Gov FINAL
Dennis Bonnen started his term as speaker:
With less political opposition than the previous speaker.
What two sources set the formal requirements to serve as a state judge in Texas?
the Texas Constitution and the Texas Legislature
According to Shaw, which group engages in vigorous debate over the relevance of political campaigns?
Political Scientists
Which statement BEST summarizes what these groups have in common?
All three desire an economic environment where businesses can thrive.
What is true of indigenous groups in early Texas history?
"Indigenous groups in early Texas history" refers to the large number of varying tribes, families, clusters, and other subgroups that migrated to the Texas territory over time. Many of these groups had different cultures, ranging from aggressive to peaceful, which makes it difficult to generalize their contributions.
How much did the house and senate agree to withdraw from the Rainy Day Fund?
$1 billion
How much did the Texas House want to withdraw from the Rainy Day Fund?
$2.5 billion
How much does a legislator in Texas get paid?
$600 a month plus a per diem
Roughly what percentage of Texas's 2014 spending was for DFPS?
1.5 percent
How many articles, not including the preamble, are included in the Texas Constitution?
17
What percentage of blacks in Texas said they think the death penalty is applied fairly?
17 percent
About how long did the Sunset review process take, from its beginning until the introduction of S.B. 206 in the senate?
18 months
How many legislators does Texas have?
181
The Texas Sunset Act, which established the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission, was passed in which year?
1977
When was the most recent attempt to propose a new constitution for the state of Texas?
1998 In 1998, Senator Bill Ratliff and Representative Rob Junell rewrote the 1876 constitution with the help of Angelo State University students, and introduced their draft for consideration to the 76th Legislature. The proposed legislation did not receive enough support in committee, and consequently was never considered on the floor by the full membership of either chamber.
In 2018, how many of the nine justices on the Texas Supreme Court were women?
2
Being convicted of the theft of a $150,000 Ferrari would result in what maximum punishment?
2-20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine
In what year did the Republican Party pick up the majority in both chambers of the Texas Legislature?
2002
In the cross-tabulation example (taken from the New York Times) on the "Polling 101 site," what percentage of African American respondents thought that race relations in their community were GENERALLY BAD?
21.7%
Growth in the Dallas/Forth Worth area and in Houston contributed a _____% increase in Texas' population from 2000 to 2010.
29%
In 2018, Anglos made up what % of Texas's population?
40.3%
How many executive offices does Article IV outline?
6
What percentage of Texans thought that education was the most important issue in February 2017?
6 percent
According to the Texas Constitution, how many days must pass in a legislative session before the legislature may act on pending legislation?
60
What percentage of the money for the Women's Health Program did the state of Texas lose when federal funding stopped?
90%
How many municipal courts were there in Texas in 2018?
940
Education officials assert that the SBOE has no jurisdiction over how local school districts teach the state curriculum. Which of the following represents some evidence that this assertion might not be true?
A court order blocked a school district from using the now publicly available lessons produced by CSCOPE.
The Texas Constitution is the second-longest of the 50 state constitutions. What is one contributing factor to its length?
A high level of detail is specified in the constitution, including policy matters such as the creation of the hospital districts.
which of following is NOT one of the conditions in Texas that reflect the policy preferences of business interests?
A highly effective education system.
What is the main difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?
A misdemeanor is a relatively minor, nonviolent crime, whereas a felony is deemed to pose a more serious threat to society.
Which of the following is the definition of ideology provided in the lecture?
A set of shared beliefs about the proper order of society and how it can be achieved
Overall, Texans are generally in support of all of the following policies EXCEPT: A significant social safety net Limited social services Limited government Laws which emphasize individual autonomy
A significant social safety net
In the hypothetical example in the video that uses Olson's framework in The Logic of Collective Action, the car companies are used as an example of how incentives shape the advantages of:
A small group.
What is the difference between a senate standing committee and special committee?
A standing committee is a permanent committee, while a special committee is a subcommittee of a standing committee.
Which of the following is NOT a valid form of identification under Texas's voter I.D. law?
A student identification card with a photo
Why was the Texas Association of Business against H.B. 187, the bill about unlawful employment practices?
According to the TAB scorecard, H.B. 187 would have virtually eliminated the statute of limitations for unlawful employment discrimination, making it more difficult for employers to resolve these types of cases.
Why are independence and accountability considered contradictory goals with respect to judges?
Accountability limits independence.
What lesson did Dave Fleischer, director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, say the group learned from previous campaigns?
Ads are more persuasive when they focus on human beings.
which of the following best describes Speaker Bonnen's relationship with the governor and Lt. governor at the beginning of his term?
All three agreed on putting property tax reduction and public school finance at the top of the agenda.
Which of the following BEST describes the power dynamic among the three branches of Texas government?
All three branches of Texas government were designed to be weak, with the legislative branch the least weak of the three.
What position(s) did the three groups take on H.B. 187?
All three were against the legislation. All three groups encouraged members to vote against House Bill 187.
Private/"special" Interest Groups
An interest group that seeks to protect or advance the material interests of its members
Which demographic group experienced the largest decline in population at the county-level from 2000 to 2010?
Anglo
Except for the Secretary of State, members of the executive branch in Texas:
Are elected by the voters.
Why have there been so many amendments to the Texas Constitution?
Because the Constitution contains operational detail in many areas.
which stage early in the legislative process is a factor that heavily influences a bill's probability of success?
Bill referral
which statement BEST summarizes how public opinion relates to death penalty cases in Texas?
Blacks have generally unfavorable views of the death penalty, so they are less likely than whites to be picked for a death-qualified jury.
in which of the following ways are Rick Perry and Greg Abbott similar?
Both mainly focused on maintaining the support of their partisans rather than seeking bipartisan support.
How can interest groups be most effective at achieving their policy goals when attending public meetings?
Bringing a large number of members to public meetings while articulating a clear and persuasive message can help interest groups achieve their policy goals, especially at the local level.
Which claim about business would Republicans be MOST likely to support?
Business owners have a right to conduct their businesses as they see fit. Republicans believe that business owners should be free from restrictions on the policies they choose to implement.
What does Texas's balanced budget requirement entail?
By law, the state legislature cannot adopt a budget that exceeds anticipated revenue.
What were the overall findings of the investigation, as reported in the video about CPS?
CPS caseworkers might be able to use certain abuse risk factors to intervene more rapidly
In what way is online campaign advertising different from running television advertisements?
Campaigns can target individual voters online
CHAPTER 10: THE JUDICIAL BRANCH
Central Ideas: Both the United States and Texas use the common law system, which relies on written laws as well as judges' interpretations of those laws over time. The Texas court system, like the state itself, is very large and complex. In using partisan elections to select judges, Texas prizes accountability over independence in the judiciary.
In which of the following ways does the ability to generate revenue differ between larger cities and smaller cities?
Cities with more than 5,000 residents can set higher property tax rates than cities with fewer than 5,000 residents.
which of the following political philosophies places high value on the exercise of individual liberty?
Classical liberalism
How are incumbents affected by committee membership, and why?
Committee membership confers advantages to incumbents because they can shape legislation in order to collect campaign contributions from interest groups.
Which of the following is true of Texas's incarceration rates for 2018?
Compared to other states, Texas had the 7th highest rate of incarceration.
Which of the following pairs accurately describes trends in collision with each other in Texas?
Conservative state governmental institutions and increasingly liberal urban areas
According to the lecture, for most of the period of Democratic dominance in Texas:
Conservatives were the dominant force within the Democratic Party.
According to the video, members of the lobby provide the legislature with all of the following EXCEPT: Procedural expertise Institutional memory Policy knowledge
Constituent services
successful legislators place a high priority on staff attention to constituent relations because:
Constituents' votes are important to their re-election.
All of the following are examples of local governments EXCEPT: Independent School Districts counties cities
Court of Appeals
The exclusion of cell phone users from Random Digit Dialing (RDD) samples is an example of what kind of error in polling?
Coverage error
In which of the following windows does the Texas Constitution state that committees in each chamber shall hold hearings on bills, resolutions, and emergency matters?
Days 31-60
The Convention of 1875
Democratic leaders triumphed in the 1873 elections with a coalition of businessmen, large agricultural interests, and white voters, capping their long effort to return to power during Reconstruction. The victors sought to replace the constitution, but they disagreed on how to draft a new one. Some elected officials wanted special committees in the legislature to do it. Others, mainly in the Texas House of Representatives, felt that voters should have a more direct role. When a legislative committee finally drafted a new constitution, the house then promptly defeated it. The public, dismayed by the defeat, clamored for a convention. Notable Features: Traditional agricultural interests dominated this constitutional convention (in contrast to the prior one, where business and development interests were strongest) and sought to undo many of the preceding constitution's provisions. Government was decentralized and state programs were rolled back. The state education system was considerably weakened. Taxes were rolled back, too, cutting state government salaries, restricting expenditures, and lowering the state debt. Terms of many public offices were limited and the activities of state banks and railroads were curtailed.
Where did the term "Yellow Dog Democrat" come from?
Democratic voters acquired this moniker when they vowed that they would vote for a yellow dog before voting for a Republican.
Which of the following has been a factor in the increasing party competition that has inflated the costs of campaigning in Texas? Increased television advertising has allowed for more negative campaigns from both parties, causing a spiral effect. Demographic shifts in Texas have raised the possibility of a Democratic resurgence. The Republican Party has become divided between traditional pro-business moderates and recent Tea Party conservatives. The use of social media in Texas political campaigns has contributed to increased party competition.
Demographic shifts in Texas have raised the possibility of a Democratic resurgence.
According to Shaw in "Social Media as Campaign Tools," party organizations and interest groups utilize social media first and foremost to:
Disseminate information and establish networks
What is one trend that occurs when one party is dominant in state or national politics?
Divisions within the dominant party tend to become more important than divisions between the parties. Within the Texas Democratic Party, these divisions developed around a number of issues that emerged in the late 19th century, including organized labor, tenant farmers, railroad reform, temperance, and minority rights.
What was the outcome of Lieutenant Governor Patrick's call for Scribner's resignation?
Dr. Scribner continued as the superintendent.
when is the public most likely to use information from public polls?
During presidential primary campaigns.
which of the following cities in Texas is NOT among the top most populous cities in America? San Antonio Fort Worth El Paso Austin
El Paso
Which of the following represents one of the Texas Republican Party's stances on gun control?
Eliminate gun-free zones. By stating "we oppose state-mandated location restrictions, the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990, and the National Firearms Act," the Republican platform advocates eliminating gun-free zones.
Which of the following arguments is commonly used in favor of the death penalty?
Fear of the death penalty will make potential criminals think twice.
FECA
Federal Election Campaign Act (1971) increased disclosure of contributions for federal campaigns. Amended to place legal limitations on campaign contributions. Distinguished between hard money for candidates and soft money for campaigns
. The ________ is a result of the rules of the legislative body designed to pace the lawmaking process and encourage orderly consideration of public policy.
Flow of legislation
In Special Constitutional elections, what do interest groups generally do to maximize their impact?
Focus on mobilizing turnout among their members.
The Texas Constitution allows the legislature to suspend the provisions that dictate the session's schedule. How many members of the legislature must vote in the affirmative in order to suspend these provisions?
Four-fifths
While the Democratic Party was dominant within Texas, the Republican Party dominated national politics. Which president brought the Democratic Party to national dominance?
Franklin D. Roosevelt First elected to the U.S. presidency in 1932, Franklin Delano Roosevelt brought the Democratic Party to national dominance.
Which of the following terms is defined in Sec. 17-2 of HERO and directly relates to the controversy over bathroom usage?
Gender identity. The ordinance defines this term as a person's identification with a particular gender, which may or may not be the same as the gender assigned to that person at birth.
CHAPTER 2: ELECTIONS, VOTING, AND CAMPAIGNS
General ideas: Texas has primary elections, general elections, and special elections, and makes it easier for candidates to get on the general election ballot if they represent one of the two major parties. Despite few formal requirements for voting, Texas's voter-turnout rates are lower than in most other states, particularly during off-year elections. Campaigns spend most of their limited resources on television advertising, but are increasingly employing sophisticated uses of data to identify, contact, and mobilize sympathetic voters. Rising campaign costs have coincided with periodic alterations to campaign finance laws, sparking fierce debate over the role of money in politics.
Which of the following statements is accurate according to polling data presented in the video about Governor Abbot?
Governor Abbott 's job approval ratings were substantially higher among Republicans than Lieutenant Governor Patrick's ratings.
So far, how has Governor Abbott's use of the veto compared to that of other Texas governors?
Governor Abbott has vetoed a higher-than-average number of bills despite working with a Republican legislature.
What did Republicans do in 2003 to address the disparity between Republicans' success in statewide races and their minority presence in the U.S. House of Representatives?
Governor Rick Perry called a special session of the legislature to draft redistricting legislation that appeared to give Republicans the chance to gain many more House seats.
the range of reasons for interest groups to want to lobby government has increased because of:
Growth in the size and complexity of the Texas economy.
Why should political parties ideally be "participatory vehicles"?
Having politically involved members is important for determining both the shape and leadership of a party.
How does Talmadge Heflin describe the budget shortfall?
He denies that it exists.
How is the county judge for each county chosen?
He or she is elected by all the voters in the county.
How does Abbott's stance on transportation reflect the views of Texans as indicated in the TTI poll?
He promises more money for transportation, but not from toll roads.
Texas culture tends to portray private sector entrepreneurs as:
Heroic risk-takers.
which of the following political factors has contributed to Dan Patrick's power as Lt. Governor during the 2015 and 2017 legislative sessions?
His cultivation of conservative voters.
Which demographic group experienced the largest increase in population at the county-level from 2000 to 2010?
Hispanic
In which of the following ways are home rule cities distinct from general law cities?
Home rule cities are at liberty to adopt their own government charters.
The Constitutions of 1836
Hurried conventioneers lifted whole portions from the U.S. Constitution and several state constitutions. Due in part to the rush, and also likely due to the precedent set by the brevity of the U.S. Constitution, the document was quite brief. It included a number of familiar features: a short preamble separation of powers into three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) a bicameral legislature checks and balances on the powers of each branch a bill of rights democratic selection of government officeholders (restricted to free, non-indigenous males)
how did the outcome of the Civil War shape the criminal justice system during the remainder of the 19th century?
Imprisonment was used as a way to control newly empowered African Americans.
What is the key difference between a mayor-council government and a council-manager government?
In a council-manager government, the day-to-day functions of the city are overseen by an unelected city manager.
What would happen if cases were decided based on written law alone?
Inconsistencies might emerge in the rulings issued by different judges.
committee chairs often orchestrate compromise among stakeholders on a piece of legislation to increase its likelihood of success. Which of the following terms was used to explain this critical component of the legislative process?
Induced negotiations
why do news organizations like to cover public polling of elections?
Information about who is winning and losing in a campaign enables the media to keep readers interested in a narrative.
Dallas' Light Rail system is an example of which of the following aspects of local government covered in lecture? Choose the best answer.
Innovative problem solvers
How did the Texas House compromise?
It approved delaying the use of sales taxes for highway maintenance.
What is the political effect of holding gubernatorial and other executive branch office elections in Texas in off years?
It insulates the election of statewide offices from national politics.
What effect does the plural executive have on governors?
It weakens governors by allowing the electorate to choose their executive officers for them.
How did people obtain bureaucratic jobs in the 19th century?
Jobs were awarded based on political allegiance.
Which of the following is true of judges in the judicial system created by the Texas Constitution?
Judges are elected to office.
there is a bias toward inaction in the Texas legislature, as is the case with most government institutions. Which of the following best describes what is a bias toward inaction?
Large-scale change is difficult to achieve due to the complexities related to government institutions and the lawmaking process.
all of the following have influenced the discussion of the criminal justice system in Texas in recent years EXCEPT: Problems in the state's youth justice system. Experiments with alternatives to incarceration. Declining crime rates.
Legislative changes in drug sentencing laws.
which group manages constituent relations for House and Senate members?
Legislative staff
What is the difference between house and senate representation in Texas?
Legislators in the house represent smaller districts with fewer constituents and have shorter terms than senators
views of the role of business actors in politics tend to express the political culture's tendency to value:
Liberty more than equality.
What is the ultimate effect of having a "citizen legislature" with low salaries that require legislators to have other full-time occupations?
Lobbyists are typically better equipped than legislators to develop policy expertise and devote their full attention to legislative issues.
What is the status of local government power under Dillon's Rule?
Local government power emanates from the state, and the state may limit it.
What does the concept of local control mean?
Local government should be able to craft policies to cater to its citizens, since it is much closer to them.
which of the following powers is possessed by the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives?
Making committee appointments
The reasoning behind the Citizens United v. FEC decision has to do with the way the United States understands the constitutionally guaranteed rights of citizens and interests to free speech. Why does making political donations fall in this category?
Making donations is understood to be petitioning government and therefore falls under the constitutionally guaranteed rights of the First Amendment.
Which of the following health care programs administered by the state of Texas relies heavily on federal funding?
Medicaid
In general, what can we conclude about hybrid legislatures versus the other categories of state legislatures?
Members of hybrid legislatures are compensated more than those in the average part-time state.
Direct Spanish influence on the culture of Texas is overshadowed by which of the following related cultural influences?
Mexican culture Culturally, the original Spanish influence was much more limited than the eventual influence of Texans of Mexican descent who contributed to the founding of the state.
Based on what you have learned, which statement offers the BEST conclusion regarding constitutional amendment elections and voter turnout?
Money is important, but the nature of the issue is just as important.
What information can elected officials learn from public opinion?
More detail about what their constituents want.
What conclusions can be drawn from the public opinion poll on improving police-community relations?
More minority respondents support increased funding for police training than white respondents.
Which of the following best describes Barry McBee's discussion of the potential for public education to fall outside of the "low tax, low service" orientation of Texas voters?
Most Texans and policymakers have a limited understanding of how public education is funded.
What do the top ten states in 2018 voter turnout have in common?
Most have same-day registration policies. Of the top ten states for voter turnout in the 2018 midterm elections, seven have same-day registration.
Which statement MOST accurately describes the death penalty in Texas?
Nine of the top 15 counties that execute the most prisoners are in Texas.
According to the "Top Opposing Committees" list, which committee contributed the most against Prop 2?
No Nonsense in November
In what way does the policy evaluation stage create a "feedback loop" in the policymaking process?
Official evaluations of enacted and implemented policies often identify new problems, which leads to another round of agenda setting, policy selection, and so on.
Murdock discusses 2040 projections for aging in Texas. According to the video, the majority of Texas counties will be what in 2040?
Older
Which of the following patterns is characteristic of the succession of party systems in Texas?
One party tends to dominate elections for long periods of time. In Texas's history, major events like the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the civil rights era have created the tendency for one party to dominate elections for a long time.
What is one benefit of using short online videos in campaigns?
Online videos are less expensive than television advertisements.
Legislative Branch 3 main areas
Organization, apportionment of seats, and qualifications for office (sections 1-28) Proceedings (sections 29-41) Powers, requirements, and restrictions on powers (sections 42-67) The framers of the Texas Constitution limited the state legislature's ability to pass laws concerning local authority in counties and municipalities. It could not regulate local government affairs, locate or change county seats, or specify election locations. Such restrictions may seem at odds with the constitution's thorough description of county and municipality regulations, but they're consistent with the framers' distrust of elected representatives at all levels.
What role do parties play in deciding which candidates will appear on the ballot under a party's name?
Parties have very little direct control over who can run under a party's name, though party leaders and rank-and-file members alike may be involved in recruiting candidates.
What does race have to do with the death penalty in Texas?
People of color make up a disproportionate number of inmates on death row in Texas.
How do Texas's per-pupil spending and on-time graduation rates compare to the national averages for these metrics?
Per-pupil spending rates are lower than the national average, while graduation rates are higher.
Which of the following is TRUE regarding methods of execution?
Pharmaceutical manufacturers have been reluctant to provide drugs used for execution, forcing states to look to unregulated pharmacies.
Which of the following is a procedural tactic often used to impede the progress and success of legislation?
Point of order
According to public opinion polls, which of the following BEST explains racial difference toward police?
Police favorability among African Americans is twice as low compared to white and Hispanic respondents.
the shared values, beliefs, and behaviors regarding government and politics that develop over time through the process of political socialization.
Political culture
According to Daron Shaw in "Types of Campaign Ads," how do the public's perceptions of campaign ads differ from the views of political scientists?
Political scientists are more likely to view contrast ads as informative and not necessarily negative
What happened when public opinion in Texas began to show more tolerance of same-sex relationships?
Polling results were greeted with surprise and skepticism because they seemed to contradict the strong influence of social conservatism in the state.
Which of the following is a limitation of using approval ratings to measure the current standing of the governor?
Polls rarely contain information regarding the reasoning behind people's opinions.
What policy has the Trump administration adopted in regard to abortion providers?
President Trump has signed legislation intended to withhold federal dollars from organizations that perform abortions.
The common law system is built on precedent. What does this mean?
Previous court decisions are applied to current and future cases.
a lobbyist with extensive first-hand knowledge of the rules governing how bills are reviewed and voted on in committees would be recognized for his:
Procedural expertise
What has been one of the main problems when implementing criminal justice reform in Texas?
Programs have been underfunded.
What is the difference between progressive and regressive taxation?
Progressive taxation has high-income people pay a higher percentage of their income in taxes, while regressive taxation has low-income people pay a higher percentage in taxes.
A central issue in the funding of public education in Texas is the link of school financing to...
Property taxes
What evidence from the Dallas Morning News demonstrates that implicit bias plays a role in the jury selection process?
Prosecutors dismissed all black Americans who said they had a bad experience with the police but only 39 percent of whites who said the same thing.
What did the study by the NAACP's Legal Defense Fund reveal about prosecutors in Harris County during the period surrounding Buck's trial?
Prosecutors were three times more likely to seek a death sentence for black defendants than white defendants.
The Texas Sunset Commission was established to review:
Public agencies.
Which of the following is true regarding the relationship between public and private interest groups?
Public and private interest groups are not necessarily adversarial, as their goals may directly overlap in some cases.
what method is generally used to measure scientifically the expression of people's attitudes?
Public opinion surveys
What is the main characteristic of a scientific sample?
Random selection of potential survey respondents.
In referencing Robert Putnam's book Bowling Alone, Professor Shaw emphasizes the importance of social media to politics because it has:
Reenergized communal ties
Which of the following represents one of the Texas Democratic Party's stances on gun control?
Repeal open-carry laws.
which of the following is an effect of the increasing number of Democratic voters in the state's major urban areas?
Republican elected officials at the state level have been more likely to reverse policies implemented at the local level.
states most likely to have passed voter ID bills at the time the legislation was being discussed in Texas were governed by:
Republican governors and Republican legislatures.
In the "most important problems facing Texas" polling items discussed, immigration and border security were cited by large shares of which of the following groups of Texans?
Republicans
Which of the following groups is MOST likely to view Texas government as a model for other states?
Republicans
Which of the following BEST summarizes Texans' attitudes toward the ACA?
Republicans and independents generally oppose it, while Democrats generally support it.
which governor has issues the most vetoes in post-World War II Texas history?
Rick Perry
What is the central transportation issue facing Texas today?
Road construction and maintenance has not kept up with population growth and the associated increase of cars on the state's roads and highways.
The proportion of Texans who identify as Republicans and Democrats is:
Roughly equal.
The "margin of error" typically reported with polls refers to what kind of error?
Sampling error
How is the governor's appointment power limited?
Senatorial courtesy allows the senator from the district of a nominee to effectively veto the governor's appointment.
Why might some municipalities choose NOT to seek the death penalty?
Some municipalities do not have the resources to afford the high costs associated with seeking the death penalty.
How did total spending on campaigns for the U.S. House of Representatives change from 1998 to 2018?
Spending almost tripled. The total cost of campaigns for the U.S. House of Representatives nearly tripled between 1998 and 2018, increasing from $571 million to over $1.5 billion.
Why are state and local campaigns still relying on older methods of campaigning such as door-to-door canvassing and direct mail?
State and local races are small in scale and lack the resources to pay the high costs of analytics-driven targeting.
Which of the following is a key reason criminal justice legislation passed at both the state and national level over the last decade?
State and national partisans from varying sides of the political spectrum agreed reform is needed.
What contradiction do critics see in the position of supporters of "states' rights"?
Supporters of states' rights agree to take federal money but resist federal direction on policy.
What statement best captures the difference between Texans and all Americans when it comes to support for transgender rights?
Texans are only slightly less likely than Americans in general to support laws protecting transgender rights. About 35 percent of all Americans strongly support these laws, compared with 33 percent of Texans.
According to the "Top Supporting Committees" list, which committee contributed the most in support of Prop 2?
Texans for Marriage
What do public opinion polls reveal about the attitudes of Texans toward their state government?
Texans generally approve of the job done by their state government, but they are more disapproving of the performance of their state legislature.
What do public opinion polls reveal about Texans' attitudes toward the federal government?
Texans generally have an unfavorable view of the performance of the federal government.
According to the poll results, what have Texas drivers done in response to traffic congestion?
Texans have not significantly altered their transportation methods or lifestyles in response to this issue.
Which of the following describes a difference in voting requirements between Texas and the New England states of Maine and New Hampshire? Texans have to wait longer for voter identification cards. Texans have to bring more forms of ID to the polls. Texans have to register to vote earlier. Texans have to travel greater distances to vote.
Texans have to register to vote earlier. While voters in New Hampshire and Maine can register on the day of the election, Texans must register to vote at least 30 days before the election.
To what extent does the Texas attorney general (AG) handle criminal issues?
The AG supports and advises city- and county-level officials in promoting awareness on crime and safety issues.
Prior to the 1930s, how did the U.S. Supreme Court respond to conflicts between the national and state governments?
The Court generally supported dual federalism.
What was the "Missouri Plan" included in the 1975 proposed revision to the Texas Constitution?
The Missouri Plan involved a nonpartisan commission that reviews candidates for a judicial vacancy and then sends a list of the top qualified candidates to the governor for him to choose among within 60 days.
There are three stages to the sunset review process. What is the third stage according to the lecture?
The Sunset Commission's report is turned into a legislative bill.
Why has the Texas Ethics Commission faced severe criticism over its enforcement of campaign laws?
The TEC does not sufficiently investigate complaints of violations. While the TEC is empowered to hear complaints, it has faced severe criticism for not sufficiently investigating complaints of campaign violations.
Why does Texas have a State Board of Education (SBOE)?
The Texas Constitution designates the SBOE to implement the mandate for a free public education system.
Which of the following is TRUE of Texas courts of appeals?
The Texas Constitution was amended to give the legislature the power to create additional courts of appeals.
In which of the following were the Democrats most successful in gaining representation in the 2018 election?
The Texas House of Representatives.
What do Texas drivers think about the performance of transportation agencies, such as the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)?
The agencies perform well in some functions but lag behind in financial transparency and determining solutions to issues.
What happens to someone who is appointed to office by a governor while the legislature is not in session?
The appointee's tenure is still subject to senate confirmation once the legislature reconvenes.
Why is the influence of watchdog groups limited?
The appointment of interest group members to state and local boards is not illegal under state law While watchdog groups do investigate how interests gain influence, including their appointment to state and local boards, these types of appointments are not illegal under state law.
What are the stipulations placed by the Texas Republican Party on their support for a barrier along the border (such as a wall or fence)?
The barrier must be feasible and useful. The Republican platform specifies that some sort of border wall or fence must be feasible and useful, with accompanying personnel and technology.
Why do elected leaders and other political actors use elements of political culture to assist them in their efforts?
The can use political culture to influence voters. Elected leaders and other political actors invoke elements of political culture knowing that these elements resonate with voters and can possibly influence how they vote.
What occurs when a committee pigeonholes a bill?
The committee moves that bill to the bottom of the committee's agenda, effectively killing it.
How does one become an election judge for a general election?
The county commissioners court appoints a presiding judge and an alternate judge.
What is one important reason why the Texas Supreme Court may be susceptible to improper influence by moneyed interests?
The court does not reveal how the justices voted in each decision to accept or reject a petition for appeal.
What does it mean for a court to have original jurisdiction over a case?
The court has the authority to hear the case first, before any other court.
Based on the information presented in the text, which of the following statements about the death penalty's deterrent effect is MOST accurate?
The death penalty is probably ineffective as a deterrent, given that other variables might also affect homicide rates.
What is the distinction between an interest group and a group of people with common interests?
The distinction is based on political engagement. Interest groups, unlike people with common interests, are politically active—they pool their resources and engage in collective action.
Which factor matters most when presidents run for re-election?
The economy
Which statement would someone who supports varying local ordinances MOST likely say?
The government that governs best is the one closest to the people it governs.
What authority does the governor have over the state budget?
The governor can transfer money between programs or agencies in an emergency.
How does the house differ from the senate?
The house is larger, more diverse, and typically more unpredictable than the senate.
Which chamber impeaches, and which chamber tries the case?
The house of representatives impeaches and then the senate tries the case.
When releasing a public poll, professional rules of disclosure require the release of ALL of the following information about the poll EXCEPT: The size of the sample. The identity of the respondents. Dates of the interviewing. The complete wording of all questions.
The identity of the respondents.
Which of the following is TRUE of the Texas prison system?
The incarcerated population in Texas has often been subjected to inhumane treatments and conditions.
What is true of Texas's population growth?
The increasing share of the population made up of ethnic minorities is poised to alter a political culture based on the historical dominance of politics and society by Anglos, who are no longer the majority ethnic group
At the end of the last day of a legislative session, what happens to legislation that has not been approved by both houses?
The legislation is dead.
Which of the following conclusions can be drawn from the debate surrounding the use of the Rainy Day Fund?
The legislative process involves input by interests outside the legislature and compromises between members of the legislature.
Which of the following is mentioned in lecture as the reason why the Texas legislature accomplishes very few formal tasks in the first month of a session?
The legislature cannot vote on anything except emergency items in the first month.
Which of the following makes the lieutenant governor such a powerful figure in the legislature?
The lieutenant governor can assign bills to specific committees.
Which of the following BEST describes the Texas judiciary?
The majority of judges are male and Republican, with an average age of 56 to 62.
In the poll discussed in the"A Trickle of Votes for a Water Fund," what was the pattern of results when the voter screen was tightened to include smaller numbers of likely voters?
The margin of support for the water amendment increased.
in calling attention to a piece of legislation and creating public pressure, which one of the following groups can help elevate legislation onto the agenda of the Texas legislature?
The news media.
policy initiatives in large Texas cities increasingly reflect:
The partisan characteristics of urban populations.
What is the result of cities passing local ordinances, according to Abbott?
The patchwork of local laws is burdensome to conducting business in Texas.
If the governor makes a commutation of state charges in a death penalty case, what does this mean for the defendant?
The penalty in the case is reduced.
What is Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick's main argument about the "Transgender Student Guidelines" put in place by superintendent Dr. Scribner?
The policy threatens the safety of girls. He writes, "Campus safety should be of paramount concern for anyone in [Dr. Scribner's] position. Every parent, especially those of young girls, should be outraged."
Which of the following was NOT discussed as a condition in 2018 that favored Democrats?
The presence of an effective Democratic candidate for governor.
Why were single-member districts uniformly implemented for the 1972 elections?
The previous system was detrimental to the voting strength of minorities.
How has an increased media focus on exonerations and wrongful executions led the public to change its perspective on the death penalty?
The public has developed a more nuanced perspective on the use of the death penalty, considering it in terms of accuracy rather than just morality.
Which statement BEST explains why overall contributions to political campaigns in Texas were higher in 2014 than in 2016?
The race for governor significantly increases the total amount of money spent on political campaigns.
What happens after a defendant is found guilty of a capital felony in a case where the death penalty is sought?
The ruling is automatically appealed to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.
Why have most people not been been contacted to participate in a public opinion poll?
The small number of people necessary for a sample make the odds of being chosen to participate very small.
The Republican Party of Texas Reasons for Success
The success of the Republican Party in Texas reflects the widespread identification of Texas voters with the party, the party's effectiveness as an organization, and a general satisfaction with the performance of Republican officials in government.
Which of the following statements BEST explains why the legislature takes redistricting seriously?
The success or failure of a redistricting plan can have a great impact on legislators' reelection prospects.
which of the following statements about the transition from the Speakership of Tom Craddick to that of Joe Straus is most accurate?
The transition received a lot of attention from political reporters.
Proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution must ultimately be approved by who?
The voters.
How do the statements of Governor Abbot and Lieutenant Governor Patrick relate to social conservatism?
Their statements oppose social change and support the preservation of traditional values.
According to lecture, which of the following is true of Latino voters as a group?
Then tend to support Democratic candidates by modest margins.
Bully pulpit
Theodore Roosevelt's description of the presidency as a position from which one can command attention and attempt persuasion. 7.9
What real effect does the "constitutional order of business" have on legislation?
There is a frantic scramble to deal with large numbers of bills during the final few weeks of the session.
What can we say, generally, about hybrid legislatures?
There is a great deal of variety in membership and compensation, but all are part-time legislatures.
What happens if no candidate wins a majority of votes in a Texas primary election?
There is a runoff election between the two candidates with the most votes to decide who will run in the general election.
Bureaucracies rely on complex procedures to make sure that laws are consistent and fair across a wide range of situations. What is the end result of this?
There is an inherent degree of complexity involved in bureaucracies, which tends to make citizens frustrated because things often take longer than expected.
What stance does the Texas Republican platform take on those who oppose homosexuality out of faith, conviction, or belief in traditional values?
There should be no criminal or civil penalties against those who oppose homosexuality.
Texas's decision to not participate in two key provisions of the ACA will have which of the following results?
There will not be any increase in federal funding of health care for Texans or any increase in health-related services provided by the state.
Which of the following is TRUE of Texas district courts?
These courts have original jurisdiction in all felony criminal cases, divorce cases, and cases involving title to land.
In what way do counties function as an arm of state government?
They administer elections, maintain official records, and collect some taxes.
What is one flaw of many constitutions?
They are deeply influenced by the historical and cultural context of the time in which they were written. The U.S. Constitution, unlike many other countries' constitutions, is rarely amended to fit the times.
Which of the following is a key power enjoyed by citizens of home rule cities?
They can determine the form their municipal government will take and how city officials will be elected.
What does it mean that legislators have certain "immunities"?
They cannot be sued for slander or otherwise held accountable for statements made during legislative proceedings.
What role do policy advocacy groups play in the debate over the Rainy Day Fund?
They provide arguments for and against using the fund.
According to the Texas Tribune, what are Texas Republicans' views on local control?
They support state power over local government "tyranny."
What is true regarding African Americans in early Texas history?
They were involved in Reconstruction politics and helped shape the current state institution. During the Reconstruction era of the late 19th century, 43 African Americans served in the state legislature, several of whom also participated in the constitutional convention of 1875.
The governor has no formal authority over most executive branch officials in Texas.
True
According to the video, the value of procedural knowledge and institutional memory in the legislature is a result of turnover among elected officials as well as -
Turnover among legislative staff.
What does polarization in politics mean?
Two opposing or conflicting principles, tendencies, or points of view exist on a topic, with the majority of opinions being at extremes.
How might voters exposed to poll results be influenced by the "bandwagon effect"?
Undecided voters are likely to cast their ballots for the candidate they think is the probable winner.
Which claim about unions would Democrats be MOST likely to support?
Unions protect workers' wages.
The legislature can do all of the following in the first 30 days of a regular session EXCEPT: Consider emergency appropriations. Confirm recess appointees of the Governor. Introduce bills and resolutions.
Vote on bills and resolutions.
What are the requirements for voter registration in Maine and Minnesota?
Voter registration forms must be received 21 days before the election, or voters may register in person on Election Day.
What is one consequence of passing numerous proposed amendments during one election?
Voters may feel both overwhelmed and uninformed. The result is chronically low voter turnout.
What are Texas's rules regarding voter registration?
Voters must register 30 days prior to the day of the election.
What is the result of judges not receiving much media coverage during election season, and not spending as much as other politicians on advertising?
Voters must take it upon themselves to become informed about judicial elections, if they choose to do so.
Why does using local property taxes to fund schools create inequalities across Texas's public education system?
Wealthier districts generate more tax revenues than poorer districts to fund their schools.
According to the discussion in the video, when did the transition from Democratic to Republican dominance become complete?
When Republicans achieved a majority in the Texas House of Representatives.
What is the impact of the attorney general on public policy?
When the attorney general issues an opinion on public policy, it carries the force of law.
According to Texas Tribune reporter Jolie McCullough, does race play a role in deciding who gets the death penalty?
Yes, because statistics and unconscious bias reveal that racism persists in areas like jury selection.
Under what conditions are you not eligible to vote? You are a man who turned 18 three months before the election. You are a convicted felon whose sentence has been completed. You are a woman who has lived in the county for 35 days. You are a convicted felon whose sentence has not been completed
You are a convicted felon whose sentence has not been completed
Pro tempore
a Latin phrase meaning "for the time being," which in a legislative context refers to certain temporary leadership positions. 8.15
Which of the following is a characteristic of the political climate in Texas after the civil rights movement?
a comparatively low level of state-funded social services, which are kept minimal by a general hostility toward progressive taxation. Other characteristics of the political climate include conservative social policies and support for the private sector.
Impeachment
a component of the legal method of removing high-level government officials prior to the next election. Involves the accusation or indictment of an official by the Texas House of Representatives, to be followed by a trial in the Texas Senate. 8.12
Constable
a county-level licensed peace officer who serves legal documents and is a bailiff for the Justice of the Peace Court. 11.6
Indictment
a formal written accusation submitted to a court by a grand jury alleging that a specific person has committed a specific crime, usually a felony. A method of charging someone with the commission of one or more offenses and indicating to the court that there are sufficient grounds to proceed with a trial. 11.7
What does it take to override the comptroller?
a four-fifths majority in both houses of the legislature
Separation of powers
a functional division of governmental offices and personnel used in U.S. national government and state governments, including that of Texas. 5.11
Homestead protection
a legal exemption that protects at least part of the value of the homestead (the primary residence owned and lived in by a person or a family) from creditors. 5.4
Adjudication
a legal process whereby an arbiter or judge makes a legal judgment on a disputed matter. 11.5
Filibuster
a legislative tactic for senators to kill a bill by holding the floor for as long as they can speak, effectively blocking a vote on the proposed legislation. 9.7
Which of the following would the Republican Party MOST likely support?
a limited government involvement in economic activity Republicans tend to support less government involvement and regulation in the economy.
What is the "Texas Model" heralded by Governor Abbott?
a model of government that favors lower taxes and reduced regulation of business
Exurbs
a populated region or settlement outside a city, usually beyond its established suburbs. 12.12
In Texas, the combination of population growth and limited spending on social services has contributed to which of the following?
a poverty rate higher than the national average
According to the article, what method did supporters of Prop 2 use to motivate and educate voters?
a rally outside the courthouse
Texas has recently seen a dramatic population increase, driven primarily by
a rapidly growing Latino population.
Case law
a record of precedents, or previous decisions of the courts in similar cases, used in common law systems to justify resolution of newly arising disputes according to the patterns established in previous cases. 10.2
Ordinance
a regulation enacted by a municipality or other local government. Like statutes, these have the force of law but must comply with state and national laws. Municipal and other local ____________ are issued under the authority derived from a grant of power (such as a city charter) by a sovereign entity (such as a state). 10.3
Regular session
a required biennial, 140-day meeting of the Texas Legislature mandated by the constitution and state law. 8.3
What type of election is held when a legislative or congressional seat becomes vacant before the end of the current occupant's term?
a special election Special elections are also held for proposed constitutional amendments and city council seats.
What is required to approve the use of money from the Rainy Day Fund?
a supermajority vote of each chamber of the legislature
Direct election
a system of choosing officeholders in which voters directly cast ballots for a particular person. 2.2
Progressive taxation
a tax or taxation system in which the payers remit more taxes as their income levels increase. 14.4
Regressive taxation
a tax or taxation system in which the tax takes a greater percentage of lower incomes than of higher incomes. 14.4
What is the central water issue facing Texas today?
a water shortage created by a growing population and an extreme drought
Considering state expenditures by category, roughly what portion of the state budget goes to education grants?
about a quarter
At a basic level, what is the primary goal of most political advertising?
achieving name recognition for a candidate Simply getting the candidate's name before the public is a fundamental goal of political advertising, as name recognition is critical in politics. Often it is a deciding factor in local or "down-ballot" races.
When is an indictment issued?
after the prosecuting attorney's formal written accusation has been presented to and accepted by a grand jury
Greg Abbott's ad on transportation is an example of what stage of the policymaking process?
agenda setting
If Governor Abbott gave a speech highlighting the large numbers of illegal immigrants crossing into Texas and calling for greater security along the border, which stage of the policymaking process would this represent?
agenda setting
Standing committee
also called a permanent committee, a committee created according to the rules of either house that meets throughout a legislative session or during a legislative interim to consider and report on measures referred or tasks assigned to it by the respective presiding officers. 8.15
Ad hoc committee
also known as a special committee, a committee created by the house or senate as occasion demands to study a specific problem or policy area for a specified period of time. 8.16
Political action committee (PAC)
an entity other than a political party that raises and spends money to elect or defeat candidates. Regulated under both federal and state law. 4.9
What is a point of order?
an objection that claims an error in the format, content, or procedural path of a bill
Which judges have to satisfy the most rigorous requirements before they can assume their posts?
appeals court judges
Donald Trump's use of Twitter during the 2016 presidential campaign:
attracted media attention that he didn't have to pay for.
The process of making substantive changes and editorial corrections to a bill is called what?
bill markup
Which types of interest groups are often formed as nonprofits? Choose the BEST answer.
both public and private interest groups
Which of the following is an example of concurrent jurisdiction?
both the local police and the FBI having the authority to deal with a case
What type of groups comprise the bulk of the lobby in Texas?
business groups
According to the Obama administration, how was the state of Texas violating federal law?
by limiting where low-income women could seek health care
Which of the following is a way that interest groups commonly seek to get their members into government?
by making strategic campaign contributions Representatives of organized interests and businesspeople who contribute to political campaigns frequently become appointees to boards overseeing areas of public policy related to their interests.
According to the public policy watchdog group Texans for Public Justice, the Texas Supreme Court is more likely to hear appeals filed by whom?
campaign contributors
According to the text, which two characteristics allow judges to make the kind of unbiased and well-reasoned decisions necessary for a credible justice system?
capability and independence
Which local government entity, generally speaking, has the largest impact on the daily lives of Texans?
cities
What are the four basic units of local government in Texas?
cities, counties, special districts, and councils of government
The Texas Supreme Court has final jurisdiction over which of the following types of cases appealed through the state courts?
civil cases
a majority of Texans are more in line with which influence on the issue of transgender rights?
classical liberalism The majority of Texans favor a law that protects an individual from discrimination based on his or her individual choices. This view privileges individual rights in a way most consistent with classical liberalism.
The political culture of Texas expresses the influence of three main currents of political ideology:
classical liberalism, social conservatism, and populism.
What must an independent candidate do to be listed on the general election ballot?
collect signatures on a nominating petition that add up to a certain % of the total number of votes cast in the previous general election
What legal system does the United States rely on?
common law
Which of the following was included among the educational public policies specified in the Radical Republican Constitution of 1869?
compulsory school attendance Compulsory school attendance was one of a range of educational policies included in the Radical Republican Constitution of 1869. The position of the state superintendent of public instruction was also maintained, and a school fund was financed.
According to the report, what are the two notable characteristics of high voter turnout?
contested battleground races and same-day registration
Bailiff
court official who maintains order and looks after prisoners. 11.6
You may not vote if you have been:
declared mentally incompetent or are a convicted felon whose sentence, probation, or parole has not been completed.
The Texas Constitution has two purposes:
defining the pact between the state government and its citizens establishing the basis for Texas's legal system
According to Erica Grieder, Democrats in Texas -
embrace the "low tax, low service" model more than do national Democrats.
What was the goal of legislation that the lawmakers tried (but failed) to pass?
ending the use of toll roads
The Texas Ethics Commission
enforces state regulations—which are generally much less stringent than federal regulations—for all state races in Texas.
The practice of punishing repeat offenders more harshly than first-time offenders is known as what?
enhanced punishment
Which emergency item was the least successful in the legislature?
ethics reform
How often does Texas go through the redistricting process?
every ten years
Literacy tests
exams that black voters were required to pass before being allowed to vote, with variations in the difficulty of the tests used to target African Americans. 3.11
In the video, Ben Barnes says that besides instituting an income tax, there is only one other option to raise more revenue. What is it?
expanding sales taxes
What event made delegates rush to adopt the 1836 constitution?
fighting during the Battle of the Alamo When the delegates met at the convention, the fighting at the Alamo caused conventioneers to hurriedly draft a new constitution that borrowed from other constitutions, like the U.S. Constitution and the Tennessee State Constitution.
How frequently, and for how long, does the Texas Legislature meet?
for 140 days every other year
Why did the state of Texas sue the federal Department of Labor in 2015?
for allowing medical leave for same-sex couples
Why did Texas join six other states in suing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services?
for requiring religious organizations to subsidize contraception
What does pro tempore mean?
for the time being
In terms of their powers, counties most closely resemble which of the following?
general law cities
What is public policy?
government action that is taken to address a social problem or issue
What change brought about by the New Deal allowed for the development of cooperative federalism?
greater federal funding
Which of the following policy ideas do Democrats in Texas support the MOST?
greater funding for public education and health care Democrats in Texas have generally supported restoring or increasing funding for education and health care more than they have supported the other top priorities.
the use of social media to raise money for campaigns:
has become a standard part of campaign fundraising.
Since 2015, policies enacted by local governments:
have been subject to attack by elected officials at the state level.
Which state function receives the largest portion of its funding from the federal government?
health and human services
The Economist article uses the oil and gas industry, Ross Perot's business success, and Lyndon Johnson's media business holdings as example of --
how the state's business and political elites are intertwined.
According to the NCSL map, the Texas Legislature belongs to which category?
hybrid
According to the NCSL, what is the most common type of state legislature?
hybrid
What issue did Texans consider the MOST important in February 2017?
immigration
Which two of Governor Abbott's emergency items addressed issues that the poll's respondents considered important?
immigration and ethics reform
According to the article, what is the MOST likely way to increase voter turnout during special constitutional amendment elections?
include issues that interest voters on the ballot According to the article, people will vote if they are interested in the issues on the ballot. For example, in the years when the Texas Lottery and the ban on same-sex marriage were on the ballot, voter turnout was higher than usual for a special constitutional amendment election.
What is a core component of the Democratic Party's strategy for becoming more competitive in Texas elections?
increasing turnout among Latinos According to a 2016 survey of adult Texans, Latino Democrats outnumber Latino Republicans by a factor of more than two to one, and the Latino population of Texas continues to increase. But the Democratic Party's attempts to increase turnout among voters in this demographic have thus far been largely unsuccessful
the current role of the governor in state politics:
is a return to the historical norm for the office of governor.
What means do county commissioners have for raising revenue to support their numerous responsibilities?
issuing bonds and raising property taxes up to a certain limit
In terms of election administration, which of the following would be an advantage of SDR?
it allows for a more current and accurate updating of voter rolls.
minorities are underrepresented in what part of the Texas justice system?
jury pools
Pardon
legal release from the penalty or punishment for a violation of the law. 7.7
Bracket bills
legislation or proposed legislation intended to benefit a relatively narrow class of beneficiaries without directly naming them. 8.11
Overall, compared to general election polls, polls in primary elections are __________________.
less accurate because of unknown candidates and low voter turnout
What do critics of cooperative federalism want?
less federal involvement in state governance
compared to other Lieutenant Governors who have had long tenures in office, David Dewhurst was:
less influential.
Typical interest group tools and techniques include the following:
lobbying influencing political campaigns organizing public demonstrations orchestrating media campaigns attending public meetings taking legal action taking illegal action
Municipal utility districts (MUDs)
local authorities created with delineated authority to provide and pay for the delivery of services to areas not serviced by other local authorities. 12.13
Compared to the United States Constitution, the Texas Constitution is:
longer and more detailed.
What types of crime do NOT require a grand jury indictment?
misdemeanors
Compared to urban centers, suburban and exurban areas tend to be --
more politically conservative
From 2010 to 2018, how much faster did Texas's population grow relative to that of the nation as a whole?
more than twice as fast
What solution to increased congestion was the LEAST favorable in the TTI poll?
more toll roads
Texans are MOST likely to come in contact with which kind of law enforcement agent?
municipal police
Texas' population increased 4,294,000 persons from 2000 to 2010. This was the largest _________ increase in the state's recorded history.
numerical
Which taxes provide the revenue source for the Rainy Day Fund?
oil and gas taxes
What kind of law is made by municipal and county governments?
ordinances
According to the text, what factor is important for a deep understanding of Texans' attitudes about efforts by the state government to resist policy created by the federal government?
partisan differences
In-house lobbyists
permanent employees of an interest group or organization who present the group's concerns and policy proposals to legislators, bureaucrats, and other government officials. 4.6
Open Primaries
permit any registered voter to vote in any party's primary, with the caveat that voters can vote in only one party's primary during a single primary period. Voters in open primary states may be given ballots from both parties, but they may mark only one of them. In open primaries, voters are not required to declare their partisan affiliation.
The court challenges over gaps in public-school funding illustrate which step of the policymaking process?
policy evaluation
What statement describes the impact of political culture on policy-making in the case of transgender rights?
political conflict increases when an issue provokes reactions from people with opposing ideologies Both classical liberalism and social conservatism are ideologies reflected in Texas's political culture. As the issue of transgender rights has evolved, the conflict between people driven by these opposing ideologies has increased.
What has led to the proliferation of special districts in Texas?
population growth
Which political ideology is concerned primarily with the well-being of ordinary people?
populism
Delegated powers
powers explicitly assigned to the national government in the U.S. Constitution. 13.2
Reserved powers
powers granted exclusively to state governments. 13.2
Concurrent powers
powers shared among the national government and the state governments. 13.2
Blanket Primaries
present voters with all the candidates for a given office, which can include more than one candidate for each party. Traditionally, the top two vote-getters in the blanket primary go on to the general election (even if they're of the same party).
All registered lobbyists must divulge the interests they are registered to represent. What does this allow the state to do?
prevent conflicts of interest arising for clients who employ contract lobbyists Because an individual contract lobbyist can represent multiple interest groups, making registered lobbyists divulge the interests they represent allows the state to prevent conflicts of interest arising for clients who employ contract lobbyists
Unfunded mandates
programs or regulations that the federal government requires the state governments to administer without providing any federal funds to offset the cost. 13.5
Nationalists
proponents of a version of federalism who see states not as independent actors, but as agents for implementing federal policy. 13.9
the use of social media applications in campaigns:
provides more means of communicating with interested parties.
the feedback loop between elected officials and public opinion includes each of the following EXCEPT: political leaders often attempt to frame issues to elicit certain responses from the public. political leaders attempt to respond to voters' attitudes. public attitudes form based on extensive information about issues. the public responds to political leader's actions.
public attitudes form based on extensive information about issues.
lin has gathered 1,000 signatures on a petition aiming to convince the city council to repeal a municipal ordinance that bans skateboarding downtown. Which of the following is this an example of?
referendum
Which tool allows citizens to vote on a law in a popular election?
referendum A referendum allows citizens to vote on a law in a popular election. Texas does not have a referendum provision.
options when it comes to getting involved with parties and using them to participate in politics:
register and vote run for party nomination to public office run for party office organize a precinct serve as an election judge talk politics
The Federal Election Commission (FEC)
regulates campaign financing in federal elections, which include contests for the presidency and for seats in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
The establishment of a new city or county is an example of which type of power?
reserved
What are the two biggest sources of state revenue?
sales taxes and federal income
what are the two notable characteristics of states with high voter turnout?
same-day registration and voting from home
What is the lieutenant governor's responsibility when the governor is out of state?
serving as acting governor
Realignments
significant and enduring shifts in the party loyalties of the electorate that are often associated with a critical election, in which new issues arise and public policy changes decisively. 3.7
General law cities
smaller cities that operate according to specific Texas statutes that enumerate their powers and duties. 12.3
What defines the powers of general law cities?
state laws
If you wished to become involved in party politics by running for a party nomination, which of the following elective offices would be the BEST place to start?
state representative from a smaller district It is typically easiest to win a nomination when running for a state-level office (such as senator or representative) from a smaller district.
Since voters might be exposed to the bandwagon effect, what do some argue that news stations ought to do?
stick to reporting what is actually happening on Election Day rather than making projections
local control is rooted in two values. These values are:
suspicion of government and self-reliance
Ad valorem taxes
taxes levied in proportion to the assessed value of privately held property such as real estate or motor vehicles. 5.9
There are four major factors driving rising costs today:
technological change candidates' expanding use of media increased competition between the two major parties television advertising (even in state legislative and local races)
The Texas Public Utilities Commission has jurisdiction over which public utilities?
telephone and electric power companies
Which of the following played a key role in prompting legislative action to address the state's water needs?
the State Water Plan's proposals for funding the state's water needs
the Texas Constitution differs from the U.S. Constitution in that:
the Texas Constitution seeks to limit government more than the U.S. Constitution.
Appellate jurisdiction
the authority of a court, board, or commission to review and either uphold or overturn decisions previously made by lower courts. 10.4
Parole
the conditional release of prisoners before they have completed their sentence. 11.9
Who oversees the governance of special districts?
the county commissioners court
Which of the following scenarios would MOST likely lead to the creation of a special district?
the development of a new subdivision in a remote area with no utility services provided by the county or nearby cities
Federalism
the division of power between the national government and state governments. 5.3
Texas viewed all of these issues were among the most important problem facing Texas except: political corruption the economy immigration healthcare
the economy
County judge
the elected official who is the presiding officer of a county commissioners court. 12.10
Which of the following is the largest single contributor to TxDOT's annual revenue?
the federal government
The governor's emergency items are officially submitted to which of the following?
the house and senate
Rainy Day Fund
the informal term for the Economic Stabilization Fund, a state savings fund that is used to set aside excess revenue for emergency or unexpected budget needs. 14.14
Sunset review process
the official procedures of the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission in evaluating the performance of government entities to determine whether they continue to serve the purposes for which they were created. 14.2
Areas identified as "exurban" are:
the outer rings of urban core areas.
The histories of Texas's major political parties and social groups both shape and are shaped by
the state's political culture
What role do religious agents play in the process of political socialization?
they tend to reproduce society's core values Religious agents are embedded in the values infrastructure of a society and tend to reproduce the core values of that society.
According to Jolie McCullough, what is the purpose behind having a death-qualified jury?
to have an open-minded jury with all members willing to consider the death penalty
What is one reason the governor may use the threat of a special session?
to incentivize the legislature to focus on policy areas of concern to the governor
Why does Texas have a part-time, low-paid legislature?
to maintain the tradition of the citizen legislature
What is the mission of the Texas Association of Business (TAB)?
to support Texas's businesses and economy The Texas Association of Business works in a bi-partisan manner to protect and enhance the Texas business climate and make the state's economy strong.
Which of the following lobbying activities is illegal? receiving campaign contributions after a vote has already occurred holding a meeting on a policy issue with private interests that have recently made a campaign contribution trading a vote on public policy for money or other benefits lobbying on a particular issue while simultaneously inquiring how a client might be of help to a policymaker
trading a vote on public policy for money or other benefits is a felony in Texas
Rapid population growth in Texas has created difficulties in which of the following policy areas?
transportation and water
What is involved in a filibuster?
trying to kill a bill by "talking it to death"
How many articles of the Texas Constitution are exclusively dedicated to the topic of local government?
two
How long are the terms of members of the Texas House of Representatives?
two years
Municipal judges serve terms of what length?
two years
"Pappy" O'Daniel, the governor of Texas from 1941 to 1949, helped make what practice common?
using radio addresses to help voters feel as though they knew him
How much power do party organizations generally have over candidates?
very little power, as they do not exercise centralized control over nominations or campaign funding
In which of the following circumstances, according to Eva DeLuna Castro, would it make sense to use money from the Rainy Day Fund?
when important programs and services are at stake
According to the text, Republican attitudes toward state government are dependent on what factor besides their general views on the balance of power in the federal system?
whether or not their party is in power
Survey results show that people participating in a poll who have little or no information about a subject:
will nonetheless often express an opinion.
According to the New York Times, what is one of the most valuable tools of campaigns and political action committees?
30-second TV commercials are still one of the most valuable tools of campaigns and political action committees despite increasing competition from digital alternatives.
Where did Texas rank among the states in terms of voter turnout for the 2018 midterm elections?
41st with a rate of 46.3%
What percentage of Medicaid recipients participating in the Women's Health Program were receiving care from Planned Parenthood?
45%
How many lawsuits did the state of Texas file against the federal government between 2009 and 2016?
48
Where did Texas rank among the states in terms of voter turnout for the 2016 election? (See page 10.)
49th
About what percentage of municipal revenue is made up of property taxes and sales taxes?
60%
What % of Texans would support laws tat protect transgender people from discrimination in jobs, public accommodations, and housing?
70 percent of Texans would support laws to protect transgender people from discrimination in jobs, public accommodations, and housing.
According to the chart describing attitudes toward the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in"Major Issues, Poison Pills," what percentage of those who identify with the Tea Party were STRONGLY OPPOSED to the ACA?
93%
Why does Texas have a sizable bureaucracy (in numerical terms) despite its commitment to small government?
A certain amount of bureaucracy is necessary to establish the basic delivery of goods and services that government provides.
How does a concurrent resolution differ from a law?
A concurrent resolution is a formal statement of opinion but does not carry the force of law.
According to the poll results, what do the majority of Americans think regarding campaign contributions and judges' decisions?
A majority of Americans believe campaign contributions have some or a great deal of influence on judges' decisions.
According to the poll results, what do most Americans think about judges hearing a case from someone who has contributed $10,000 or more to their campaign?
A majority of Americans believe that judges should recuse themselves from cases if individuals or corporations involved have contributed $10,000 or more to their campaign.
What position(s) did the three groups take on SB 722?
All three were in favor of the legislation.
What has been the result of the amendment process established by the Texas Constitution?
Almost 700 amendments have been proposed, and over 500 of these have been ratified.
Which of the following is true of an open primary?
An open primary does not require voters to declare the party with which they are affiliated, while a closed primary does
What ethnic group experienced the slowest population growth rate in Texas from 2010 to 2018?
Anglos. The Anglo population grew by only 3.8 percent from 2010 to 2018, making this group the slowest-growing population in the state.
Executive Branch
Article IV carefully outlines six offices of the executive branch, all but one of which is to be filled through popular elections (the secretary of state is appointed by the governor rather than elected). The very first section lists these six executive offices: The executive department of the State shall consist of a governor, who shall be the chief executive officer of the State, a lieutenant-governor, secretary of State, comptroller of public accounts, commissioner of the general land office and attorney general. Most portions of this article focus on the governor's powers and duties. Many of the remaining sections cover the other executive offices. By making most of these senior executive authorities separately elected, the framers divided and dispersed this branch's authority into independent offices. Thus, they created multiple checks to activities, programs, or plans of each of the executive department officials.
The framers of the Texas Constitution of 1876 considered the formation of counties to be particularly important. What restriction did they place on the legislature's ability to create new counties?
Article IX of the constitution required that new counties created outside of already-existing counties had to be no smaller than 900 square miles and shaped in a square form (unless the new county was to be located along the border).
Which of the following was NOT described a lecture video as an important consequence of the 2018 elections in Texas? Republican incumbents won all of their races for offices in the executive branch. Democrats increased their representation in both houses of the Texas legislature. Democrats increased their presence in Texas's congressional delegation.
Beto O'Rourke's statewide campaign enabled him to run for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020.
Campaign professionals usually produce different types of TV spots for different purposes:
Biography or "bio" ads introduce a candidate to voters and are typically used early in a campaign. Contrast ads draw distinctions in policy or ideology by providing information about both candidates—with an eye, of course, toward supporting the candidate producing the ad. Attack ads focus on negative information about an opponent.
What is unique about the political structure of commission governments?
Both the executive and legislative functions are vested in the city commission.
What conclusion can be made about the results of the referendum on HERO?
By rejecting a bill that would allow transgender people to use the restroom that matches their gender identity, the majority of voters supported a result that was consistent with social conservatism.
CHAPTER 3: POLITICAL PARTIES
CENTRAL IDEAS: Parties perform multiple functions in our democracy and offer numerous ways for average citizens to get involved in politics. The relative positions of the parties along with their differing constituencies make up the party system, which changes over time in major shifts known as realignments. The history of political parties in Texas is marked by nearly a century of Democratic Party dominance followed by a realignment that shifted the balance of power in favor of the Republicans. Both parties in Texas today reflect more conservative versions of their national counterparts.
What does the reporter mean when he says that Texas Child Protective Services has "effectively an impossible job"?
CPS workers must walk a fine line between balancing the rights of parents and the responsibility to protect children.
CHAPTER 5: THE TEXAS CONSITUTION
Central Ideas: A constitution is a binding contract between a government and its citizens that reflects the influence of the time and place in which it was written. State constitutions tend to differ from the U.S. Constitution in that they are longer, more frequently amended, and more likely to distribute power among numerous elected officials and the people. Texas's multi-constitutional history is one of crisis, response, influence from political elites, and accumulation of principles. The contemporary Texas Constitution is extremely long, detailed, and disorganized, but a close analysis of its structure can help to clarify the framers' intentions. Modern attempts at revising the constitution have been hampered not only by an inability to reach consensus given the interests at stake, but also by the difficulty of presenting complex issues to an uninformed electorate.
CHAPTER 6: THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH
Central Ideas: High-ranking executive branch officials like the attorney general and comptroller are elected by the voters rather than appointed by the governor. Lower-level officials like the secretary of state and members of various boards and commissions are appointed by the governor. The bureaucracy in Texas is large in absolute terms but small relative to the size of the state's population.
CHAPTER 13: FEDERALISM
Central Ideas: Texas state government functions within the U.S. federal system, in which governmental authority is both shared by, and disputed among, the national government and state governments. Texas depends on the federal government for funding but frequently clashes with federal authorities over policy and authority. Texans' views on the balance of power between the national and state governments tend to vary according to their partisan loyalty.
CHAPTER 4: INTEREST GROUPS
Central Ideas: The design of Texas government results in interest groups playing a very significant role in the political process compared to other states. Interest groups can be broadly categorized as public interest groups or private interest groups, with the latter often derogatorily referred to as "special interests." Interest groups perform many functions, including organizing people with similar interests, informing the public and elected officials, organizing electoral competition, organizing sub-governments, and linking the state and national political systems. Interest groups have many tools at their disposal for influencing the political process.
CHAPTER 11: THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
Central Ideas: The history of Texas reveals a criminal justice system marked by racial inequality. Criminal justice is administered through three distinct institutions: law enforcement, courts, and corrections. Executions in Texas remain high compared to other states, but support for the death penalty has declined due to its inconsistent application. Criminal justice reforms have been made at all levels of government, but implementation hasn't always been successful.
CHAPTER 8: THE LEGISLATURE
Central Ideas: The legislature is the least weak of the three branches of Texas government, but its organization still reflects Texans' embrace of limited government. Despite its few formal qualifications for service, the Texas Legislature tends to draw white male lawyers and business owners at a higher rate than their proportion in the general population. In addition to its primary responsibility of making laws, the legislature also passes resolutions, handles various administrative duties, and subpoenas information from witnesses. The speaker of the house has considerable discretion over the flow of legislation in the Texas House, while the lieutenant governor wields even greater power in the Texas Senate due to the chamber's organization. Committees are a central component of the legislative process because their members can determine the fate of a given bill.
CHAPTER 14: PUBLIC POLICY
Central Ideas: The policymaking process in Texas begins with the emergence of issues and proceeds through five subsequent stages of agenda setting, policy selection, policy enactment, policy implementation, and policy evaluation. One of only seven states with no income tax, Texas relies on a limited revenue base consisting mainly of sales taxes and federal funds to cover its budget. Most of Texas's budget goes to education and health and human services, two policy areas that generate significant debate. Population growth has contributed to policy challenges in supporting facets of the state's infrastructure like transportation and water.
CHAPTER 7: THE GOVERNOR
Central Ideas: There are few official requirements for serving as Texas governor, and the perks of office are modest. The governor has a limited set of formal powers to influence the political process. Important informal powers used within institutional channels include the power to persuade and the message power. Successful governors use their informal status as a figurehead of state government to influence the political process.
How does classical liberalism differ from the position taken by Governor Abbott?
Classical liberalism could be interpreted as supporting the right of leaders to choose a gender identity. The values of individual rights and choice are fundamental to classical liberalism. This issue dealt directly with individual choice and freedom.
In what way(s) is the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance consistent with values of classical liberalism?
Classical liberalism supports individual freedom of choice. Individual freedom is a primary value of classical liberalism. Allowing individuals to choose their gender identity—and, in turn, the restroom facilities they wish to use—is an expression of individual freedom.
Which of the following describes the relationship between Texas and the federal government during the Obama administration?
Conflict and tension between Texas and the federal government greatly increased during the Obama administration.
Issue 5 identifies a problem with collecting and evaluating data from Child Protective Services. Which of the following is a key recommendation to address this problem?
DFPS should improve its data collection and evaluation in several ways, including expanding the investigation process associated with child deaths.
According to the Staff Report with Final Results excerpt above, what did the passage of the bill effectively accomplish regarding whether to continue the Department of Family and Protective Services as a state agency?
DFPS will be continued as an independent agency until 2023.
Which of the following BEST describes the key element of the budget proposal put forward by the Texas Senate?
Delaying a diversion of $2.5 billion allocated to highway maintenance by one month would allow the state to cover its budget shortfall without dipping into the Rainy Day Fund.
According to the UT/Texas Tribune polls discussed in the video, between 2009 and 2012, members of what party most obviously changed their attitudes towards voter identification policy?
Democrats
Who benefited the most from Jim Crow laws in Texas?
Democrats Jim Crow laws, which included things like whites-only primaries, literacy tests, grandfather clauses, and poll taxes, primarily benefited Texas Democrats by making it harder for African Americans—who generally supported the Republican Party at the time—to vote.
Ideology provides individuals with all of the following EXCEPT: A binding material for different ideas about politics A way of thinking about the world in a coherent way Detailed answers to policy decisions Ideas we often consider "common sense"
Detailed answers to policy decisions
Other Articles
Essential features of any constitution—disposition of property under previous legal systems (Spanish and Mexican land titles) and impeachment of public officers Detailed organizational and policy specifications—articles on education, taxation and revenue, counties, municipal corporations, railroads, private corporations, and public lands and the land office General provisions—a laundry list of items all contained in Article XVI (General Provisions) dealing with the legislature, personal debts, fences, competitive bidding on state contracts, and more
Following the 2016 court ruling, the Texas legislature has...
Failed to change the system of financing public education
Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding voting during the civil rights era?
For the first time, many Southern Democrats voted for non-Democratic Party candidates in the 1968 presidential election. Many of these voters who switched parties never voted for a Democratic presidential candidate again.
What is one reason that the position of lieutenant governor lost some power in the early 2000s?
Governor Rick Perry's long tenure gave him unprecedented control over the executive branch.
What opportunity do governors in Texas have to influence the state judiciary?
Governors can fill judicial vacancies and appoint judges to state appeals courts.
Unlawful Employment Practices - HB 187
HB 187 is the state's version of the federal Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. The bill would have undone the statute of limitations for filing a wage claim against an employer, creating an indefinite liability for an employer. The legislation would have added a new venue for an employee to bring suit against an employer and added new causes of action, resulting in both compensatory and punitive damages. A "No" vote supports the NFIB position. The bill was voted out of committee in the House, but was voted down on the House floor. The bill was not passed into law.
In the video on 2040 projections, Murdock discusses the estimated composition of Texas' population by demographic group. Match the demographic group by projected share of the population, from largest to smallest: Hispanic Anglo African-American Other(primarily Asian)
Hispanic: #1 - 53-60% Anglo: #2 - 25-33% African-American: #3 - 8-10% Other(primarily Asian): #4 - 6-9%
Which of the following BEST summarizes Justice Simmons's argument on why it would be virtually impossible, under current Texas law, for judges to recuse themselves from cases in which one or more parties have contributed to their election campaigns?
If judges recused themselves from every case in which one or more parties had donated to their campaigns, they would recuse themselves from more cases than they would hear.
What has been the most recent attempt to overhaul the present system for filing judicial posts?
In 2003, legislation calling for appointment of judges at the high court level was introduced, but it ultimately stalled.
Why might public officials listen to interest groups?
Interest groups develop expertise on the policies they seek to influence and provide that expertise to public officials, thus reducing information costs borne by legislators and their staffs in making policy..
Which of the following is a common way for interest groups to interact with other actors in the legislative process?
Interest groups provide information and support to legislators and their staff.
According to the video, all of the following are powers held by the Texas Governor EXCEPT: Vetoing bills Appointing members of boards and commissions Calling special sessions
Introducing bills
According to the video, all of the following are examples of how lobbyists participate in the legislative process EXCEPT: Building coalitions Providing procedural advice Drafting bill language
Introducing legislation on the floor
What was the effect of extending the length of the lieutenant governor's term of office from two to four years?
It allowed lieutenant governors to gain more informal influence and legislative expertise
Why is annexation an important power exercised by Texas cities?
It allows a city to expand its tax base to generate more revenue.
In terms of election administration, which of the following would be an advantage of same-day registration, or EDR?
It allows for a more current and accurate updating of voter rolls.
How did the Texas Senate compromise?
It approved withdrawing funds from the Rainy Day Fund.
What is one of the main characteristics of a perfect bureaucracy?
It assigns responsibilities based on technical competence.
What is one major critique of the practice of plea bargaining?
It causes the justice system to fall short of guaranteeing all citizens the right to a fair and impartial trial.
Which of the following offers the BEST description of Article XVI of the Texas Constitution?
It contains a variety of specific policy items, many of which could have been better placed in other parts of the constitution.
According to Andrew Cohen, how does the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct affect judicial campaigns?
It doesn't have much of an effect on political activity during judicial campaigns.
What happened to the document created during the constitutional convention of 1974?
It failed to receive enough legislative votes to go to the electorate for ratification. Despite lasting 150 days, the constitutional convention failed by three votes to support submitting a document to voters for ratification.
What is likely to happen to a bill that is found to be in violation of the rules?
It goes to a committee to fix its mistakes and is then sent to the floor, where there may not be enough time to address it.
Why did many ordinary white citizens dislike the constitution of 1869?
It had been created under pressure from Washington and the Radical Republicans. They also disliked that it centralized political power, strengthened public institutions, and promoted an activist social agenda.
What is an important characteristic of a confederal system?
It has a weak central authority.
How does the "the lobby" in Texas compare to that of many other states?
It has relatively strong political power.
How did microtargeting help the 2000 Bush campaign?
It helped the campaign identify the best candidates to receive mail and phone calls making the case for Bush. microtargeting helped Republicans sort through the enormous pool of potential voters to identify those who would definitely vote for Bush and those who would definitely not, and then sort through the remainder to identify the best candidates to receive mail and phone calls making the case for Bush.
Which of the following definitions best describes the plural executive in Texas?
It is a political arrangement where power is distributed among many statewide officials.
Which statement about jury selection is MOST accurate?
It is illegal to dismiss a potential juror based on his or her race.
What happens when a governor vetoes a bill?
It is returned to the legislature, where the veto can be overridden by a two-thirds vote of each chamber.
How is populism different from other ideological influences in Texas political culture?
It lacks specific political and philosophical content.
Why has Governor Walker suggested getting rid of same-day registration in Wisconsin?
It makes poll workers' jobs more difficult
Why has Governor Walker suggested getting rid of SDR in Wisconsin?
It makes poll workers' jobs more difficult.
What is the primary argument against the use of EDR?
It may increase voter fraud because it is difficult to guarantee voter eligibility.
According to the 2012 comptroller's report, what is the problem with overreliance on bonds to fund city and county government?
It passes the buck to future generations.
What is the purpose of staggering terms of office for senators?
It prevents the disruption that a political or economic upheaval might cause the chamber.
What does the "power to persuade" mean when used in reference to the Texas governor?
It refers to the governor's use of personal influence to manage relationships with the legislature and the bureaucracy during the session.
What is an effect of the part-time status of the Texas Legislature?
It requires members to have other jobs and occupations.
How does the Texas Democratic platform respond to calls for a border wall?
It strongly denounces any border wall of any size.
How does the Texas Democratic platform respond to the issue of transgender facility usage?
It supports the use of the facility that aligns with a person's gender identity. the platform affirms "the right of all people to use facilities and participate in all aspects of life in a manner that is consistent with their gender identity or expression, irrespective of the gender they were assigned at birth."
Texas's size and history, as well as its political and cultural variety, have contributed to the development of what might be called a "pragmatic center." Which of the following statements is true regarding the pragmatic center in Texas?
It tends to reflect relatively conservative, pro-business policy preferences and has been shaped by the state's size and history.
Historically speaking, why did the Texas Constitution of 1876 limit the powers of the governor?
It was a reaction to the previous constitution, which had given the governor strong executive powers.
Why does the Handbook of Texas Online say that the constitution of 1845 is the most respected of Texas's constitutions?
It was simple and direct.
While there are benefits to longer term lengths for judges, which of the following represents a possible problem with longer term lengths?
Judges can rule based on personal bias since they are less frequently held accountable.
What do believers in the Hamiltonian approach to government argue?
Judges cannot be independent if they're worried about reelection.
Which statement BEST summarizes the findings of the studies cited in this opinion article?
Judges who are elected are no more biased than judges who are appointed.
Why does Texas's practice of choosing judges in partisan elections lead to questions about the independence and capability of many state judges?
Judicial candidates often make biased claims to win or keep a seat on the bench, creating the potential for serious conflicts of interest.
CHAPTER 12: LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Key Concepts: The foundation for local government in Texas is rooted in a series of poorly written provisions scattered throughout the constitution. Municipal governments fall into two categories, general law cities and home rule cities, with larger municipalities having home rule charters that spell out specific structures and powers. County governments provide similar services to residents as cities do, but face more constraints on their powers and means of raising revenue. Special districts are created to meet certain purposes, and they have proliferated in recent years as alternatives to contracting with other local governments.
Why are cities passing local ordinances instead of lobbying for the state legislature to enact the policies as statewide laws?
Large Democratic-majority cities know that their policies wouldn't stand a chance in the Republican-led Texas Legislature.
CHAPTER 9: THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
Legislators are the most important participants in the legislative process, but a number of other actors play integral roles as well. The Texas Legislature is designed to function in a way that ensures an orderly flow of legislation, yet it also contains complex rules and procedures that make it difficult for bills to become laws. Understanding the various factors that determine a bill's success or failure is critical to understanding what the legislature does and how it works.
What is the practice informally referred to as "voting the district"?
Legislators, knowing what issues matter to their constituents, cast votes in line with those preferences.
Why might a group prefer a public demonstration to letter writing or petitions?
Letters and petitions are comparatively discreet, while demonstrations may call broader public attention to an issue—especially if they are magnified through media coverage..
Whereas the federal constitution divides power into executive, judicial, and legislative branches, states often divide powers among multiple authorities. What is one result of this?
Many lower-level officials have shared or overlapping responsibilities.
Major and minor parties are treated differently under Texas law. What is the difference between a major party and a minor party?
Minor parties are those parties that received less than 20 percent of the vote in the previous general election.
Why did the majority of Americans judge John F. Kennedy the winner of the first televised presidential debate in 1960?
Most Americans watched the debate on television, and Kennedy looked fresher and more vibrant than Nixon.
How is the State Board of Education selected?
Most of its members are elected by voters, but some positions are appointed by the governor.
How are these groups different, if at all?
NFIB stands for the interests of small businesses, while the other two stand for all businesses.
The Texas Bill of Rights has a declaratory tone that differs from that of the U.S. Constitution. In reaction to perceived government overreach by the Radical Republicans, the framers of the Texas document justified its specific protections with sweeping generalizations aimed at what they saw as the major political dangers of the time:
National government—"The maintenance of our free institutions and the perpetuity of the Union depend upon the preservation of the right of local self-government unimpaired to all the States" (Article I, section 1). This suggests a threat of secession. State government—"[The people of Texas] have at all times the inalienable right to alter, reform or abolish their government in such manner as they may think expedient" (Article I, section 2). This reads like justification for the convention delegate's actions in drafting the new constitution. Government favoritism—"All free men, when they form a social compact, have equal rights and no man, or set of men, is entitled to exclusive separate public emoluments, or privileges, but in consideration of public services" (Article I, section 3). This seems like an explicit criticism of the perceived corruption of Governor E.J. Davis's administration (1870-1874).
Which of the following is true of the appeals process?
No new facts or evidence may be introduced during an appeal.
Do all Texas judges have to be licensed to practice law?
No, constitutional county court judges and justices of the peace do not have to be licensed to practice law.
How do political parties link state governments to national governments?
Parties often serve as career networks that allow candidates and political professionals to progress from state-level to national-level politics.
public opinion polling illustrates that:
Partisanship has a strong influence on individuals' views of different levels of government.
All of the following are mentioned in lecture as stakeholders in the committee process EXCEPT: Legislative staff. Legislators. The bureaucracy.
Public opinion.
Two major problems in Texas public education policy are...
Quality and Equity
What conclusions can be drawn from the two charts above?
Republicans are more likely to approve of the state government but disapprove of the federal government.
According to the video, In the mid-1960s, the balance of power between the two major parties in Texas begins to shift because:
Republicans begin to win a few elected offices.
Why was voter participation higher in the Democratic primaries than in the general elections during the 1950s?
Republicans didn't stand a chance in the general elections. Because Republican candidates couldn't realistically challenge any Democratic candidate in a general election in Texas, Democratic primaries usually decided who would end up winning office. As a result, most Texas voters in the 1950s focused their attentions on the Democratic primary rather than the general election.
Which statement BEST describes how Republicans and Democrats tend to differ on the issue of immigration?
Republicans generally oppose any forms of amnesty, while Democrats support a reformed path for citizenship.
Since 1999, how much of the state's judicial bench has been Republican?
Republicans have held all nine of the seats on both the court of criminal appeals and the state supreme court.
Which statement BEST describes the difference between the Texas Democratic and Texas Republican positions on the issue of LGBT rights?
Republicans oppose same-sex marriage, while Democrats support the Equality Act. Texas Republicans "oppose homosexual marriage, regardless of state of origin." The Democratic Party platform, on the other hand, urges Congress to pass the Equality Act, which would include legal protections for LGBT people.
Which statement BEST describes the difference between the Texas Democratic and Texas Republican positions on the issue of the minimum wage?
Republicans support repealing the minimum wage, while Democrats support raising it to $15 or more.
Which of the following is an accurate comparison between state constitutions and national constitutions?
State constitutions are amended more frequently than national constitutions. The average state constitution has been amended about 100 times, compared with only 27 times for the U.S. Constitution.
Republican legislators and statewide officials increasingly prefer:
State government to be the center of government policy making and action when it's necessary.
Which of the following statements BEST describes the attitude of state officials toward federal funding?
State officials want the money but dislike the conditions that come with it.
The term "red state" refers to a:
State where the Republican Party dominates politics.
What is the basic argument of the "states' rights" doctrine?
States have the autonomy to pass, enforce, and interpret their own laws.
How did voter turnout in states with same-day voter registration (SDR) compare with voter turnout in states that did not have SDR for the 2016 election?
States with SDR had a turnout 7 percentage points higher than states without SDR.
How did voter turnout in states with same-day registration (SDR) compare with voter turnout in states that did not have SDR for the 2018 elections?
States with SDR had a turnout rate 7 percentage points higher than states without SDR. States with SDR had an average voter turnout rate of 56 percent compared with an average turnout of 49 percent among states without SDR (a difference of 7 percentage points).
which of the following characterizes public opinion of both the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and comprehensive immigration reform?
Texans tend to support at least some of the specific provisions of both policy packages more than they favor the overall packages.
What deal was struck between house and senate leaders about a car sales tax?
Texans will vote on a constitutional amendment that would dedicate a portion of car sales taxes to the highway fund.
According to Figure 3, what can we conclude about ideological identification among Texans?
Texas Democrats have historically fluctuated between moderate and liberal. respondents have varied in their identification, with sizable changes from year to year in the percentages of those who identify as liberal and those who identify as moderate.
Who has largely been against the Affordable Care Act?
Texas Republicans
Which statement BEST describes the difference between the Texas Democratic and Texas Republican positions on the issue of government spending?
Texas Republicans favor zero-based budgeting at all levels of gov., while Texas Democrats accuse Republicans of creating budget problems.
What are "Super-Republicans"?
Texas Republicans who have carried Republican values, such as opposition to high tax rates, to the extreme Texas Republicans can be called "Super-Republicans" because they have often carried Republican values, such as opposition to high tax rates, to the extreme; one example is the widespread opposition to implementing a state income tax during dire economic circumstances in 2011.
The Constitution of 1845
Texas adopted yet another constitution in 1845, when it became the 28th state in the Union. From the start, the state restricted legislative powers—partly because this was a requirement for joining the Union, but also because the framers were influenced by one of the chief concerns of the white working men who voted for them: fear of an activist government. Notable Features: separation of powers into three branches a bicameral legislature a democratic form of government elected executive and legislative positions appointed judicial positions homestead and community property provisions
Why is revenue from state lands so important?
Texas collects no income tax and uses a portion of oil and gas royalties to fund public education.
The United States government required which of the following in order for Texas to qualify for readmission to the Union?
Texas had to reject laws passed under the Confederacy. The state also had to meet many other demands, such as rejecting secession and ratifying the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
On average, how does Texas's voter participation rate compare to the national rate?
Texas has a lower voter participation rate than the national rate now and also historically.
In his Texas Monthly article, Michael Ennis suggests that the main reason Texas's policy model works better in Texas than in other Republican-leaning states is because --
Texas is more urbanized
Why is the commissioner of agriculture a key position in the plural executive?
Texas is the second leading overall agricultural producer in the United States.
What is one possible effect of partisan elections on the abilities and competence of judges in Texas as compared to other states with different systems for selecting judges?
Texas judges may have less experience due to electoral turnover.
Based on what you know about how much Texas legislators are paid, how does their salary compare to those of other states in the same category?
Texas legislators earn significantly less than other state legislators in the same category.
What event caused the creation of the Confederate Constitution of 1861?
Texas seceded from the United States.
Why do some people criticize the state's limitation of local control as hypocritical?
Texas typically opposes the federal government's attempts to lessen state power.
Which of the following statements is true regarding Texas's early years in the Union?
Texas was deeply divided regarding slavery. While many Texans viewed slavery as essential to the state's economy, many others were also Unionists, who as a group both desired continued ties to the United States and in many cases favored abolition.
Why does it seem certain that prominent Latino candidates will soon emerge and find success in statewide elections for governor?
Texas's Latino (mainly Mexican American) population is rapidly growing.
Texas's becoming the 28th state in the Union caused which of the following events?
Texas's becoming the 28th state in the Union caused the adoption of the constitution of 1845, which included many familiar features, such as the separation of powers and a bicameral legislature.
Constitution of Coahuila y Tejas (Estados Unidos Mexicanos) 1827
Texas, then a Spanish province, joined the Mexican state of Coahuila in 1824 to form the new state of Coahuila y Tejas. The Mexican Constitution required each individual state to have its own constitution, which the legislature of Coahuila y Tejas finally published in 1827 Notable Features: A community property system: Married couples could have two types of property: separate property, owned by one spouse and usually acquired before marriage, and community property, owned equally by both spouses and acquired by either or both spouses during their marriage. This arrangement worked well for a frontier society like Texas's, where life was risky and often short. Since either spouse could claim possession of all property acquired while married, an untimely death wouldn't destabilize the family.5 Homestead exemption from bankruptcy: The homestead protection against bankruptcy also helped stabilize the precarious lives of frontier families. Many Anglo settlers who came to Texas were fleeing debts in states such as Tennessee, so the legislature exempted from creditor claims all lands received from the Spanish sovereign (or Texas) and some movable property (such as furniture or jewelry).6 Education: The Constitution of Coahuila y Tejas also instructed the legislature to promote education—noteworthy because it was a specific piece of policy written directly into the state's fundamental governing document. The state never established a statewide school system, but the idea generated intense interest in later Texas constitutional conventions and has persisted into modern times, challenging even contemporary legislatures. Separate executive, legislative, and judicial authority: This was required of all Mexican states. A unicameral state legislature: This consisted of a single chamber with 12 deputies, or diputados, elected by popular vote. Texas was one of the three districts the new state was divided into, and its representatives occupied two seats in the legislature. Establishment of Catholicism as the state religion: With church members and the military constitutionally subject to the rules of those organizations, and in turn the Catholic Church, semi-independent authorities were created within the state. Consistent with the continental legal tradition, the judiciary could try cases but not interpret the law.
The General Provisions article of the constitution of 1845 concentrated on restricting legislative powers. Which of the following provisions was included in this section?
The General Provisions article of the constitution of 1845 included the provision that total accrued state debt could not exceed $100,000 except in cases of war, insurrection, or invasion. The article also required equal and uniform taxation.
How has history shaped Texas's criminal justice system?
The Texas criminal justice system has been historically violent and strict, especially against minority citizens.
How does the power of the Texas lieutenant governor compare to the powers of lieutenant governors in other states?
The Texas lieutenant governor is very strong by comparison.
Under which of the following circumstances can a point of order be raised on an amendment?
The amendment changes the bill's original purpose slightly.
Why are sales taxes an unstable source of revenue for cities?
The amount of revenue brought in from sales taxes goes down when the economy is poor.
What important event occurred in Texas in 1876?
The basis of the current constitution of Texas was first drafted.
After all debate and amendments on the house floor, a bill must be read a third time. At this point, which of the following is true regarding amendments?
The bill may be amended, but any added amendment requires a two-thirds majority approval.
Considering state expenditures by function, what is the proportion of spending on health and human services (HHS) to spending on general government operations?
The budget for HHS is around 15 times that of the budget for general government.
How is the comptroller of public accounts involved in the Texas budget?
The comptroller provides a revenue forecast and ensures that the budget passed by the legislature is within that revenue estimate.
Which of the following was done in order to divide authority and disperse the executive branch's ability to actively govern?
The constitution mandated that most of the executive offices be filled through elections. The constitution made all but one of the executive offices elected positions to divide authority and disperse the executive branch's ability to actively govern (the secretary of state is the only one appointed by the governor).
What does it mean for a court to have appellate jurisdiction?
The court hears cases that were originally tried in other courts.
What was the effect of the Citizens United decision?
The decision let individuals, unions, and corporations donate unlimited amounts anonymously to political action committees. Prior to 2010, individuals, unions, and corporations were forbidden from donating amounts over $5,000 to a political action committee (PAC), but the Citizens United ruling loosened this restriction, allowing donors to contribute unlimited amounts anonymously to a PAC.
What are the governor's military and police powers?
The governor is commander in chief of the Texas National Guard and has limited police powers as selector of the Public Safety Commission.
Which of the following BEST describes the governor's line-item veto powers?
The governor may use the line-item veto within appropriations bills only.
which of the following was a result of a change to the Texas Constitution in the 1970's?
The governor serves a four-year term in office.
Why is the informal side of the message power more important than the formal side?
The governor's formal messages can be ignored, whereas speeches and statements receive extensive media coverage.
What significant change did the convention make in the constitution of 1866?
The governor's term was increased to four years.
How is the speaker of the house selected?
The house votes to elect the speaker from among its members.
The length of terms in office can influence how judges make decisions. If a justice has a relatively short term length of two years, how might this affect the way he or she makes decisions?
The judge will consider public opinion when making legal decisions.
Judicial Branch
The judicial power of this State shall be vested in one Supreme Court, in one Court of Criminal Appeals, in Courts of Appeals, in District Courts, in County Courts, in Commissioners Courts, in Courts of Justices of the Peace, and in such other courts as may be provided by law.
According to the video, why did Duane Buck's case spark controversy over Texas's use of the death penalty?
The jury relied on testimony about race and the likelihood that Buck would be violent in the future.
Campaign Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1973
The law altered practices related to the administration of campaign finance but did not significantly affect the flow of money into state politics. It contained several new requirements for how campaigns were to handle their finances: Every candidate and political committee in Texas must appoint a campaign treasurer before accepting contributions or incurring expenditures. Candidates and campaign committees must file financial reports, which include all contributions and expenditures over $50. Out-of-state committees could make contributions in excess of $500, but only if individual contributors of $100 or more were reported.
What does the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution mean for the states?
The laws of all states must conform to the Constitution, its amendments, and related federal judicial rulings.
Which of the following statements about the 2018 elections in Texas is accurate?
The number of Democratic votes in the U.S. Senate race increased compared to 2014.
What has been an effect of the loss of federal funding for the Women's Health Program in Texas?
The number of low-income women receiving health care services in the state has dropped significantly.
which of the following is a common use of social media by political campaigns?
The redistribution of TV ads and other videos produced by the campaign.
Which statement BEST describes the relationship between the Texas House and the Texas Senate?
The relationship between the house and senate can be contentious and heated.
According to the article by Cary Cheshire, how did the Texas Legislature respond to the governor's emergency items?
The senate acted quickly, but the house was slower in passing legislation.
What are the political implications of recent demographic trends in Texas?
The source of Democratic voters is booming due to rapid growth of minority populations, but low voter turnout and mixed support for Greg Abbott among Latinos has thwarted new Democratic wins.
Based on the power dynamic evident in recent events in Texas, what will happen if a city ordinance conflicts with the state?
The state always wins the conflict, according to Dillon's Rule.
Which of the following accurately characterized Texas over the last few decades?
The state is becoming overwhelmingly urban.
Why did U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius choose not to renew the Women's Health Program?
The state of Texas excluded Planned Parenthood from receiving federal funds.
In what way does Texas's political culture affect state spending on health and human services?
The state's traditional beliefs in self-reliance and suspicion of the federal government lead it to limit spending on social programs that aid the poor.
According to the Economist article, which of the following is an exception to the characterization of Texas as a state that embraces limited government?
The state's use of federal funds for initiatives like rural electrification and the space program.
How does the capitol press corps impact the legislative session?
The stories that press corps reporters write may affect outcomes and alter the legislative process.
What happens if there is a judicial vacancy outside of the normal electoral calendar?
The vacancy is filled by someone appointed by the relevant elected official(s).
The list of acceptable pieces of identification under voter identification laws is controversial because -
The valid pieces of identification are more likely to be held by certain groups.
According to the lecture, business groups derive advantages in politics from all of the following EXCEPT: The status historically granted entrepreneurs and business actors in Texas. T he philosophical embrace of liberty in historical patterns of thinking in Texas. Structural advantages based on the interplay of incentive structures and group size.
Their ability to politically mobilize their employees.
What is the size of each house of the Texas Legislature?
There are 150 members in the house, and 31 members in the senate.
Which of the following is TRUE about members of the executive branch in the U.S. federal system?
They are appointed by the President of the United States.
Given their positions on S.B. 722 and H.B. 187 as described in their scorecards, what might one conclude about the political orientation of these three interest groups?
They are generally conservative, supporting a limited role for government in regulating business practices and providing social welfare. It would be fair to describe these groups as generally conservative in that they support limits on government regulation of business practices (H.B. 187) and provision of social benefits (S.B. 722).
Campaigns matter most in governor's races, especially in Texas, because:
They are governed by state law and the amount of money raised by each candidate can vary considerably
which of the following best characterizes the current relationship between the governor and the lieutenant governor?
They are ideologically similar but political competitors.
How are local governments treated in the Texas Constitution?
They are scattered throughout various provisions and articles.
In what way(s) have data and research taken over specific functions of campaigns?
They are used to help a candidate get to know individuals or groups.
Why do critics think death-qualified juries are unfair?
They aren't representative of the general population's view of the death penalty.
Why is the expansion of power by the national government controversial for advocates of states' rights?
They believe the expansion of federal power violates the autonomy granted to states by the Tenth Amendment.
Which of the following is true of counties?
They cannot pass ordinances without the involvement of the state legislature.
which of the following best describes public attitudes in Texas toward the death penalty between 2010 and 2015?
They have changed very little.
how have Republicans used rhetoric to put comprehensive immigration reform in a negative light among voters?
They have equated comprehensive immigration reform with amnesty for illegal immigrants.
What is meant when it is said that legislative staffers possess "institutional memory"?
They have knowledge about things that have happened in the past that is useful for navigating the process in the present.
Which of the following is generally true of Constitutional special elections?
They have low voter turnout.
According to Daron Shaw in "Types of Campaign Ads," what is the democratic function of contrast ads?
They help clearly define differing policy positions among candidates
Which of the following options BEST describes Governor Abbott's emergency items from the 85th Legislative Session?
They identified general policy areas.
What does Figure 8 suggest about Texans' attitudes toward traffic congestion?
They recognize population growth as causing traffic problems but minimize the impact that transportation spending would have on addressing such problems.
What position did the Conservative Roundtable of Texas take on SB 722?
They supported it because it promoted better workplace practices and individual responsibility. Even though the bill did not pass, the Conservative Roundtable of Texas supported it because it was in line with their pro-business stance on government policies.
What role do public schools play in the process of political socialization?
They teach political history and promote patriotism and civic engagement Public schools teach accepted histories of the state and nation while promoting patriotism and generally accepted forms of political participation.
How did the Democrats maintain their hold on power throughout Texas?
They used patronage systems in which urban bosses directed the voting choices of mostly immigrant blocs. The Democrats maintained their hold on power throughout Texas by using racially motivated appeals to voters, patronage systems in which urban bosses directed the voting choices of mostly immigrant blocs, and outright suppression of black voters.
Why have Texans adopted a "low taxes, low services" approach to government?
This approach has developed out of Texas's balance between classical liberalism, social conservatism, and populism.
Drug Testing for Unemployment Benefits - SB 722
This bill would have allowed employers to report drug testing results of claimants who fail or refuse to take a pre-employment drug test after a job offer has been made. In the 83rd Legislative Session, the Legislature passed a bill that would allow the TWC to drug test in narrow circumstances as dictated by the Department of Labor, but those rules have not been finalized. Many companies have zero-tolerance drug use policies in place as such use puts the employee and others at risk. Someone who cannot pass a drug test is not available for work, as required by law to receive benefits
which of the following is a reason why the Sunset Commission was established?
To limit bureaucratic growth.
which of the following is a reason why Texas has a plural executive?
To limit the authority of state government.
how do campaigns use the information provided by polling?
To make decisions about how to deploy resources.
What is the effect of nonpartisan elections (such as city council elections) where party affiliation is not indicated on the ballot?
Voters have a difficult time choosing between candidates. Nonpartisan elections make it more difficult for voters to choose between candidates because they've typically received little information about each candidate before the election.
What is one factor that causes incumbents to be reelected at such high rates?
Voters tend to select candidates whose names they recognize on the ballot.
Why does support for third-party candidates rarely translate into votes?
Voters who express support for third parties when polled often revert to the major parties on Election Day.
The Pre-Party Era (1836-1845)
When Texas was an independent republic, its political leadership unified largely through opposition to the central government of Mexico. The tensions within the republic, similar to those that had shaped the first party system in the early days of the United States, were superseded by this perceived outside threat.
Which of the following statements is true of public opinion in Texas?
When survey researchers measure an attitude, they are really measuring an individual's predispositions and information. Measuring attitudes with public opinion polls helps us see connections between people's present views and the long-standing political culture.
How did Rick Perry's role change in the conflict between the state of Texas and the federal government?
While Perry resisted federal influence as governor, he enforced federal regulations as secretary of energy.
Which of the following sentences most accurately describes the authorship of legislation?
While only legislators may introduce bills in either of the chambers, lobbyists, interest groups, and other organizations may help with the inspiration and language of legislation.
Have young candidates ever been successful at running for public office in the state of Texas?
Yes, several young candidates with little experience have fared well in Texas elections. Several young candidates—like Ben Barnes, Lance Gooden, and Patrick Rose—had little experience but fared well in Texas elections.
You are eligible to register to vote if:
You are a United States citizen; You are a resident of the county where you submit the application; You are at least 17 years and 10 months old, and you are 18 years of age on Election Day; You are not a convicted felon (you may be eligible to vote if you have completed your sentence, probation, and parole); you have not been declared by a court exercising probate jurisdiction to be either totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote.
Which of the following is a requirement to be able to vote in the state of Texas? You must be a citizen who is at least 18 years of age by Election Day. You must have lived in Texas for at least six months prior to Election Day. You must be a citizen who is at least 21 years of age by Election Day. You must have lived at your current address in Texas for at least three months.
You must be a citizen who is at least 18 years of age by Election Day and you must register to vote at least 30 days prior to the election..
Which of the following is a requirement for registering to vote in Texas? You must be a resident of the county where you wish to vote. You must be 21 years old at the time. You must have passed a literacy test to demonstrate knowledge of English. You must have a Texas driver's license.
You must be a resident of the county where you wish to vote.
Which of the following individuals could serve as governor of Texas? a 40-year-old Latina U.S. citizen who has spent her whole life in Texas a 55-year-old white male U.S. citizen who has lived in Texas for four years a 28-year-old black male U.S. citizen who has lived in Texas for ten years a 60-year-old white female with a green card who has lived in Texas for 25 years
a 40-year-old Latina U.S. citizen who has spent her whole life in Texas
Which of the following Texans would qualify for a position in the Texas Senate? a 21-year-old U.S. citizen who has lived in Texas for five years and his district for one year a 35-year-old green-card holder who has lived in Texas for seven years and her district for six years a 40-year-old U.S. citizen who has lived in Texas for three years and his district for three years a 55-year-old U.S. citizen who has lived in Texas for six years and her district for five years
a 55-year-old U.S. citizen who has lived in Texas for six years and her district for five years
Which of the following individuals would be MOST likely to vote, according to statistical trends on demographic data and voter turnout? a 70-year-old woman with a bachelor's degree a 20-year-old man with an associate's degree a 30-year-old woman with a high school diploma a 50-year-old man with no high school education
a 70-year-old woman with a bachelor's degree According to Census Bureau data, increased voter turnout correlates strongly with increases in age and level of education. Therefore, of the options presented, a 70-year-old woman with a bachelor's degree is most likely to vote.
approved forms of voter identification include the following:
a Texas driver's license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) a Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS a Texas personal identification card issued by DPS a Texas license to carry a handgun issued by DPS a U.S. military identification card containing the person's photograph a U.S. citizenship certificate containing the person's photograph a U.S. passport
Appropriations bill
a bill that authorizes the expenditure of money for a public purpose. In most instances, money cannot be withdrawn from the state treasury except through a specific appropriation. 8.3 | 9.8
Which of the following problems can reduce the governor's ability to leverage his or her status as a figurehead?
a bland personality
Progressive movement
a broadly based political, social, and business reform movement that arose as a response to the effects of industrialization after the Civil War and reached its height in the early 20th century. Texas ___________ had a decidedly populist streak that sought to defend the citizenry from the evils of "bigness"—i.e., railroads and other corporations, the wealthy, and even government. 3.12
The requirements for voting in Texas are simple and few. You must be:
a citizen of the United States, a resident of Texas for at least 30 days, at least 18 years old, registered to vote for at least 30 days before the election.
Interest Group
a collection of individuals organized to influence public policy, usually (though not exclusively) by attempting to influence government actors. But this simple definition barely hints at the tremendous diversity among the interests represented and the groups representing them.
What factors might leave legislators more open to the influence of other legislators, interest groups, and lobbyists?
a combination of an unengaged public and a vast array of subjects faced by legislators
2018 primaries were expected to be hard to predict because of ______________.
a combination of low presidential approval levels and high Democratic enthusiasm.
Joint committee
a committee composed of members from each chamber appointed by their respective presiding officers to study a particular issue or group of issues when the legislature is not in session. Examples include the Legislative Budget Board, the Legislative Council, and the Legislative Reference Library Board. 8.16
Select committee
a committee created by the speaker of the house or the lieutenant governor to study specific issues, problems, or questions. Depending on its membership and its permanency, a __________ committee may take the form of an interim, an ad hoc, or a joint committee. 8.15
Temporary committee
a committee created for a limited time to carry out a specific purpose, such as reconciling differences between the house and senate versions of a bill (conference committees) or studying a specific problem or policy area (ad hoc committees). 8.16
Substantive committee
a committee in the house or senate whose primary duty is to consider legislation itself rather than legislative rules, calendars, or administration. Most ___________ committees are also standing committees. 8.16 | 9.10
Procedural committee
a committee that makes decisions chiefly about the legislative process, calendars, or administration in the house. 8.16
Enduring characteristics of the political climate in Texas after the civil rights movement reflect the mixture of pragmatism with the relative strength of conservatives in both parties, indicating the role that classical liberalism, populism, and conservatism all played in shaping the prevailing notions of politics in the state. These characteristics include:
a comparatively low level of state-funded social services, which are kept minimal by a general hostility toward progressive taxation (particularly any form of income tax); policies that support the private sector's role in economic growth and result in a generally anti-union work environment and limited environmental regulation; culturally conservative social policies in areas such as education, religion, and civil rights.
What was the policy solution ultimately enacted by the legislature and approved by the voters?
a constitutional amendment to take $2B from the Rainy Day Fund and distribute it via SWIFT and the Texas Water Development Board
Balanced budget requirement
a constitutional requirement that the state's spending in each fiscal year not exceed its revenues or income. 6.4
Sheriff
a county-level peace officer elected to serve for four-year terms. Responsible for operating the county jails, investigating crimes, and coordinating with other law enforcement agencies. 11.6
Original jurisdiction
a court's authority to hear and decide cases for the first time. 10.4 | 11.8
Capital felony
a crime that may be punishable by execution. In Texas and other states that provide for execution as a punishment option, capital murder is today the only crime punishable by death. 11.8
a large but cheaply run and bureaucratized prison system evolved in Texas as a result of the tension between --
a desire for law and order and for limited government.
What was Edmund J. Davis's administration known for?
a devotion to public works The administration launched a public education system and constructed extensive roads, railroads, bridges, and government buildings.
Social conservatism
a disposition or political outlook that favors tradition and preservation of the status quo in social customs and public policy. 3.8
Checks and balances
a feature of a political system that gives each branch of government some degree of oversight and control over the actions of other branches. 5.3
What is an unfunded mandate?
a federal requirement that puts the burden of cost on the states
The dynamic in which public opinion shapes the behavior of elected officials, and then public officials respond in ways that subsequently shape public opinion, is an example of:
a feedback loop.
What is the bully pulpit?
a figurative soapbox governors can stand on to loudly build support for their priorities
Council-manager government
a form of municipal government in which an elected city council performs legislative functions and hires a professional administrator to execute and manage the daily functioning of government. 12.7
Mayor-council government
a form of municipal government in which authority is divided among a mayor with executive authority and city council members who exercise powers akin to those of a legislative branch. 12.7
Commission government
a form of municipal government usually found in small cities and towns in which an elected commission exercises both executive and legislative powers. 12.7
Plural executive
a form of state government in which many or most top executive branch officials win office through popular election, creating officeholders with significant independence from the governor. 6.1
Resolution
a formal expression of opinion or decision, other than a proposed law, that may be offered for approval to one or both houses of the legislature by a member of the house or senate. 8.11 | 9.7
If you live in a city with a population of around 3,000, what type of city are you most likely in?
a general law city
Single-member district
a geographic area that elects one officeholder to a body with multiple members such as a legislature. 12.4
What is a public interest group?
a group that promotes policies that produce widely distributed benefits that the general population can enjoy
In Texas, expected Republican turnout in the 2018 primary was particularly hard to gauge ahead of the election because _______________
a high number of congressional retirements resulted in many new, unknown candidates
Calendars Committee
a house committee that is charged with scheduling the time that each bill or resolution will be taken up for consideration by the members of that chamber. 8.16
Conference committee
a joint committee composed of five members from each chamber appointed by their respective presiding officers to resolve the differences between the house and senate versions of a bill. 8.16
Medicaid
a joint federal-state program that provides funding for medical and health-related services for persons with low incomes. 14.7
Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
a joint federal-state program that provides health insurance coverage to needy children in families with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid. 14.7
Adversarial system
a key feature of the Anglo American common law tradition in which the parties on either side of a legal action take the position of opponents before the court, which decides the winner of this legal conflict. 10.8
Common law
a legal system founded not only on laws enacted by legislatures but also on court rulings that in turn are based on custom, culture, habit, and previous judicial decisions. This tradition of law, based upon precedent and embodied in case law, is the foundation of the American legal system. 10.2
What is a bicameral legislature?
a legislature with two chambers
Bill of rights
a list of limits on the powers of government with respect to its treatment of citizens. 5.9
What was the outcome of the constitutional convention of 1868-1869?
a long, detailed, and incomplete constitution published under military orders and ratified by popular vote Only 49 of the 90 delegates present signed the document.
when Texans were given the option of supporting an alternative to the death penalty (i.e. life imprisonment with no possibility for parole) in surveys -
a majority still supported the death penalty.
Bail
a means for a person accused of a crime to win release from custody prior to trial by depositing or pledging some form of capital (money or property) with a court as a promise to return and submit to the court's jurisdiction at a specified time and place. If the accused fails to appear, it is forfeited and paid over to the court. As with release on personal recognizance, a grant of it may rest on a court's judgment of the accused's reputation, potential threat to the community, and flight risk. 11.7
the guiding principle of the public policy landscape in Texas is --
a pervasive resistance to letting government do too much or spend too much.
How are independent school districts formed?
a petition signed by at least 10 percent of the voters in the area
Which type of organization allows individuals to run for office under the organization's name?
a political party Political parties have a nomination process to determine which candidates will run for office under the party's name.
Classical liberalism
a political philosophy that places a high value on individual freedom, based on a belief in natural rights that exist independent of government. Often at the root of opposition to government involvement in social issues, as it emphasizes reliance on private initiatives or the free market to determine the best outcomes. 3.8
A shift in the makeup and power of political parties, often marked by a critical election, is called what?
a political realignment They are often associated with a critical election, in which new issues arise and public policy changes decisively. This might seem to imply that party system transformation happens quickly, but in reality, transformations have deep historical roots and often occur over a series of elections.
Message power
a power of the governor derived from the constitutionally mandated communications the governor must make to the legislature, as well as from the inherent potential of the governor to grab the attention of the public. 7.8
Patronage system
a prevalent practice in the United States until the late 1800s where the party in power gave jobs to supporters and friends to encourage continued support, also known as the spoils system. 6.8
Initiative
a proposal seeking legislation on a particular issue that is originated by the voters or residents of a city. 12.4
Texas Railroad Commission (TRRC)
a publicly elected three-member body that regulates railroads, trucking, mining, and oil and gas production within the state. 6.6
Misdemeanor
a relatively minor criminal offense, like possession of small amounts of marijuana, assault without bodily injury, and theft of goods and services whose value does not exceed $1,500. Texas law specifies three classes (A, B, and C) depending on severity. 11.7
Recidivism
a return to criminal activity by a person who has previously been convicted of and punished for a crime. ___________ rates refer either to the frequency at which criminals re-offend or the percentage of criminals who re-offend; policymakers are concerned with ____________ rates as a measure of the success or failure of efforts to rehabilitate criminal offenders. 11.15
Rights of the accused in criminal prosecutions are specified in sections 10-21, which include the following:
a right to a speedy trial not having to provide evidence against oneself a right to bail the obligation of the state to provide its own evidence to support charges protection against double jeopardy a right to a trial by jury no ex post facto laws no imprisonment for debts requirement of due process of law
Sharpstown stock fraud scandal
a scandal that led to a wave of reform in Texas politics surrounding the reporting and disclosure of campaign funds. 2.19
The history of political parties can be thought of as which of the following?
a series of long, fairly stable periods that are interrupted by brief episodes of dramatic change The arrangement of voters, interest groups, and regions that forms during a period of stability is called a party system.
Felony
a serious crime, like kidnapping and murder, that is usually punishable by imprisonment of over one year or by the death penalty. 11.7
Special session
a session of the legislature called by the governor to address issues of his or her choosing. ___________ sessions are separate from the regular legislative sessions and may last a maximum of 30 days. 8.3
What best describes political culture?
a set of shared value, beliefs, and behaviors that relate to government and politics that are developed over time through the process of political socialization
Political culture
a set of shared values, beliefs, and behaviors relating to government and politics that develop through the process of political socialization. 1.1
What are swing voters?
a small segment of voters who are not committed to either party
Interim committee
a standing committee consisting of a group of legislators (or a commission including some non-legislative members) appointed by the presiding officer of the house or senate when the legislature is not in session to study a particular issue or group of issues for the purpose of making recommendations to the next legislature. 8.16
Texas Ethics Commission
a statewide regulatory authority established in 1991 by constitutional amendment and assigned a range of responsibilities, including providing guidance on Texas ethics laws, collecting financial disclosure statements from government officials, and recommending salaries for the lieutenant governor, speaker of the Texas House, and Texas Legislature. 2.18
The powers and duties of the mayor of Houston include appointing city department heads, approving resolutions and ordinances passed by the city council, and presenting an annual budget for the city. This makes Houston's which type of city government?
a strong mayor-council government
Unitary systems
a system of government consisting of a single layer that oversees the creation and implementation of policy at all levels. 13.2
Confederal systems
a system of government in which the state governments possess more power than the national government. 13.2
Pigeonhole
a tactic designed to stall or kill a legislative proposal by placing it at the bottom of a committee's agenda. 9.7
Poll tax
a tax of a fixed amount per person levied as a condition of voting. By making voting more costly, these taxes served to restrict the size of the electorate, particularly among low-income and minority groups. The passage of the 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1964 banned all of these taxes in federal elections, and a U.S. Supreme Court decision extended the ban to state and local elections two years later. 3.11 | 8.8
Populism
a term broadly used to describe any movement having popular backing and perceived to be acting in the interests of ordinary people. 3.8
Grassroots
a term implying that a group or organization originated from the efforts of significant numbers of ordinary citizens or citizen leaders. 4.9
Yellow Dog Democrat
a term used to describe any staunch Democratic loyalist. 3.12
Pluralism
a theoretical arrangement of society and representative government in which many different groups with competing interests use their varying but not grossly unequal resources to shape election outcomes and public policy. 4.1
General election
a type of election in which all registered voters can make a final choice between parties' nominees for each office on the ballot. The winner—usually chosen by plurality rule—fills the office. 2.2
Closed primary
a type of primary election in which participation in each party's primary is restricted to those voters formally affiliated with that party. 2.2
Open primary
a type of primary election in which voters are not required to declare a party affiliation and are permitted to vote in the party primary of their choice. 2.2
Blanket primary
a type of primary election in which voters are presented with all of the candidates for each office irrespective of party. The candidates from each party with the highest votes then move on to the general election. 2.2
Following a federal court order issued in 2016 in response to litigation seeking to strike down the voter ID law, the Texas secretary of state issued a list of "supporting forms of ID that can be presented if the voter does not possess an acceptable form of photo identification, and cannot obtain one due to a reasonable impediment." These supporting forms of ID include the following:
a valid voter-registration certificate a certified birth certificate (must be an original) a copy of or original current utility bill a copy of or original bank statement a copy of or original government check a copy of or original paycheck a copy of or original government document with your name and an address (original required if it contains a photograph)
Political ideology
a worldview that links together policy preferences over time and across multiple policy domains based on an abstract view of the role of government in society. 3.15
Public policy
action taken by government to address a particular public issue. 14.2
What is the primary role of the Texas secretary of state?
administering elections
public attitudes toward education funding provide an example of how public opinion can reflect --
ambivalence.
The need to pass amendments in response to other amendments is called what?
amendment chaining
A committee established to study specific issues is called what?
an ad hoc committee
State Board of Education (SBOE)
an elected 15-member body charged with overseeing Texas's system of public education at the primary and secondary levels. 6.6
Who is responsible for governing a MUD?
an elected board of directors that reports to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Lieutenant governor
an elected executive official who serves as the president of the senate, where the office's chief power and authority reside. First in line to succeed the governor. 6.2
Commissioner of agriculture
an elected official who implements and enforces the state's agricultural laws. 6.5
Runoff primary
an election held between the top two vote-getters in a primary when none of the candidates received a majority (more than 50 percent) of the original votes cast. 2.2
Referendum
an election held to affirm or repeal a law or other political act by a government entity. 12.4
At-large election
an election in which candidates run for office to represent a geographic area that is not divided into political subdivisions like districts or wards. 12.7
Open election
an election in which no incumbent officeholder is running to retain his or her position. 2.5
Primary election
an election in which the party electorate chooses which candidates will run for office under the party's label. 2.2
Critical election
an election marked by significant shifts in established voting patterns. 3.7
Independent school district (ISD)
an entity responsible for primary and secondary education that operates separately and independently of other government bodies. Most school districts in Texas are set up this way. 12.13
Grand jury
an impartial group of citizens who determine whether probable cause exists in order to indict an individual for a crime. 11.7
Which of the following would be an example of a progressive taxation scheme?
an income tax that collects nothing from individuals making less than $20,000 per year, 5 percent from individuals making $20,000-$30,000 per year, and 7 percent from individuals making $30,000-$40,000 per year.
Federal Election Commission
an independent regulatory agency established in 1975 to regulate campaign finance through enforcement of campaign finance laws and disclosure of contributors and contributions in federal elections. 2.18
Senatorial courtesy
an informal custom of the Texas Senate that senators may reject gubernatorial nominees from their own districts. 7.5
Watchdog group
an interest group or government organization whose job, formally or informally, is to review and publicize the activities of other groups and government entities, raising public alarm when something is amiss. 4.5
Point of order
an objection claiming that a legislative body's rules of order have not been followed for a bill undergoing floor debate, thus rendering the bill ineligible for further consideration. 9.11
Power to persuade
an officeholder's ability to promote his or her political agenda by virtue of the attention automatically paid to the occupant of the office. Akin to the bully pulpit, this power is most frequently associated with the U.S. presidency and, to a lesser extent, state governors. 7.8
the "revolving door" in the Texas legislature is:
an unintended consequence of the creation of a "citizen legislature."
It's important that poll questions ___________.
are clear and simple
when compared to Democratic attitudes toward the death penalty in the US as a whole, Democratic attitudes in Texas:
are more supportive of the death penalty.
What was voter turnout for the 2015 special constitutional amendment election that featured issues like property taxes and highway spending?
around 1.6 million voters Voter turnout in the 2015 special election for constitutional amendments was only about 1.6 million voters, which was low compared to turnout in the gubernatorial election the previous year and the presidential election the following year.
What portion of Texans strongly or somewhat support the death penalty, according to the June 2018 poll?
around 65 percent
How does the Texas Democratic Party characterize abortion?
as a personal health care choiceThe Texas Democratic Party characterizes abortion as a personal health care choice by stating that Democrats "trust Texans to make personal and responsible decisions about whether and when to bear children."
How does the Texas Republican Party characterize abortion?
as an illegitimate health care choice
Why is it difficult for state government to raise new revenue?
because Texans are generally resistant to raising taxes and would rather cut funds to balance the budget
Why is the codification of crimes and punishments considered a concurrent power?
because the authority to do so is shared by both the national and state governments
Why did elected officials in Texas claim that the federal government's actions were unconstitutional?
because the state has the right to define qualified health care providers
Why, in Cheshire's view, did members of the house pass legislation to reform Child Protective Services (CPS)?
because they had no choice
Which racial group is most overrepresented in the Texas inmate population?
black Texans
Which grants allow for the greatest latitude in how states spend the money?
block grants
Ex-officio members
board or commission members who automatically serve because of some other position they occupy. 6.7
House Bill 2 sought to devote a significant portion of the money in the supplemental budget to which of the following programs?
border security
Which interest groups are the most successful and influential in Texas?
business interests Because of the efficiency needed to accommodate the short legislative sessions, interest groups that represent businesses—and can thus marshal greater financial resources—are the most successful in Texas.
How does the Texas Constitution aim to limit the legislature's ability to classify objects for purposes of taxation?
by declaring in Article VIII's first sentence that "taxation shall be equal and uniform"
How should transportation funding be increased, according to respondents?
by dedicating auto sales tax revenue to transportation
What is one way that Texas-based interest groups may attempt to influence national policy?
by filing lawsuits in federal court to challenge or shape national law Texas-based interest groups try to influence policy by filing lawsuits in the federal court system. This often occurs in the areas of voting and civil rights.
How might a political party leverage public debate in its favor?
by framing an issue in a way that is favorable to the party's position Parties may attempt to highlight particular features of an issue in order to influence voters and powerful individuals to approach the issue in a specific (and usually favorable) way.
How might interest groups be involved in campaigns?
by sponsoring or funding public events for a candidate Interest groups might be involved with campaigns by making contributions that can be used to pay for advertising or fund public events for a candidate. They may also directly purchase ads meant to influence voters.
Which of the following do interest groups use to show how two candidates compare in their support for issues that matter to the group?
candidate scorecards Disseminated through mailing lists, "candidate scorecards" show how two candidates compare in their support for issues that matter to the interest group.
Which of the following convictions would warrant the death penalty in Texas?
capital felony
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has discretion to hear criminal appeals and does not have to hear all cases, with what exception?
capital punishment cases
interest groups frequently seek Sunset Commission review of an agency to result in:
changes in agency practices that benefit them.
the court cases Lamar v. Coffield and Ruiz v. Estelle were chiefly concerned with:
conditions in Texas prisons.
Of the temporary committees in both chambers, which one tends to play the largest role in affecting legislation?
conference committees
Which of the following county trial courts has appellate jurisdiction over cases appealed from other courts?
constitutional county courts
Which of the following courts did the constitution establish?
constitutional courts the constitution established constitutional courts, referred to as such because of the source of their authority—the constitution.
advocates for increased state funding for infrastructure argue that this funding is necessary for --
continued economic growth.
Which of the following activities are interest groups prohibited by law from engaging in? coordinating their campaign efforts on behalf of a candidate with that candidate's campaign contributing to political campaigns led by candidates who support the group's position creating a political action committee to raise and spend money in support of a candidate creating and disseminating "candidate scorecards" to compare various candidates' support for issues that matter to the group
coordinating their campaign efforts on behalf of a candidate with that candidate's campaign Interest groups can contribute to political campaigns, but they are prohibited by law from coordinating campaign efforts on behalf of a candidate.
Probation
court ordered supervision for adult offenders that is overseen by a probation agency. 11.9
What is the focus of appellate courts?
court procedures
what was the approach to handling the projected budget shortfall in 2011 preferred by most Texans?
cutting the existing budget.
Interest groups often organize legislative days. What are these days?
days when interest group leaders organize visits by members of their group to the capitol offices of their representatives
Social Conservatism
derives from the philosophy of classical conservatism (rooted in feudal English and European thinking) that views liberalism with suspicion, embraces hierarchical social relations, and often interprets social change as a threat to established practices and beliefs. Today, social conservatives tend to support government involvement in reinforcing traditional social relations. They value established customs, especially Judeo-Christian religious beliefs and practices, and respect conventional authority figures such as business, military, and religious leaders. While socially conservative views are associated primarily with the Republican Party today, they also dominated the Texas Democratic Party through much of its history.
When does most of the political maneuvering around significant legislation generally occur?
during substantive committee deliberations
The Constitution of Coahuila y Tejas instructed the legislature to promote which of the following initiatives that has persisted into modern times?
education
In order to be listed on the Republican or Democratic primary ballot in Texas, what must a candidate do?
either collect signatures on a nominating petition or pay a filing fee
What mode of selection for the judiciary does the constitution specify?
election The constitution specifies that the mode of selection for all judges will be popular election.
Special elections
elections that are not regularly scheduled, but are instead called to fill unexpected vacancies in the U.S. Congress or the state legislature, to allow the public to vote on proposed amendments to the state constitution, or to select city council members. 2.5
By prohibiting a single individual from exercising the powers of more than one branch, the framers accomplished which of the following objectives?
ensuring the separation of powers The framers established the separation of powers so that those who serve in government are accountable to different constituencies. They accomplished this, in part, by prohibiting a single individual from exercising the powers of more than one branch.
Block grants
federal grants given to state governments for general purposes. Offer the state some flexibility in determining how to spend the funds. 13.5
Categorical grants
federal grants given to state governments for specific purposes. Grants that allow the state minimal discretion in determining how to spend the funds. 13.5
If the U.S. Department of Transportation provided a grant to Texas to conduct needed highway maintenance and bridge repairs for safety purposes, which category of state revenue sources would this represent?
federal income
Voting Rights Act
federal legislation passed in 1965 that bans the denial or abridgment of the right to vote and provides for means of enforcing this ban. 12.4
Petitions
formal requests affirmed by multiple signatures put before a government body expressing a position or requesting a specific action. 12.4
Of the four emergency items presented by the governor in January 2017, how many produced successful legislation?
four
The framers' support for government regulation of economic and social relationships and their fear of potential abuses of authority by holders of public office reflect which political leaning?
frontier populism. As a result, the Texas Constitution grants a great deal of power to the government, but these powers are carefully specified.
Which of the following is an example of "earned media coverage"?
gaining media attention by using events or by providing assistance with a story, including identifying sources or supplying photos.
What are the three types of bills that may be introduced?
general, special, and local
During Reconstruction, the ideology of the Republican Party:
guided the drafting of the new state constitution and the selection of the new government's priorities. since former Confederate officers (most of them Democrats) were prohibited from engaging in political activity, the emergent Republican Party assumed near-complete control of state government, led by a new class of officeholders who hadn't participated in the Confederacy—including African Americans.
The process of accusing an official of misconduct while in office is known as what?
impeachment
When did modern campaign finance regulation begin in the United States?
in 1972, with the adoption of the Federal Election Campaign Act
What three types of lobbyists constitute "the lobby"?
in-house, contract, and public advocacy firm lobbyists In-house lobbyists are employed directly by the interest groups themselves, or by businesses and organizations that are large enough to constitute their own interest groups. They lobby exclusively for their employer, and often have titles like vice president of government or director of legislative affairs. Contract lobbyists (sometimes called "hired guns") are independent professionals who are hired to represent the interests of a particular group, usually for a fixed period of time. For example, an interest group that doesn't have the resources to employ its own full-time lobbyist might hire a contract lobbyist to advocate on its behalf. Or a contract lobbyist might be one member of a large lobbying team pieced together by a well-financed interest group to take on a major issue during the session The third type of lobbyist is a sort of hybrid of the first two. This kind of lobbyist works for a law firm or a public advocacy firm. These businesses may employ professionals who specialize in lobbying along with professionals who specialize in issue advocacy communications. They thereby constitute a "one-stop shop" of sorts, allowing businesses or interest groups to outsource all of the functions of an in-house legislative affairs department.
Classical liberalism came to Texas with:
independent-minded citizens of Mexican descent like Lorenzo de Zavala. The first interim vice president of the Republic of Texas, de Zavala and many of his countrymen had struggled mightily against both the Catholic Church and the Spanish Crown in Mexico. They emphasized emerging classical liberal values like a belief in the importance of the liberty of individuals to exercise their freedoms as long as their freedoms do not restrict the liberties of others.
According to the video, declaring emergency items early in a legislative session gives the governor the ability to:
influence the agenda in the legislature.
Which of the following is an example of the primary duties of the Texas Rangers?
investigating murder and sexual assault cases
Sub-governments are often known by what other name?
iron triangles Sub-governments are commonly referred to as "iron triangles" due to their three essential components, relative strength within government, and insulation from public pressures.
Home rule cities
larger cities in which residents have adopted a home rule charter that establishes the city's governmental structure and the powers and duties of the branches of municipal government. 12.3
The two main reasons the polls in the 2016 election were wrong are:
late deciders and over-representation of college-educated voters.
Grandfather clauses
laws that based a current voter's eligibility on that of their grandparents, which of course rendered former slaves and their offspring ineligible in most cases. 3.11
Term limits
laws that restrict elected officials from serving more than a certain number of terms in a given office. 8.4
the limited formal powers granted the Texas governor requires holders of the office who want to be successful to:
learn to use political tactics like coalition building.
What are the three components that make up an iron triangle?
legislators, government bureaucrats, and interest groups An iron triangle is so named because it delineates three primary players constituting it (legislators, bureaucrats, and interest groups) and implies how strong the links between these interested parties can be in resisting outside pressure.
Special districts
local government bodies created to provide specific sets of services not provided by city or county governments. 12.12
polling suggests that Speaker Joe Straus has succeeded thus far in:
maintaining a low public profile.
Which of the following is a duty of the speaker of the house?
maintaining order during debate on the floor
Social conservatism was brought to Texas by:
many of the Southerners who migrated to the state in the time between its independence and the Civil War. A distinctive blend of tradition, Christian social identity, racial hierarchy, and romantic individualism (the belief in the natural goodness of man, who might still be brought down by the evils of civilization), social conservatism was also a dominant force in the other states of the future Confederacy. This brand of conservative political thought continued to influence many Texans—and other Americans—long after the end of the Civil War.
The shortness of the legislative session has led to what practice?
members of the legislature pre-filing bills before the legislative session even begins
What has been the result of the large racial disparity between the defendants and their judges in the criminal court system?
ongoing criticism of the low number of black judges in the judiciary
For the 2011 special election in Texas, voters were asked to approve or reject ten amendments to the Texas Constitution. Approximately how many voters turned out for that year's election?
only around 700,000 Of the 12.8 million people registered to vote in Texas, only around 690,000 voted in the 2011 special election.
Who can formally introduce a bill for consideration in the legislature?
only members of the legislature
Populism
opulism is the use of political appeals that call for improving the well-being of ordinary people by making government work for them. Historically, populist appeals have been used to pursue both progressive (or liberal) and conservative political ends. Progressive arguments for government intervention in society and the economy frequently have a populist tone. This is especially true when such policies are justified as part of an effort to establish a baseline of well-being for all members of society, rich and poor alike. Populism can also inform conservative proposals such as protecting the jobs of American citizens by limiting undocumented immigration. ecause of its ambiguity, the term "populist" often refers to the use of broad public appeals to ground political language that is otherwise hard to articulate as a clear set of policy goals and preferences. Nonetheless, appeals to a notion of "the will of the people" along with suspicion of political or economic elites are a hallmark of Texas political history and a core part of the state's political culture.
Which of the following groups works within a party at the government level to set priorities and develop a legislative strategy?
party caucuses Caucuses are meetings of party members within the legislature to select priorities and coordinate a strategy for developing and passing legislation.
Which of the following connects district- and state-level party organizations to their members?
party precincts Party members working at the precinct level connect district- and state-level party organizations to their members and individual members to each other.
Which of the following did the 1991 law creating the Texas Ethics Commission (TEC) fail to do?
place a cap on campaign contributions Although the 1991 law establishing the TEC required lobbyists and legislators to file contribution reports, it failed to place a cap on campaign contributions.
Cities spend over half of their money on which of the following budget items?
police and emergency services
If school administrators in Texas began redesigning curricula to meet new educational standards adopted by the State Board of Education, which stage of the policymaking process would this represent?
policy implementation
s the Texas Water Development Board makes decisions about how to allocate the money from the Rainy Day Fund, what stage of the policymaking process does this represent?
policy implementation
The legislative actions considered during the 84th Legislature are an example of which stage of the policymaking process?
policy selection
Issue ads
political advertising that does not specifically call for the election or defeat of a named candidate but rather focuses on matters of public concern. 4.4
Attitudes about politics that public opinion polls show to remain widespread and relatively stable over long periods of time eventually become part of:
political culture.
Those opinions held by private persons which governments find it prudent to heed" is a famous political scientist's definition of:
public opinion
Which of the following administrative powers involves senatorial courtesy?
ratifying gubernatorial appointments
According to Sec. 17-122, religious organizations can give preference when renting property based on:
religious membership, as long as other protected characteristics are not considered.
Closed Primaries
require advance declaration of partisan affiliation to vote in a specific party's primary. Registered Republicans may only vote for Republican Party candidates, registered Democrats may only vote for Democratic Party candidates, and so on.
How many appointees does a governor choose over the course of a single term?
several hundred
What ideology is primarily associated with the Republican Party today?
social conservatism
What political ideology places a particular value on traditional religious beliefs and practices?
social conservatism They also support maintaining certain hierarchies in social relations.
The executive branch as created by the Texas Constitution is considered:
somewhat weaker than the legislature.
Immunities
special exemptions from certain public laws enjoyed by legislators when the Texas Legislature is in session. Among other privileges, legislators cannot be charged with or sued for slander over statements made during legislative proceedings, nor can they be arrested on charges other than treason, felony, or breaking the peace. 8.12
Texas legislators tend to dislike special sessions because:
special sessions interfere with the primary occupations.
According to polling discussed in the video, the most popular way of improving education among Texans required --
spending money.
the most common source of news is:
television.
Contract lobbyists
temporary employees of an interest group or organization who are hired specifically to present the group's concerns and proposals to legislators, bureaucrats, and other government officials during a legislative session or for a contractually arranged period of time. 4.6
Bicameralism
term describing a legislature with two chambers, from the Latin word camera, meaning "chamber." 8.2
Public opinion broadly reflects Texas's political culture and provides us with a running tally of how
that culture might change over time.
What did the judge in the multi-year lawsuit say about the air-conditioning in Texas prisons?
that it was equal to cruel and unusual punishment
The senate president pro tempore becomes acting governor for the day during which of the following?
the "governor for a day" ritual
Which was the first constitution in Texas that included language regarding public education?
the 1827 Constitution of Coahuila y Tejas Public education has been in the Texas Constitution since the 1827 Constitution of Coahuila y Tejas, which mandated the creation of a public education system.
Who has the power to issue a pardon?
the Board of Pardons and Paroles
Whose primary responsibility is it to schedule when bills or resolutions will be taken up for consideration by the members of the house?
the Calendars Committee
What were the two major pieces of civil rights legislation signed into law under President Lyndon Johnson?
the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act President Lyndon Johnson signed into law both the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, stating he gave the south to republicans for a long time after signing it.
What political event led to the end of Reconstruction?
the Compromise of 1877 The Compromise of 1877 led to the end of Reconstruction and resolved the disputed presidential election of 1876.
Which political group dominated elections at all levels for nearly a century following Reconstruction?
the Democratic Party
Which two authorities regulate campaign financing for elections in Texas?
the Federal Election Commission and the Texas Ethics Commission
What office does the land commissioner head?
the General Land Office
Which of the following groups was expressing beliefs consistent with social conservatism?
the Houston Area Pastor Council. By promoting traditional values over social change, the Houston Area Pastor Council was expressing values consistent with social conservatism.
Which office has been criticized for placing business interests ahead of environmental concerns?
the Land Office
What encouraged Anglo Americans to populate the Texas territory in large numbers?
the Mexican government's empresario policy, which awarded land grants to settlers.
A Republican candidate running for office in Texas would be MOST likely to seek an endorsement from which of the following groups?
the NRA In "deep red" Texas, the support of the NRA is important for Republican candidates for many reasons, not least of which is that the NRA has become a stand-in for the cultural opposition to government regulation and the exercise of individual rights that owning a gun embodies.
Which group spent over $200,000 on commercials to persuade citizens to vote against Prop 2?
the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
What party posed the most significant challenge to the post-Reconstruction Democratic Party?
the People's Party The People's Party, a third party that grew out of a group of tenant farmer and rancher cooperatives, posed the most significant challenge to the post-Reconstruction Democratic Party.
Which party enjoys the advantage of organizational strength in Texas?
the Republican Party Organizational strength is an important advantage for Republicans in Texas. The party has maintained significant financial resources and a web of organizational support.
Which piece of legislation did the Obama administration claim supported its interpretation of the states' power to determine qualified health care providers?
the Social Security Act
Influences on Constitution of Coahuila y Tejas (Estados Unidos Mexicanos) 1827
the Spanish Constitution of 1812 (establishment of a state religion, community property system, and homestead bankruptcy exemption) the U.S. Constitution (division of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches) the Constitution of Mexico (which traced its key elements to Spanish and U.S. constitutional traditions)
Who is responsible for regulating the oil and gas industry in Texas?
the Texas Railroad Commission
The Constitution of Coahuila y Tejas was influenced by several existing constitutions. The division of government powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches was borrowed from which of the following?
the U.S. Constitution
Which organization filed charges against the individuals involved in the Sharpstown stock fraud scandal?
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission The Sharpstown stock fraud scandal not only compelled Texas to take steps toward campaign finance reform, it also led the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to file charges against the individuals involved.
Nonpartisan
the absence of involvement or influence from political parties. ___________ elections are those in which the use of party labels on the ballot or in campaigning is prohibited by law. 2.2 | 3.5
What concern was of primary importance to the drafters of the Texas Constitution when creating the judicial selection system?
the accountability of judges
A proposal (with support from two-thirds of each chamber of the legislature) and ratification (with the support of a majority of citizens) are necessary for which of the following?
the adoption of a constitutional amendment More support is needed for the adoption of a constitutional amendment than for the passage of ordinary statutory laws. There must be a proposal with support from two-thirds of each chamber of the legislature, followed by ratification with the support of a majority of citizens.
Which of the following is based on the idea that encouraging lawyers to pursue the best interests of their respective clients is the best way for the system to ensure justice?
the adversarial system
Statutory laws
the body of laws created by a legislature, as opposed to those laws originating from the constitution or some other source. An individual law created by a legislature is referred to as a statute. 10.3
What is data mining?
the collection and analysis of massive amounts of information, used as a means of discovering patterns and associations in voter habits that are not readily apparent. In politics, data mining is used to identify the types of voters who contribute to, vote for, or volunteer on campaigns.
Precedent
the common-law principle according to which previous judicial decisions influence current and future judicial decisions unless the prior decisions are explicitly overruled. Specifically, past court rulings in similar cases are used to justify a similar approach to resolving current disputes of the same or similar types. 10.2
Double jeopardy
the condition of being tried a second time for an offense for which one has already been acquitted. 5.10
Which of the following was triggered by the Democratic Party's return to statewide power in Texas?
the constitutional convention of 1875
Of the officials who are elected countywide, which one oversees elections for the county?
the county clerk
Why is the prose of the Texas Constitutions difficult to understand?
the extensive length and disorganization of the Texas Constitution, combined with the framers' refusal to hire a stenographer The Texas Constitution is difficult to understand because it's very long and disorganized, and because the framers refused to use public funds to hire a stenographer. Even legislators today find the document difficult to amend due to its length and lack of organization.
Which of the following made it easier for minorities to participate in politics and drove many conservative, white Texans to join the Republican Party?
the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965
for the most part, immigration policy issues are generally under the jurisdiction of:
the federal government.
The constitution of 1845 gave the powers to appoint the attorney general and secretary of state to which of the following?
the governor The constitution of 1845 gave the governor the powers to appoint the attorney general and secretary of state. These appointment powers are similar to the president's.
Which of the following is an example of the power to persuade?
the governor taking advantage of good relationships with legislators in order to pass an important agenda
Veto
the governor's constitutional power to reject bills, concurrent resolutions, and appropriation items passed by the legislature. 7.6
Line-item veto
the governor's constitutional power to veto specific items in the legislature's budget bill rather than the whole bill. 7.6 | 9.8
Apart from internal divisions in the Democratic Party, what contributed to the growth of the Republican Party in Texas?
the growth of Texas suburbs and the migration of people in from other states
The diversification of the state's economy, the growth of cities, and national political party transformation have all contributed to which of the following?
the increasing diversity in the Texas Legislature
What does the marble cake symbolize in the context of federalism?
the intermingling of power among the national and state governments
In 2011, the Texas Legislature passed a measure that cut funding for family-planning programs by two-thirds. What demographic characteristic of the legislature does the webtext say played a role in this policy decision?
the lack of female representation in both chambers
Bonding authority
the legal ability to issue financial obligations for repayment of principal and interest, known as bonds. 12.10
Recall
the legal process by which voters may remove an elected official before his or her term in office has ended. 12.4
Which branch of the Texas government was given primacy by the constitution's framers?
the legislative branch The legislative branch of the Texas government was given primacy by the constitution's framers. This mirrors the primacy given to the U.S. Congress in relation to the other federal branches.
The Sunset review process demonstrates that state agencies are ultimately held accountable for their performance by whom?
the legislative branch, as house and senate members vote on all Sunset bills
While interest groups often influence the drafting of new legislation, which of the following acts as a check on that influence?
the legislator who sponsors the bill
What effect did the 1875 constitution have on the legislature?
the legislature was given less time in session to deliberate and react to events. Legislators were also given low wages and a small staff, which limited the government's ability to act.
Veto overrides
the legislature's ability to pass a bill into law over the governor's veto via a two-thirds vote of each chamber. 7.6
Gerrymandering
the manipulation of political boundaries and/or electoral constituencies to favor one party over another. 8.13
Revenue
the money collected by the government through taxes, fees, fines, and federal transfers. 14.3
Secretary of state
the only constitutional executive branch official appointed by the governor. This office administers elections and maintains important state records. 6.7
What explains the differences between public opinion and the presence of opposition to bills like HERO?
the opinions of voters who show up to the polls weigh more heavily on the policy-making process than does general public opinion Public opinion may differ from the opinion of voters who show up to the polls, and in such a case, the election result would be more in line with the values of actual voters than with those of the general public.
What does the TDCJ operate besides state prisons?
the parole supervision system
A communications director who works for the Republican National Committee would represent which semi-distinct group within the Republican Party?
the party organization Since a communications director is a paid employee of the RNC, he or she would represent the party organization.
Reconstruction
the period between 1865 and 1877 when former Confederate states were occupied by federal troops during the process of rewriting their constitutions, rebuilding from the war, and being readmitted to the Union. 1.5 | 3.10
populism came with:
the pioneers associated with the Jacksonian Democrats, who were following the frontier west from Tennessee to Texas. Characterized by mistrust of excessive private power (especially if the ones holding that power were large banks and corporations), the Jacksonian vision was of a functioning democracy where government served to restrain the accumulated power of large private interests.
Enhanced punishment
the policy of adding additional prison time or other penalties to the sentences of repeat offenders in order to discourage recidivism. 11.8
Commissioners court
the policymaking body of a county, made up of the county judge and four commissioners elected from single-member precincts. 12.10
What has led to the dramatic increase in borrowing by cities and counties?
the political preference of voters for issuing bonds over raising taxes
Which of the following powers allows the lieutenant governor to influence the choices the senate makes?
the power to appoint committees to the senate
Which of the following is the principal power of the legislature?
the power to make laws
Texas Penal Code
the principal code for criminal justice in the state of Texas. 11.7
Which of the following allows judges to focus on cases that will contribute something meaningful to the collective understanding of the law?
the principle of discretionary review, which holds that the supreme court and the court of criminal appeals may choose the appeals cases they wish to hear
Due process
the principle that government must protect the legal rights of citizens. These protections are grounded in the Bill of Rights and inform the American judicial system. 11.5
Reapportionment
the process by which seats in the House of Representatives are redistributed to each state to account for nationwide population shifts detected in the decennial census. 8.13
Markup
the process of making substantive changes and editorial corrections to a bill. Much of this work is carried out in committee and subcommittee meetings. 9.7
Party system
the relatively stable arrangement of voters, interest groups, and regions in the major parties over a fixed period of time. 3.7
What is included in the basic rights of the accused?
the right to a speedy public trial by an impartial jury
The 2010 elections saw incumbents defeated at higher rates than normal due to which of the following?
the rise of the Tea Party
Confederacy
the secessionist government of Southern states that formed in 1861 in reaction to the election of anti-slavery candidate Abraham Lincoln to the U.S. presidency. 3.8
Who is the highest-ranking official appointed by the governor in Texas?
the secretary of state
Concurrent jurisdiction
the situation occurring when two or more court systems (e.g., state and federal) both have original jurisdiction in a case or when two or more agencies (e.g., local police and the FBI) both have the power to deal with a problem or case. Ordinarily, the courts or authorities will decide among themselves which one shall consider the case or consider it first. 10.4
Precinct
the smallest electoral unit into which voters are grouped for the purposes of voting, vote tabulation, and party organizing. Each county is divided into one or more , with a total of more than 8,000 across Texas. 3.5
What is the person who introduces a bill for consideration known as?
the sponsor of the bill
Who is responsible for redrawing congressional and legislative districts?
the state legislature
Attorney general
the state's elected chief lawyer, who is responsible for defending the state in lawsuits and advising other state officials. 6.3
Comptroller of public accounts
the state's elected chief tax collector, accountant, estimator of revenues, and treasurer. 6.4
Incumbency
the status of currently holding an elective office, which usually presents a significant advantage in reelection contests due to the incumbent's name recognition, clear record of public service, and greater access to financial and organizational resources. 8.10
Tax base
the sum total of assets that can be taxed to pay for the operation of municipal government and city-provided services. 12.4
what is an effect of having "citizen legislators" who maintain careers outside of their jobs as public officials?
the system creates potential conflicts of interest in which legislators may advocate for measures that benefit their own business interests.
What does the corrections component of the justice system encompass?
the system of incarceration and parole
Jurisprudence
the theoretical study of law or a legal system. 11.7
one of the reasons using poll results to make predictions about low turnout elections can be difficult is:
the unexpected participation of a relatively small number of voters can lead to an unexpected result.
What is "grassroots mobilization"?
the use of strategic efforts by ordinary citizens, often on the part of an interest group, to organize political actions Digital technology and the development of relatively inexpensive tools for maintaining information about and contact with voters has enabled interest groups to engage in grassroots mobilization organized from the top down by professional organizations and trade groups
Classical Liberalism
the valuing of political arrangements that permit the fullest exercise of individual liberty without unreasonably restricting the liberties of others values political arrangements that allow for individual freedom—it encourages people to exercise their individual rights and liberty as long as they don't restrict the liberties of others.
What is political socialization?
the way that people acquire beliefs, values, and habits of thought and action related to government, politics, and society Political socialization is a process that happens over our lifetime. It is how people acquire beliefs, values, and habits of thought and action related to government, politics, and society—in other words, it helps form our political culture.
public policy is often shaped by the ways that Texans' preference for limited government comes into conflict with
the widespread expectation that the state will provide basic services and social infrastructure.
When crime rates dropped in the early 2000s, what policy reforms occurred around the same time in Texas?
there was a shift toward rehabilitation programs and reduced spending for prison facilities
What is the main reason it is important to study local government? Complete the following sentence by choosing the best answer. Local governments affect the average person the most because:
they are exposed to dozens of decisions made and implemented by local governments every day.
Stakeholders
those who have a direct interest in a particular policy. 14.2
one way the governor can pressure the legislature to pay attention to issue he or she think are important is to:
threaten to call a special session.
The framers of the 1876 Texas Constitution were reacting to perceived abuses by both the national and state governments under the Radical Republicans. How is this reaction reflected in the bill of rights?
through a series of sweeping generalizations aimed at averting the perceived political dangers of the time For example, Article I, section 1, takes aim at the national government, while Article I, section 2, reads as justification for the drafting of the new constitution.
How is public opinion measured?
through scientifically designed surveys known as public opinion polls and helps policymakers determine what Texans want from their political system.
In what way do parents usually influence their children's political socialization?
through subtle comments and body language regarding different actors and influences in society
What is the mission of the Conservative Roundtable of Texas?
to advocate for conservative business and political solutions in the state
What is the mission of NFIB?
to advocate for the interests of small, independent business owners NFIB has an ear to the ground on what's happening in Washington, D.C., and the state capitals. That puts NFIB at the forefront of advocating on today's most pressing small business issues, such as taxes, healthcare, and regulations.
What is the purpose of a primary?
to allow party members to choose the party's nominees for an upcoming general election There are three different types of primaries in the United States. Their purpose is to allow party members to choose the party's nominees for an upcoming general election.
Why was the Necessary and Proper Clause written into the Constitution?
to allow the national government to create new laws necessary for carrying out its powers
What are the two central functions of the Texas Legislature?
to allow the representation of various interests and to provide a forum where parties with conflicting goals can reconcile their differences through the lawmaking process
What is the primary purpose of redistricting?
to balance the population and voting power among districts
What is the purpose of the Commission on Judicial Conduct?
to consider whether a judge has violated the Code of Judicial Conduct
Why is the state bureaucracy decentralized?
to disperse power
Which of the following is a purpose of a constitution?
to establish procedures for making laws the "rulebook" for a democracy.
How do campaigns typically use successful poll results?
to establish their candidate's credibility or increase the impression of their candidate's inevitability.
What is the most important task for candidates to accomplish during a campaign?
to motivate voters to show up and vote.
Why did Governor Abbott sue the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Justice?
to preserve traditional values. Governor Abbott sued these federal departments due to his belief that transgender bathroom policies uproot traditional values.
What is the purpose of the waiting period before the legislature can act on pending legislation?
to prevent bills from being pushed through the legislative process too quickly without adequate deliberation
Why was the Rainy Day Fund created?
to prevent deep cuts to education and health care programs
What is the purpose of Substance Abuse Felony Punishment Facilities (SAFPFs)?
to provide rehabilitative drug treatment for qualified offenders
Why would land developers seek to create a MUD for an undeveloped region of the county?
to provide services like water and power to the residents of the planned development
Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of state bureaucracy?
to provide services to the population and to implement state policies
What is the purpose of a conference committee?
to resolve the often significant differences in the two versions of a bill passed by the house and senate
Governors make appointments for which of the following political purposes?
to set a political tone
What is implicit bias?
unconscious stereotypes that affect our understanding or decisions
According to the Texas voter identification law, in order to be permitted to vote --
voters must present one of the valid photo IDs on a prescribed list.
the creation of an income tax as a solution to the budget shortfall in 2011—
was widely opposed.
Sub-governments
well-defined networks of legislators, government bureaucrats, and private-sector interests tied together by specific policy matters with which they are all concerned and externally insulated to a significant degree from other actors. Also sometimes referred to as iron triangles. 4.5
