Texas Government (2306)- The Executive Branch-Ch 4

Which group recommends to the legislature whether a state agency should be abolished, merged, reorganized, or retained?

Sunset Advisory Commission

Which group oversees statewide school testing in Texas?

Texas Education Agency (TEA)

What is the policy in Texas regarding term limits on the governor?

Texas does not place term limits on governors.

Texas has a plural executive. What does this mean?

Texas has multiple offices within the executive branch that all share power.

What restriction is placed on the Texas governor's special session power?

The length of a special session is limited to 30 days.

Which power does the Texas governor have?

The power to call the legislature into special session and specify the subject matter of that session

After the legislature adjourns, how long does the governor have to veto pending bills and concurrent resolutions?

20 days

What is the minimum age required to run for governor of Texas?

30

Citizens of Texas who meet the criteria can apply to be appointed to positions by the governor. True or False?

True

Offices in the Texas executive branch are not subject to term limits. True or False?

True

The governor is constitutionally permitted to pardon murderers. True or False?

True

What powers can the governor exert over the judicial branch?

Appoint replacements to retiring judges

What power allows the Texas governor to nominate friends and political supporters for political positions?

Appointive power

What is the only constitutionally prescribed method of forcing a Texas governor from office before the end of a term?

Impeachment by the House of Representatives and conviction by the Senate

When Governor Rick Perry used social media to connect with constituents by sending a holiday greeting, he was using social media to enhance which type of executive power?

Informal power

Should a governor die, resign, or be removed from office, or should a governor-elect refuse to take office or be permanently unable to fill the office, who would be the first in the line of succession?

Lieutenant governor

The Texas governor delivers a State of the State address to promote a harmonious relationship with legislators. Which type of legislative power is this an example of?

Message power

The Board of Pardons and Paroles can grant convicted criminals what type of clemency without action by the governor?

Paroles

If the governor decides to strike a bargain with a senator in which they promise not to deny funding for the senator's pet project and in return, the senator agrees to support a bill the governor favors, this would be an example of what political tactic?

Pork-barrel politics

What is the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) responsible for today?

Regulating the oil and gas industry

In a death sentence case, which act of executive clemency can the governor of Texas use to temporarily suspend execution?

Reprieve

When a state judge dies, resigns, or is removed from office, how is the vacancy filled?

Gubernatorial appointment

The line-item veto gives the Texas governor control over which aspect of the state?

Budget spending

What is one way the legislature limits the governor's control over the state bureaucracy?

By limiting the governor's independent removal power

Who does most of the law enforcement work in Texas?

City police departments and county sheriffs' departments

While the governor agreed that the convicted criminal should have their rights restored, the governor required that they not be allowed to practice medicine again in their lifetime. Which act of executive clemency is being used?

Conditional pardon

Which statement is true regarding gubernatorial campaign contributions and donors? A.) Donors of large amounts of money are often appointed to key policymaking positions in Texas. B.) Donors who want a key position appointment must keep their contribution under $2,000 to qualify according to Texas law. C.) Donors of large amounts of money are often appointed to key policymaking positions in Texas but not elsewhere in the United States. D.) Donors of large amounts of money are not allowed to be appointed to key policymaking positions in Texas.

Correct Answer: A.) Donors of large amounts of money are often appointed to key policymaking positions in Texas.

Which of the following statements is true? A.) The most recent Democratic Governor of Texas had the most diversity in their appointments. B.) Governor Rick Perry appointed the smallest proportion of non-White people to executive positions. C.) George W. Bush appointed a larger percentage of non-Whites to executive positions than his predecessors during his time as governor. D.) Greg Abbott has appointed a larger proportion of non-Whites to positions than Rick Perry.

Correct Answer: A.) The most recent Democratic Governor of Texas had the most diversity in their appointments.

The Texas executive branch has certain features. Select all that apply. A.) A majority of the Texas executive branch is appointed. B.) The Texas secretary of state is elected by voters. C.) Gubernatorial appointments in Texas require approval by the state senate. D.) The Texas executive branch consists of both elected and appointed officials.

Correct Answer: C.) Gubernatorial appointments in Texas require approval by the state senate. D.) The Texas executive branch consists of both elected and appointed officials.

What type of positions does the governor make appointments to? (Select all that apply.) A.) Boards, commissions, and councils B.) Task forces C.) Legislative seats D.) Replacements for elected judicial officials

Correct Answer: A.) Boards, commissions, and councils B.) Task forces D.) Replacements for elected judicial officials

Which of the following is an elected position in the Texas executive branch? (Select all that apply.) A.) The governor B.) The secretary of state C.) Justice of the Texas Supreme Court D.) The railroad commissioners

Correct Answers: A.) The governor D.) The railroad commissioners

Which of the following positions share executive power with the governor? (Select all that apply.) A.) The secretary of state B.) State senators C.) The justices of the Texas Supreme Court D.) The Texas Railroad Commissioners

Correct Answers: A.) The secretary of state D.) The Texas Railroad Commissioners

Which of the following are reasons for the increasing power of the Texas governor? Select all that apply. A.) By calling frequent special sessions of the legislature, Texas governors have realized their policy goals more effectively. B.) The creation of more state commission and agencies by the legislature has increased the power and influence of the governor. C.) By using the post-adjournment veto more frequently, Texas governors have pursued their own policy goals more effectively. D.) The extension of the term of office of the governor from two to four years has increased the policy impact of Texas governors.

Correct Answers: All (A,B,C,&D)

Which of the following does the Railroad Commission of Texas regulate? (Select all that apply.) A.) The railroads B.) Gas utilities C.) School lunches D.) Coal mining

Correct Answers: B.) Gas utilities D.) Coal mining

During the initial outbreak of COVID-19 in March 2020, Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of emergency. What power was he exercising?

Executive

Gubernatorial appointments in Texas reflect the ethnic and racial diversity of the state population. True or False?

False

True or False: The Texas governor and lieutenant governor are elected on the same ticket.

False

Which executive official's duties include awarding oil, gas, and sulfur leases for lands owned by the state?

The commissioner of the General Land Office

Who is the state's chief accounting officer and tax collector?

The comptroller of public accounts

Who acts as Commander-in-Chief of the state's military forces?

The governor

Which action represents a function within the authority of the Texas comptroller?

Use of discretion by the comptroller in the distribution of grant requests made to their office