Texas Govt 2306 Chapter 8 The Executive Branch

Which of the following statements about the governor's appointive powers are accurate?

Appointive powers offer the governor significant patronage opportunities. Appointive powers allow the governor to influence agencies in the Texas government.

The governor can directly grant a pardon.

False

The land commissioner is responsible for the administration of animal quarantine laws, inspection of food, and enforcement of disease- and pest-control programs.

False

How long is the governor's term in office, and how many terms are allowed?

Four year term, with no limit on the amount of terms

Which of the following statements about the Texas governor's military and police power are accurate?

Only the governor can declare martial law. The governor appoints members to the Public Safety Commission. The governor can use informal powers and the prestige of the office to compel law enforcement action.

which factors help make the office of governor powerful

Power to reorganize state government Budget-making power Line-item veto

Who sets the governor's salary?

The Texas Legislature

What is the Texas Senate's role in appointments made by the governor?

The Texas Senate confirms the governor's nominees. The Texas Senate can remove nominees from office. The governor gets the input of a nominee's home-district senator.

Which of the following are arguments made against the plural executive?

The plural executive can lead to a counterproductive relationship among members of the executive branch. The plural executive is often ineffective.

Which of the following are arguments made in support of the plural executive?

The plural executive protects against abuses of power by elected officials. The plural executive is more democratic than are other arrangements.

Which of the following does the line-item veto allow governors of Texas to do?

allow control over appropriations, reduce expenditures to punish agencies, reduce expenditures for programs that are disfavored by the governor

The Texas attorney general is mostly involved in civil law matters. In which of the following ways does the attorney general's office become involved with criminal cases?

appointing special prosecutors representing criminal cases in federal courts

Which of the following are the formal requirements necessary to become Texas governor?

at least 30 years of age U.S. citizen resident of Texas

Which of the following are the responsibilities of the comptroller of public accounts?

certifying the approximate biennial revenue of the state, directing the collection of taxes, ensuring the safety of the state's money

Which of the following are offices of the plural executive?

governor lieutenant governor attorney general comptroller of public accounts commissioner of the General Land Office commissioner of agriculture secretary of state

What are the duties of the governor's staff?

keeping track of bills in the legislature scheduling the governor's time recommending political appointees

Which of the following are reasons for why the governor of Texas has less power than the U.S. president and governors of other states?

the Constitution of 1876, the plural executive, limited power of appointment