shivers in 1948 b. William Clements in 1978 c. Ann Richards in 1990 d. George W. Bush in 1994

b. William Clements in 1978

If the legislature grants a particular corporation an exception from a state law, it is called a. logrolling. b. a special bill. c. a private resolution. d. a filibuster.

b. a special bill. (unclear from paper may be A???)

In what type of court would a justice of the peace handle minor criminal cases, less serious civil suits, and traffic/parking violations? a. court of special jurisdiction b. court of limited jurisdiction c. court of general jurisdiction d. court of last resort

b. court of limited jurisdiction

The governor of Texas has a. strong formal powers granted by the Texas Constitution. b. few formal powers, so the office is one of the weakest chief executives in the United States. c. the power to appoint all officials in the executive branch. d. the sole responsibility for budget making.

b. few formal powers, so the office is one of the weakest chief executives in the United States.

Which term best describes the executive branch? a. fragile b. fragmented c. centralized d. diversified

b. fragmented

The agenda for special sessions in the Texas legislature is set by the a. lieutenant governor and the Texas Speaker of the House. b. governor. c. Texas Supreme Court. d. chair of the joint committee on special sessions.

b. governor.

The Texas legislature takes office in January a. biennially. b. in even-numbered years c. every year. d. in odd-numbered years.

b. in even-numbered years

Major state officials are elected in non-presidential years because a. it is possible that independent and minor party candidates will also appear on general election ballots b. it prevents popular presidential candidates from influencing the outcome of Texas races c. it allows popular Republican presidential candidates to draw more than the usual number of Republican votes d. it increases voter turnout

b. it prevents popular presidential candidates from influencing the outcome of Texas races

Which of the following is/are employed to express the values of interest groups? a. pressure group b. lobbyists c. executive appointees d. legislative assistants

b. lobbyists

The poll tax disenfranchised a. farmers. b. poor people. c. black people. d. Hispanic people.

b. poor people.

In Texas, special elections are used to a. determine election dates. b. ratify amendments to the Texas Constitution. c. approve a vote of no confidence. d. impeach a corrupt politician.

b. ratify amendments to the Texas Constitution.

Texas was the first state in the South to a. impose a poll tax. b. ratify the women's suffrage amendment c. elect a black governor. d. elect a Latino governor.

b. ratify the women's suffrage amendment

The Texas Supreme Court and court of criminal appeals have appellate jurisdiction, which means they have the authority to do what? a. hear all cases from across the state, regardless of reasoning b. review the decisions of lower courts to determine whether legal principles and court procedures were followed correctly c. review the abilities of lower court justices d. suspend habeas corpus

b. review the decisions of lower courts to determine whether legal principles and court procedures were followed correctly

The Texas governor was very powerful, and many regarded state government as oppressive and corrupt, under which constitution? a. the Constitution of 1976 b. the Reconstruction Constitution of 1869 c. the Constitution of 1866 d. the Constitution of 1861

b. the Reconstruction Constitution of 1869

Municipal courts have jurisdiction over a. class A misdemeanors that are violations of federal law committed within the city limits. b. violations of city ordinances. c. traffic violations outside the city.

b. violations of city ordinances.

Lobbyists can do all of the following EXCEPT a. provide information to politicians. b. write bills. c. testify at hearings. d. provide bribes to lawmakers.

b. write bills.

In even numbered years, Texas representatives receive a salary of only ________ per year not including a per diem. a. nothing b. $28,200 c. $7,200 d. $12,000

c. $7,200

In the Texas legislature, the House has ______ members and the Senate has ______ members. a. 435; 100 b. 100; 25 . c. 150; 31 d. 31; 150

c. 150; 31

Each member of the Texas House represents approximately each senator represents over constituents. a. 100,581; 811,000 b. 168,000; 150,000 c. 168,000; 811,000 d. 175,000; 150,000

c. 168,000; 811,000

The Texas Constitution of ________ placed strict limits on the governor's ability to control the people appointed to office and almost eliminated the possibility that appointees to office could be removed. a. 1845 b. 1836 c. 1876 d. 1869

c. 1876

Prior to _______, Texas governors were elected to two-year terms, with most being elected to a maximum of two consecutive two-year terms. Since then, governors have been able to get elected to unlimited four-year terms. a. 1972 b. 1973 c. 1974 d. 1975

c. 1974

Appeals at the level of the court of appeals are typically heard by panels of how many justices? a. 1 b. 2 c. 3 d. 9

c. 3

In the history of Texas, the only other female governor other than Miriam Ferguson was a. Kay Bailey Hutchison. b. Barbara Bush. c. Ann Richards. d. Barbara Jordan.

c. Ann Richards.

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

c. Common Cause

What do some argue is the one advantage of a plural executive in Texas? a. it allows the governor to pursue innovative policymaking. b. It decreases conflict between the executive and legislative branches. c. It constrains the governor in the pursuit of excessive policies. d. It facilitates the coordination of public policy.

c. It constrains the governor in the pursuit of excessive policies.

Women were given the right to vote in the United States with the passage of the a. Voting Rights Act of 1965. b. Fifteenth Amendment. c. Nineteenth Amendment. d. U.S. Supreme Court decision Newberry v. United States.

c. Nineteenth Amendment.

_______ must begin in the House of Representatives. a. Transportation bills b. School finance bills c. Revenue bills d. All bills

c. Revenue bills

Who was the longest-serving governor in the history of Texas? a. William Clements b. George W. Bush c. Rick Perry d. Dolph Briscoe

c. Rick Perry

The governor may be removed from office only by impeachment with conviction by the a. House. b. judiciary. c. Senate. d. attorney general.

c. Senate.

Which of the following statements about special sessions of the Texas legislature is true? a. Special sessions are a rare occurrence, called on average once a decade. b. Special sessions were common in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries but have been rare over the past 50 years. c. Special sessions are common, held an average of once a year since 1876. d. Special sessions occur often, on average four times a year.

c. Special sessions are common, held an average of once a year since 1876.

One of the most influential professional groups in Austin is the a. Mexican American Legal Defense Fund. b. Texas Lawyers Association. c. Texas Medical Association. d. Teachers Association.

c. Texas Medical Association.

Why does it matter who is Speaker of the Texas House? a. The Speaker is as powerful or more powerful than the governor. b. The Speaker must be able to appoint key Democrats as chairs of committees that support the Republican agenda. c. The Speaker sets the legislative agenda. d. The Speaker must be able to work with the Tea Party on issues.

c. The Speaker sets the legislative agenda.

The poll tax was made illegal in federal elections with the passage of the a. Voting Rights Act of 1965. b. Nineteenth Amendment. c. Twenty-Fourth Amendment. d. Civil Rights Act of 1964.

c. Twenty-Fourth Amendment.

Which statement concerning women's suffrage is correct? a. Women were given the right to vote in the original Constitution of 1876. b. The Texas Constitution was amended in 1899 to permit women to vote. c. Women were permitted to vote in all elections in Texas with the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. d. Women were given full suffrage rights in Texas in 1932.

c. Women were permitted to vote in all elections in Texas with the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

The practice of combining several individual campaign contributions into one larger contribution from a group in order to increase the group's impact is known as a. bribery. b. PAC-ing. c. bundling. d. soft money.

c. bundling.

Which of the following groups have had notable political success by litigating in federal courts? a. professional groups b. public employee interest groups c. civil rights groups d. chemical company lobbyists

c. civil rights groups

The major trial courts in Texas are a. courts of appeals. b. county courts c. district courts d. municipal courts

c. district courts

Most lobbyists a. are women. b. are less educated but politically astute. c. have expertise in policy matters or personal relationships with legislators. d. are corrupt.

c. have expertise in policy matters or personal relationships with legislators.

In Texas, the only constitutional method of removing a governor from office is by _______ and conviction. a. recall b. a two-thirds vote c. impeachment d. judicial proceeding

c. impeachment

What is the function of the "local and consent" calendar? a. It marks the date by which legislators must vote on specific bills. b. It is the calendar for all private bills sponsored by members of the legislature. c. it is reserved for uncontroversial bills or bills limited to a localized problem. d. It describes the voting schedule for those bills that require approval by both the legislature and local communities.

c. it is reserved for uncontroversial bills or bills limited to a localized problem.

Which court does not require its judges to be lawyers? a. court of appeals b. district court c. justice of the peace d. Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

c. justice of the peace

A bill in the Texas legislature that would allow a county to establish a new community college would be classified as a a. general bill. b. special bill. c. local bill. d. concurrent resolution.

c. local bill.

What type of primary allows a voter to choose on Election Day which party they will vote for? a. closed primary b. semiclosed primary c. open primary d. crossover voting primary

c. open primary

Texas officially uses which method to select state judges? a. nonpartisan election b. merit plan c. partisan election d. appointment by governor

c. partisan election

An Texas legislators are elected using a. multiple-member districts. b. floating districts. c. single-member districts. d. regional districts.

c. single-member districts.

The largest and most effective public employee interest group in Texas is made up of a. firefighters. b. police officers. c. teachers. d. justices of the peace.

c. teachers.

The primary goal of interest groups is to a. influence all branches of government at all levels. b. mobilize citizens. c. testify before legislative committees. d. inform and educate public officials.

c. testify before legislative committees.

During the Texas Constitutional Convention of 1875, which interest group played an important role? a. 8F Crowd b. Halliburton Company c. the Grange d. AAA

c. the Grange

The poll tax was made illegal in federal elections in ______ but remained legal in state elections in Texas until ________ a. 1966; 1964 b. 1902; 1966 c. 1902; 1964 d. 1964; 1966

d. 1964; 1966

Which of the following best describes the requirement(s) necessary to be a judge of the Texas Supreme Court? a. 35 years of age b. citizen of the United States and a resident of Texas c. practicing lawyer or judge for at least 10 years d. 35 years of age, citizen of the United States, resident of Texas, practicing attorney or judge for at least 10 years

d. 35 years of age, citizen of the United States, resident of Texas, practicing attorney or judge for at least 10 years

Which of the following best describes the requirement(s) necessary to be a judge of the courts of appeal? a. 35 years of age b. citizens of the United States and a resident of Texas c. practicing lawyer or judge for at least 10 years . d. 35 years of age, citizen of the United States, residents of Texas, practicing attorney or judge for at least 10 years.

d. 35 years of age, citizen of the United States, residents of Texas, practicing attorney or judge for at least 10 years.

What resource(s) are interest groups able to use to influence politics? a. members b. ability to raise money c. credibility d. All of these are correct.

d. All of these are correct.

Which incentives do interest groups engage in to overcome the free rider problem? a. special discounts b. subscription to a magazine c. access to special information on the Internet d. All of these are correct.

d. All of these are correct.

Which of the following advantages do better-funded interest groups have? a. time b. money c. expertise d. All of these are correct.

d. All of these are correct.

Which of the following is/are informal criterion/criteria for becoming governor? a. Governors are historically white. b. Governors are historically male. c. Governors are historically protestant. d. All of these are correct.

d. All of these are correct.

Who argued in Federalist 10 that "factions" would play an important role in American politics? a. George Washington b. Ben Franklin c. Thomas Paine d. James Madison

d. James Madison

For how long does the Texas legislature meet? a. The legislature meets all year, with breaks for holidays and campaigning. b. The regular session is nine months every year. c. The legislature meets for nine months biennially. d. The regular legislative session lasts 140 days in odd-numbered years.

d. The regular legislative session lasts 140 days in odd-numbered years.

Elections are the mechanism people use to a. select leaders b. authorize actions by government c. borrow money on behalf of government d. all of these are correct

d. all of these are correct

Why should it matter who is mayor? a. Mayors often have important national stature. b. they sometimes become cabinet secretaries c. they sometimes move to statewide offices d. all of these are correct

d. all of these are correct

A closed primary allows only those individuals who ______ to participate a. are registered voters b. possess a voter registration c. are first-time voters d. are party members

d. are party members

Governors can be quite powerful in spite of the weaknesses of the office by doing all of the following EXCEPT a. mobilizing interest groups and editorial boards of newspapers. b. calling special sessions of the legislature. c. pardoning criminals and permitting fugitives to be extradited to other states. d. filing legislative bills at the beginning of every legislative session.

d. filing legislative bills at the beginning of every legislative session.

Kinky Friedman and Carole Keeton Strayhorn ran for governor as ________ in 2016 a. Republicans b. Democrats c. Tea Party candidates d. independents

d. independents

Which judicial office had its origins in medieval England and has existed in Texas since 1837, even before statehood? a. county judge b. municipal judge c. supreme court judge d. justice of the peace

d. justice of the peace

One of the most notable effects of bicameralism in the Texas legislature is that it a. speeds up the process of legislation by dividing the labors between two separate institutions. b. works to the benefit of the more densely populated urban areas. c. allows for sparsely populated rural counties to receive more of a voice in the legislature. d. permits more opportunities to kill or significantly modify a bill.

d. permits more opportunities to kill or significantly modify a bill.

Why is the Texas governor's power exceptionally weak as compared to that of the governors of some other states? a. lack of a line-item veto b. inability to appoint any administrative heads c. tenure limits d. plural executive system

d. plural executive system

A ________ was a state-imposed tax on voters as a prerequisite for voting. a. registration tax b. voter tax c. registration fee d. poll tax

d. poll tax

Texas senators serve _______ year terms and House members serve _______ year terms. a. two; four b. four; six c. four; two d. six; four

d. six; four

Texans Advocating for Meaningful Student Assessment enabled people to join together and seek policy change in a number of ways EXCEPT by a. providing like-minded individuals an organizational structure for discussing problems and offering solutions. b. providing a vehicle for working with other organizations like the Texas Association of School Administrators, which was also concerned with testing. c. raising money to help pay for their efforts. d. successfully removing the end-of-year course exams.

d. successfully removing the end-of-year course exams.

What is the most basic and fundamental duty citizens have in a democracy? a. signing a petition b. attending a rally c. financial contributions d. voting

d. voting

Can't see this question (#81)

sorry