Chapter 2

In 2015, the Texas legislature passed legislation allowing greatly reducing local governments' ability to pass or enforce more strict regulation.

"open carry" firearms

In what year was the Texas constitution that is called the "carpetbagger's constitution" adopted?

1869

Of all of Texas's constitutions, which one provided for a strong centralized government?

1869

In what year did the current Texas Constitution become effective?

1876

Article III of the Texas Constitution states that the senate is composed of ______ members and the house of representatives is to be ______ members.

31; 150

Which of the following correctly identify an article of the Texas Constitution and the general topic it addresses?

Article XVII: amending the Constitution Article VI: suffrage

Which clause of Article 4 of the U.S. Constitution requires one state to recognize a divorce concluded in another state?

Full Faith and Credit

Which of the following are true of decision in the case of McCulloch v. Maryland?

It contributed to definitions of national supremacy. It broadly interpreted the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Which of the following describe Article II of the Texas Constitution?

It discusses the separation of powers in Texas government. It more explicitly refers to the separate checks on the branches of government than does the U.S. Constitution.

As compared to the U.S. Constitution, how does the Texas Constitution address the system of checks and balances?

It is more specific.

Which of these statements is most accurate regarding the Texas Constitution?

It is one of the longest state constitutions in the nation.

Which of the following are reasons that the level of detail in the Texas Constitution is problematic?

It makes the constitution too inflexible. It contributes to the unwieldy length of the document. It contributes to the necessity for constant change to the constitution.

Which of the following describes the Interstate Commerce Clause?

Its meaning and application have changed over time. The definition of what is interstate commerce is determined by the courts.

Which statement is true regarding the freedoms identified in state constitutions and the U.S. Constitution?

Many state constitutions provide more freedoms than the national constitution

How did later constitutions handle the provisions of the 1845 statehood constitution?

Most of its provisions were included in later constitutions.

In Texas, what is the legislature's role in proposing amendments to the state's constitution?

Most state constitutions are lengthy, especially when compared with the federal constitution.

Requirements that out-of-state students pay higher tuition rates for higher education is an example of an exemption to the

Privileges and Immunities

Which clause in Article 4 of the U.S. Constitution means, generally, that a state cannot treat its citizens differently from citizens of other states?

Privileges and Immunities

What was the first constitution to govern Anglos in Texas?

Republic of Mexico's constitution

Which statement is accurate regarding amending state constitutions?

State constitutions are amended much more often than the national constitution.

Which of the following is an example of a structural amendment to the Constitution?

Tenth Amendment

How does the Texas Bill of Rights compare to the U.S. Bill of Rights?

The Texas Bill of Rights recognizes more individual liberties.

How do most constitutions governing American states compare to the federal constitution?

They are longer with greater detail.

Why did the framers of the U.S. Constitution separate powers and provide for a system of checks and balances?

They were afraid of concentrating power in the hands of a single person.

According to legal experts and political theorists, which of the following most closely meets the "ideal characteristics" for a constitution?

U.S. Constitution

Which statement best summarizes voters' responses to the constitutional amendment process in Texas?

Voters approve far more proposed amendments than they reject, thanks to intense efforts by interest groups

Which of the following best describes the level of success of constitutional amendments in Texas?

Voters have approved a majority of proposed amendments.

Separation of powers provides

a check on the actions of government

Which of the following advantages are available in a federal system?

accommodation of a diversity of preferences ability to apply the most appropriate level of government healthy competition between states

Which phrase best describes a constitutional convention as used in most states?

an assembly of citizens who may propose general revisions to the state constitution

An advantage of federalism, as pointed out by the Supreme Court in Bond v. United States (2011), is that is protects the liberty of individuals from

arbitrary power

Which phrase best describes the ideal constitution, according to the textbook?

broad and flexible

What was the primary objective of the authors of Texas's 1869 constitution?

centralization

Under Article IV of the Texas Constitution, which of the following offices are part of the executive branch?

comptroller of public accounts commissioner of the general land office attorney general governor lieutenant governor

Based on the current political culture of Texas, the constitution will likely

continue to be amended in a piecemeal process

What are constitutions?

contracts between the government and the people

Articles IX and XVI of the Texas Constitution concern the

creation and structure of counties in the state

Which details of government are covered under Article V of the Texas Constitution?

describes the judicial branch outlines the qualifications for judges in Texas

What characteristics of the political culture in Texas are reflected in the current constitution of the state?

desire to limit the government's ability to act distrust of government conservatism

The Republic of Texas Constitution of 1836 is best characterized by which of the following?

distrust of government

Article III of the Texas Constitution

divides the legislature into two branches sets the qualifications for legislators sets the terms of office of members of the legislature sets the qualifications and terms of office for the executive

Which of the following principles underpin both the U.S. Constitution and the Texas Constitution?

division of power social contract theory popular sovereignty

Which of the following adaptations of Spanish law were reflected in the Texas Statehood Constitution of 1845?

equal property rights for women protection of a person's homestead from forced sale to pay debts

As compared to other states, Texas's bill of rights is

equally permissive

Most state constitutions create a weak

executive; legislative

The 1824 constitution was in concept.

federalist

In its history, Texas has had Blank______ constitutions.

five

Under Article IV of the Texas Constitution, how many positions in the executive branch are elected?

five

A major strength of the federal system is its

flexibility

As compared to the U.S. Constitution, most state constitutions

have been amended more often

The current Texas Constitution

is in line with voter's desires for decentralization. is compatible with the political climate of the state supports the idea of limited government

As compared to the "average" state constitution, Texas's constitution

is longer has more amendments

According to Article V of the Texas Constitution

judges in Texas are elected

Most state constitutions have which of the following characteristics?

large amounts of detail prohibitions on deficit expenditures limits on how funds can be spent

In all states, the can propose changes to the state constitution.

legislature

Which of the following dictates the ballot wording of all constitutional amendments in Texas

legislature

Initiative-generated amendments are

less likely to succeed than those proposed by state legislatures

Most state constitutions have which of the following characteristics?

limits on how funds can be spent prohibitions on deficit expenditures large amounts of detail

Ballot wording in constitutional amendment elections is

often intentionally noninstructive and misleading

What is the exception to the separation of powers in the Texas Constitution?

only expressly permitted instances

Under the principle of popular sovereignty, power rests with the

people

The constitutional principle that holds that the power granted in state constitutions rests with the people is known as

popular sovereignty

Which of the following principles underpin both the U.S. Constitution and the Texas Constitution?

popular sovereignty division of power social contract theory

The constitution of 1876 accomplished which of the following?

reestablished many statewide and local elected offices restricted the powers of the legislature reflected the traditionalistic/individualistic political culture of the state

An amendment to the Texas constitution that addressed what issue was ruled to be unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2015?

same-sex marriage

Which of the following principles underpin both the U.S. Constitution and the Texas Constitution?

social contract theory popular sovereignty division of power

What is the only nonelected official position in Texas?

state board of education member

According to Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis, one advantage of a federal system is that it fosters

state innovation

Under supremacy principles, passed by state legislatures are superior to the passed by local governments.

statutes; ordinances

Fear of what led to the plural executive system that is used in Texas today?

strong executive authority

In accordance with the of the Constitution, state laws that conflict with federal laws are unconstitutional.

supremacy clause

The structure of the executive branch in Texas is purposely Blank______ pursuant to Article IV of the Texas Constitution.

supreme

All state constitutions contain articles relating to

taxation and finance

Critics of the Interstate Commerce clause argue that it gives too much power to

the federal government

Which of the following best describes social contract theory?

the idea that individuals have inalienable rights and willingly submit to government to protect these right

The 1845 statehood constitution reflected which political cultural characteristic?

traditionalistic

In what system of government are all functions centralized and controlled by the national government?

unitary

The 1999 Select Committee on Constitutional Revision found that the Texas Constitution

was not in need of a general revision.