InQuizitive Week 2 (GOVT 2306)

What is the term for a legislative assembly composed of two chambers?

bicameral

Which political characteristic of Texas government comes from Texas's experience as part of Spain and Mexico?

community property

Where does the political authority held by local governments, such as cities and counties, come from?

the state government

The authors of the Texas Constitution were influenced by the U.S. governing documents and the writers of The Federalist Papers, such as James Madison. Select the passages of Madison's text from Federalist 51 that reflect how government is structured to protect people from government becoming too powerful.

usurpations are guarded against by a division of the government into distinct and separate departments. divided between two distinct governments subdivided among distinct and separate departments

The push to rewrite the Texas Constitution in the 1970s emerged from which of the following events?

a stock fraud scandal

Identify which of the following characteristics are unique to the Texas Bill of Rights, and which apply to both the U.S. and Texas Bills of Rights.

both U.S. and Texas Bills of Rights guarantees freedom of religion includes liberties of speech and press Texas Bill of Rights specifies the right to a republican government specifies provisions of public policy appears as the first article of the Constitution

Which of the following is one of the most important themes of the Constitution of 1876?

limited spending

In January 2016, Governor Greg Abbott proposed a convention of states to consider a series of amendments to the U.S. Constitution, including one to "Restore the balance of power between the federal and state governments by limiting the former to the powers expressly delegated to it in the Constitution."This proposal counters the Supreme Court's interpretation of which part of the U.S. Constitution that led to an enormous net expansion of power?

necessary and proper clause

The _______ provides Congress with the power to accomplish its constitutional tasks, while the _______ specifies that national law trumps state law when the two conflict.

necessary and proper clause supremacy clause

The government of Texas is separated into many parts. In addition to having three branches of government, one branch—the executive—is divided into a plural executive with different constituencies. Which of the following has been a difficult outcome of this fractured structure?

outsized influence of energized factions of the public and interest groups

Because the framers believed that education was so important, they included Article 7 in the state constitution. Select the portion of text from Article 7 that best expresses what the framers thought was the most important element that would protect our system of government.

A general diffusion of knowledge

Like the U.S. Constitution that replaced the Articles of Confederation, each successive constitution that has governed Texas can be characterized by which of the following statements?

Constitutions reflect historic experiences and attempts to fix flaws.

Which guarantees are made by the Texas Constitution but not by the U.S. Constitution?

Correct Answer(s) free and efficient public schools victims' rights Incorrect Answer(s) limited government freedom of religion

How do both the U.S. and Texas constitutions seek to prevent tyranny?

Correct Answer(s) separation of powers checks and balances natural self-interests

Which of these have served as sources of frustration for states in their relationship with the federal government?

Correct Answer(s) supremacy clause necessary and proper clause Fourteenth Amendment Incorrect Answer(s) Tenth Amendment

The civil liberties protections in the _________ have largely been incorporated to apply to states through the due process clause of the ___________.

Bill of Rights Fourteenth Amendment

In 1824, settlers coming to Texas from the United States stopped being under the authority of the U.S. Constitution and instead were governed by the Mexican national constitution. Which aspects of the Mexican national constitution of 1824 differed from the U.S. Constitution? Which aspects were the same?

Aspects That Were Different the selection of the president the role of religion Aspects That Were Similar protection of state powers a bicameral legislature the separation of powers

Local governments in Texas, such as cities and counties, derive their authority from which sources?

Correct Answer(s) the citizens of Texas the Texas Constitution Incorrect Answer(s) the U.S. Constitution American citizens the residents of the city the county commissioners' court

The data in the following table best support which of the following conclusions?

Balancing the exercise of civil liberties against the protection of civil rights can lead to fractures in the public on how to proceed.

What is the meaning of the term impeachment?

A charge of wrongdoing

Which of the following characteristics have been central in all of Texas's constitutions since Texas joined the United States?

Central in All of Texas's Constitutions strong popular control individual rights division of power federalism Not Central in All of Texas's Constitutions strong government flexibility

Match the each characteristic or provision to the constitution it belongs to: the Texas Constitution of 1845, the Texas Constitution of 1861, or the Texas Constitution of 1869.

Constitution of 1845 provided for possible emancipation of enslaved people detailed the original agreement for Texas's statehood Constitution of 1869 created a much more powerful governor was heavily influenced by Radical Republicans Constitution of 1861 declared allegiance to the Confederacy made it illegal to free enslaved people

What were some of the causes of Texas's efforts to break away from Mexico?

Correct Answer(s) Anglo settlers saw themselves as part of American westward expansion rather than as Mexican citizens. Texans desired bilingual education. Texans resented Mexico's restrictions on civil liberties. Incorrect Answer(s) Mexico was weakened by a war with France. Mexico was taxing Texas too much.

Which of the following statements about similarities between the Texas Constitution and the U.S. Constitution are true?

Correct Answer(s) Both protect the rights of individual citizens. Both provide the power for branches to limit the actions of one another. Both establish the people as the foundational source of government power. Both give the distinct branches of government autonomous powers. Incorrect Answer(s) Both specifically define authority very specifically to prevent abuses of power. Both define the authority to regulate and conduct elections.

What effect did the creation of decentralized boards and other districts outside the authority of the governor have on the Texas government?

Correct Answer(s) It created a system more susceptible to special interests. It made it more difficult to revise and reform policies affecting government power. Incorrect Answer(s) It made the people's voice in government stronger. It further enhanced the one-party dominance of the state.

How does the plural executive, as specified in Article 4 of the Texas Constitution, influence Texas government?

Correct Answer(s) It diffuses the functions of the executive among multiple offices. It ensures that each member of the plural executive has an independent base of power. It protects against concentration of power. Incorrect Answer(s) It ensures that policies are implemented more efficiently. It makes the governor more powerful.

The framers of the Texas Declaration of Independence were heavily influenced by the ideas of which of the following people?

Correct Answer(s) John Locke Thomas Jefferson Incorrect Answer(s) James Madison George Washington Thomas Hobbes

What were some of the primary complaints by Texans about the Mexican government prior to declaring independence from Mexico?

Correct Answer(s) Mexican policies limited immigration from the United States to Texas. Education was often offered only in the Spanish language. Texans felt they weren't given enough representation. Incorrect Answer(s) The Mexican government had abolished the republican form of government. Texans were being taxed to pay for the war with France.

Since 1983, Texans have voted to amend the state's constitution dozens of times. Turnout in these elections is always low, even when well-publicized amendments are on the ballot. For example, in 1991 and 2005, amendments were proposed to create the Texas lottery and ban same-sex marriages in the state, respectively—issues with significant public interest. The graph shows that while turnout in presidential elections since 1992 has hovered between 50 and 70 percent, turnout in constitutional amendment elections is rarely above 20 percent (and most often, less than 10 percent). Which of the following statements are reasonable conclusions to draw based on the data?

Correct Answer(s) Presidential elections consistently attract more than triple the turnout of amendment elections. Amendments dealing with social issues drive greater voter participation. Incorrect Answer(s) There is a consistent increase in voter turnout over time. People do not rely on the political parties to influence their voter behavior.

Study the following data on election turnout in Texas and determine which of the following statements are accurate.

Correct Answer(s) Turnout for presidential elections is far higher than turnout for constitutional amendment elections. Turnout for constitutional amendment elections is consistently low. Incorrect Answer(s) Well-advertised constitutional amendments can boost turnout to well over 30 percent. Presidential and constitutional amendment elections are held at the same time.

Which of the following concepts in the Texas Constitution of 1836 were adapted from Spanish-Mexican law?

Correct Answer(s) community property government retention of mineral rights homestead protections Incorrect Answer(s) protection of slavery criminal prosecution

What important functions are performed by state constitutions?

Correct Answer(s) divide authority within the political institutions of the state clarify the source of a state's political power specify the limits and uses of power by state institutions and individuals Incorrect Answer(s) empower the Republican and Democratic parties within the state establish limits on the influence of the federal government over states

Which factors gave the Tea Party high rates of success in influencing the outcomes of recent amendment elections in Texas?

Correct Answer(s) unity behind an issue low voter turnout Incorrect Answer(s) effective education of registered voters on the issues strong party affiliation

Voter participation in statewide constitutional amendment elections is most likely to see big increases under what circumstances?

Divisive social issues are on the ballot.

The U.S. Constitution specifies how powers are allocated within state-level institutions.

False

How do the Texas and U.S. constitutions compare on the issue of impeachment?

It is easier to impeach an individual in Texas than in the national government.

Texas has one of the lengthiest state constitutions. Which of the following is a reason that the state's constitution has been amended more than 500 times, even though it is nearly 100 years younger than the U.S. Constitution, which has only 27 amendments?

It places specific restrictions on the government and political process.

Which of the following is a reason why the Texas Constitution is so long and needs continuous updating?

It was originally written very specifically, in order to limit government power.

How many amendments does the current Texas Constitution have?

More than 500

Which statement best explains the state constitution's guarantee of a republican form of government?

People elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

What is the most consequential way in which Presidential Reconstruction differed from Congressional Reconstruction?

Presidential Reconstruction focused on returning the status quo of the past

Why is voter participation in Texas constitutional amendment elections so low?

Reason Turnout Is Low There are no candidates on the ballot. The elections are held on off years from major general elections. Many amendments are insignificant to voters. Not a Reason Turnout Is Low Few voters can pass the poll test. Voters must separately register to vote in constitutional amendment elections.

Answer the question using your knowledge of the current Texas Constitution and the graphics below. Which statement best explains why certain states have the longest state constitutions?

States with narrowly written and restrictive constitutions generally have the longest state constitutions.

Which statement accurately portrays the tax burden in Texas?

Texans still contribute about a twelfth of their income to state taxes.

Which of the following is true about the goals of Texas during its time as an independent republic?

Texans wanted to join the United States.

Which of the following accurately describes Texas's secession from the Union in 1861?

Texans were divided about leaving the Union.

Drag the following provisions of the Texas Constitution of 1876, the U.S. Constitution, or both to their proper place on the Venn diagram.

Texas Constitution of 1876 complex, specific, and long document free and equitable public schools victims' rights Both Bicameral Legislature Popular Sovereignty U.S. Constitution short document with flexible language supreme law single executive

Place the following events in the history of Texas in order from oldest to most recent.

Texas's independence from Mexico state of Texas joins the United States Civil War Fourteenth Amendment ratified Grange movement influences new Texas Constitution Texas Equal Rights Amendment added to the state constitution

What was the largest single influence on the Texas Constitution of 1876?

The Grange

Place the steps required to amend the Texas Constitution in the correct order.

The amendment is proposed in a regular or special session of the state legislature.The amendment is approved by two-thirds of both chambers of the state legislature.The wording of the proposed amendment is published twice in recognized newspapers.The amendment is approved by a simple majority of voters statewide.

As one of only a handful of states without a form of an income tax, what is the only way that Texas could institute an income tax statewide?

The legislature and voters would have to amend the constitution.

Before voters participate in a constitutional amendment election, what step must happen first?

The legislature votes to put the amendment on the ballot.

How do the lieutenant governor, who leads the Texas Senate, and the Speaker of the House, who leads the Texas House of Representatives, receive their positions of leadership?

The lieutenant governor is elected statewide, and the Speaker of the House is chosen by members of the Texas House of Representatives.

Before the 2019 amendment was passed, the state constitution allowed the state to create a state income tax, but the only time state leaders ever brought it up was in regard to what issue?

The state faced recurring budget issues and the need to fund public education.

Match the clause characteristic to the amendment in which it is found.

Thirteenth Amendment ends slavery Fifteenth Amendment bans race discrimination in voting Fourteenth Amendment defines who is a citizen forces states to follow due process to remove rights guarantees equal rights for people in all states

In what way is the process for amending the Texas Constitution different from the process for amending the U.S. Constitution?

Voters must ratify proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution.

Which of the following is the most accurate characterization of the current Texas Constitution?

a long and complex collection of specifically written policy

Match each structural feature of Texas government to the correct major theme of the Constitution of 1876 that it exemplifies.

economy in government spending cap set by projection of comptroller limited power of government biennial legislative sessions popular control of state government election of judges and nearly all statewide officials promotion of agrarian interests strong controls over banks and railroads

The authors of the Constitution of 1876 gave local schools control of education and allowed parents to choose whether or not to send their children to school. What goal did this accomplish?

prevent the use of tax dollars for racially integrated schools