Chapter 14

approximately how many state prisons does Texas have?

100

in which case did the Texas Supreme Court order major changes in the public education funding system?

Edgewood v. Kirby

Why is emergency room care a suboptimal way of providing health care to low-income Texans without health insurance?

Emergency room treatment is more expensive than preventive care would have been.

what has caused considerable subsidence in Houston and Galveston?

Excessive pumping of drinking water from the underground aquifer

which cities comprise the Texas urban triangle?

Houston, San Antonio, Austin, & Dallas-Fort Worth

margins tax

The states main business tax, enacted in 2006 to replace the franchise tax. This tax, which applies to corporations and professional partnerships such as law firms, is based on a companies annual revenue. Companies can deduct some of their cost, such as employees salaries, from the tax base. Many of the smaller companies in the state do not have to pay the tax.

deficit financing

borrowing money to meet operating expenses. It is prohibited by the Texas constitution, which provides that the state government must operate on a pay-as-you-go basis.

who is the Children's Health Insurance Program designed to cover?

children whose parents do not qualify for Medicaid and cannot afford private insurance

dedicated funds

constitutional or statutory requirements that restrict some state tax or three revenues to spending on specific programs.

which significant criminal justice steps did Texas take during the 1990s?

doubled the number of prisons and made major changes to the penal code

which two areas of the budget account for over 70 percent of the budget when combined?

education; health and human services

which statement best describes the traditional attitude of most Texas policymakers toward environmental regulation?

environmental policies must be crafted in a way that does not harm the Texas economy or infringe on individual property rights

what prompted Texas to impose some anti pollution measures to help reduce smog?

federal government requirements under the Clean Air Act

what is the "credit card" approach to Texas finances?

general obligation bonds

what is the main distinction between planned parenthood and the Texas women's health program?

planned Parenthood provides abortions, while the Texas women's health program does not

what is the direct effect of subsidence?

pumping of water from the ground causes sinkholes to develop

Why has Texas turned to borrowing money to pay for highway construction?

reluctance of state leaders to increase taxes

who pays Texas's margins tax?

some businesses

why is Texas's system of state and local taxes regressive?

the Texas revenue system is based largely on the sales tax, the local property tax, and fees — and not on an income tax.

sin tax

A common nickname for a tax on tobacco or alcoholic beverages.

lottery

A form of gambling, conducted by many states, in which participants purchase tickets that offer an opportunity to cash in on a winning number or set of winning numbers. Voters legalized a state lottery in Texas in 1991.

Permanent University Fund (PUF)

A land- and mineral-rich endowment that benefits the University of Texas and Texas A&M University systems, particularly the flagship universities in Austin and College Station.

House Bill 72

A landmark school reform law enacted in 1984 that reduced class sizes; imposed the no pass, no play rule; and made other educational improvements.

No pass, no play rule

A law stating that a student failing a course is restricted from participating in extracurricular activities for a specified period.

Edgewood v. Kirby

A lawsuit in which the Texas Supreme Court in 1989 declared the Texas school finance system unconstitutional because of wide disparities in property wealth and educational opportunities between school districts.

General Obligation Bonds

A method of borrowing money to pay for new construction projects such as roads, drainage, and physical facilities of a city. Generally requires citizen approval and repaid from general tax revenue.

sales tax

A tax charged as a set percentage of most retail purchases and many services. It is the main source of tax revenue for state government and important source of revenue for many cities and Metropolitan transit authorities.

Property or Ad Valorem Tax

A tax on homes, businesses, and certain other forms of property that is the main source of revenue for local governments. The tax is based on the assessed value of the property.

what is the US Supreme Court case that allows states to place restrictions on abortion provided they do not impose an undue burden?

Casey v. Planned Parenthood

what happens in the performance review stage of the policy process?

Agencies, legislative committees, and interest groups evaluate the effectiveness of public policies

which of these was a recent, prominent critic of how the death penalty is administered in Texas?

American Bar Association

which Texas cities have a light rail option for at least some commuters?

Austin, Houston, Dallas

which statement about the Texas budget is true?

It covers a two year period

The Texas Legislature created the margins tax in 2006. How successful has it been?

It has been unpopular and has failed to raise the revenue that was anticipated

How many executions did Texas carry out between 1982 and 2013?

More than 1/3 of all executions in the United States.

which fund is a major dedicated fund?

Permanent University Fund

why are revenues from Texas's gasoline tax declining?

Texans are driving more fuel-efficient cars

why are many low income Texans unable to receive health insurance coverage despite the passage of the fordable care act?

Texas decided not to expand its Medicaid coverage despite the fact that most of the cost would be paid by the federal government

which of the following contributed most significantly to the overcrowding of the Texas prison system?

Texas elected "law and order" candidates who were tough on crime, increasing the need for prisons.

which statement best describes Texas's funding of public education?

Texas spend less money per student than the vast majority of states

which statement best describes the status of a state personal income tax in Texas?

The state constitution bans a personal income tax without voter approval

which group is an example of an iron triangle?

The Texas Department of Transportation, the House and Senate Transportation Committees, and highway contractors

why does Texas have a high number of executions?

The death penalty has strong support from Texas citizens

Ruiz v. Estelle

a 1980 landmark federal court order that declared the state prison system unconstitutional and resulted in significant changes in state lockups

What is hydraulic fracturing?

an oil and gas drilling method that some believe poses environmental risks to groundwater

the best way to describe the lottery's contribution to public education is that the lottery pays for ______.

a small percentage of the public education budget

income tax

a tax based on a corporation's or an individual's income. Texas is one of only a few states without a personal income tax.

what did Texas's tuition deregulation law do?

allowed university governing boards to increase tuition without legislative approval

which of these is a potential indirect benefit of a public policy that assists low-income Texans?

an increase in the number of employable Texans

what is the first stage of the public policy process?

identifying a problem that government can address

Which model recognizes the multiple levels of government and the range of participants involved in the policymaking process?

issue networks

which describes an issue network?

it acknowledges the key roles of the iron triangle players, but it also takes into account the increased interdependence between state and local governments and the federal government

what is "pay-as-you-go" as it relates to the state budget of Texas?

it prohibits deficit financing for government programs and operations. The state comptroller must certify that each budget can be paid for with anticipated revenue from taxes, fees, and other sources of state income.

which statement reflects a major complaint about the two-year state budget cycle?

it requires too much guesswork from state agencies

which statement best describes Texas's university graduation record?

it's percentage of young adults with college degrees is below the national average

As of 2014, about ______ of the Texas population was without health insurance.

one-fifth

which tax is the biggest revenue source for Texas?

sales tax

How are Texas's public schools primarily funded?

state tax revenue and local property taxes

which of the following is an example of a direct benefit of a public policy?

tax breaks for oil companies

which of the following are so-called "sin taxes"?

taxes on alcohol and tobacco

the state budget represents the policy priorities of _______.

the governor and the legislature

which description of Texas's highway system is true?

the largest in the country

Who has the authority to transfer money between agencies to meet emergencies when the legislature is not in session?

the legislative budget board and the governor

Texas's tight-fisted attitude toward spending on health care and other human services ultimately can be traced to ________.

the self-help legacy of frontier colonists

which of these is a member of the "iron triangle" of education policymaking?

the state education commissioner

what is the main reason some school districts historically have been able to spend more money on education than other districts?

they have higher tax bases

according to a recent poll by Yale University, which group of Texans is largest?

those who believe that global warming is happening

how much of the revenue from the state motor fuels tax is dedicated to highways?

three-fourths

what was the main reason for the top 10% law?

to promote diversity in higher education in a way that was consistent with the Hopwood decision