GOVT 2306 final review
"The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied...on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude" is a provision of: a. the Fifteenth amendment to the U.S. Constitution. b. the original U.S. Constitution. c. the Constitution of l876. d. the Nineteenth amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
A
A PAC is an: a. organization established by interest groups to collect contributions to political candidates. b. organization that plans and directs lobbying activities for interest groups. c. agency established by the government to regulate interest group activity. d. institution to distribute political jobs and contracts among interest groups.
A
A constitutional power which both state and national governments may exercise in a particular area of jurisdiction is called: a. concurrent powers b. exclusive powers c. expressed powers d. implied powers
A
A postponement of a sentence is termed a a. reprieve b. pardon c. commutation d. rendition
A
An enduring contribution of the Native American population to Texas' culture, government and politics is a. the state's name b. the structure of local governments c. state laws pertaining to property and mineral rights d. state laws pertaining to public lands
A
An individual is limited to how many terms in the Texas legislature? a. no limit b. three c. two d. five
A
An order from a higher court to a lower court to send up the record of a case is a writ of: a. certiorari. b. mandamus. c. injunction. d. quo warranto.
A
Appellate jurisdiction is: a. a review of the law as it was applied in the trial. b. a special procedure for proving someone innocent in a higher court. c. a violation of the prohibition against double jeopardy. d. none of the above.
A
Because of a long history of reliance on oil and natural gas taxes, Texas has depended far more than other states on a. severance taxes. b. corporate sales taxes. c. corporate profits taxes. d. sin taxes.
A
Enforcing the state's weights and measures laws is the responsibility of the a. commissioner of agriculture. b. commissioner of the general land office. c. secretary of state. d. comptroller of public accounts.
A
Federal government obligations to states include all of the following except a. organize and hold elections for state office b. respect territorial integrity c. protect against domestic violence d. guarantee a republican form of government e. provide security
A
I will appreciate your assistance in helping me become a better teacher. Would you please tell me what your overall evaluation of the course is: A. REALLY?!?!
A
In a federal political system power is: a. shared between the central government and constituent governments. b. concentrated in a unicameral legislature within a strong central government. c. bestowed in the central government, with no power being granted to constituent government. d. always vested in a bicameral legislature.
A
In an open primary: a. voters can vote in either party primary without disclosing their party affiliation. b. candidates may file for office up to one week prior to the primary election. c. the media is allowed access to voting results throughout the election day in order to report which candidate is leading. d. there are no registration requirements for voters, which allows people the chance to vote without being registered.
A
In council\manager government, the ________________ is responsible for carrying out policy. a. manager b. mayor c. council d. elected department heads
A
In principle the Republicans have been known as: a. the party of the middle and upper classes. b. the party of social welfare programs. c. the party of economic regulation. d. the party of liberal political ideas.
A
In the strong mayor variant of mayor/council government, the ____________ is responsible for carrying out policy: a. mayor b. council c. manager d. elected department heads
A
In which of the following are juries never used? a. Texas Supreme Court b. Justice of the peace court c. State district court d. Municipal court
A
Most delegates to the national nominating conventions are chosen by: a. primary elections. b. nomination procedures. c. popular votes. d. none of the above.
A
Negotiating a compromise on bills which differ on passage in each House is the function of a. conference committee. b. presiding officers of both houses. c. Governor. d. Legislative Council.
A
Of the different ways of ordering relations between central governments and local units, the most popular method in the world is: a. a unitary system b. a confederal system c. a federal system d. a bicameral system
A
One of the main functions the Attorney General performs for the state is: a. representing the state in civil litigation. b. appointing state's district attorneys. c. setting standards for county law enforcement agencies. d. all of the above
A
Regarding the removal power of the governor of Texas: a. The governor may unilaterally remove any member of his or her staff. b. The governor may impeach any public official. c. The governor may unilaterally remove from office any person that he or she appoints. d. The governor may remove nay state employee from office by refusing to sign the employee's paycheck.
A
The Comptroller of Public Accounts is: a. the chief tax administrator. b. the state's banker. c. appointed by the governor. d. both b and c are correct
A
The Secretary of the State: a. the chief elections official in Texas. b. elected to a four-year term. c. responsible for Texas dealings with foreign countries. d. all of the above.
A
The executive branch of Texas is divided into: a. many elective and appointive offices. b. many departments, all headed by appointed officials. c. one basic elective office with the cabinet appointed by the governor. d. many departments, all headed by elected officials.
A
The existence of lobbying is protected by the A. First Amendment B. Third Amendment C. Fifth Amendment D. Fourteenth Amendment
A
The largest single source of local revenues for most local governments is the: a. ad valorem property tax b. gasoline taxes c. sales tax d. none of the above
A
The major source of revenues for state government in Texas is the a. sales tax b. ad valorem property tax c. income tax d. both a and b are correct
A
The major source of revenues for state government in Texas is the: a. sales tax b. income tax c. ad valorem property tax d. both a and b are correct
A
The only state with a unicameral legislature is a. Nebraska b. Kansas c. Missouri d. Iowa
A
The salaries of the Texas legislators can be changed only by a. constitutional amendment b. order of the governor c. order of the comptroller d. order of the Legislature
A
The salary of the Texas governor is determined by the a. Legislature b. Supreme Court c. constitution d. Comptroller
A
The state court which is the highest court in civil matters in Texas is the: a. Supreme Court. b. Court of Criminal Appeals. c. Court of Appeals. d. none of the above
A
The supreme legal authority of the national party is: a. the national convention. b. the national committee. c. the president. d. the national chair.
A
The tax system in Texas is basically: A. regressive B. progressive C. aggressive D. retroactive
A
The two classes of city government established in the constitution are: a. general law and home rule. b. general law and city manager. c. standard board and home rule. d. city manager and standard board.
A
What is the largest non-anglo population in Texas? a. Hispanics b. Arabs c. Jews d. Black e. Japanese
A
When municipalities sell municipal bonds, they are participating in a form of a. deficit financing. b. franchise fee contracting. c. pass-through spending. d. proprietary spending.
A
Which of the following is not a required step in amending the Constitution? a. approval by the governor b. proposal by the Legislature c. ratification by popular vote d. publication of the proposal in newspapers
A
Which of the following is not among the "sin" taxes collected by the state of Texas? a. Pornographic literature tax b. Liquor tax c. Beer tax d. Cigarette tax
A
Which of the following is true of Social Darwinism? a. Wealth was deserved by individuals who acquired it. b. It did not go well with the traditional principles of laissez-faire. c. It urged government regulation to protect the weak. d. It did little to reassure Americans that change was progress.
A
Which of the following states has a larger population than Texas? a. California b. Ohio c. Alaska d. Florida
A
Would you recommend your political science teacher to your friends? A. again...I just need to put this in to save my numbering system:)
A
You and your spouse are granted a divorce by a Reno, Nevada, court, but Texas (your home state) refuses to recognize your new marital status. Which right is Texas abridging? a. Full faith and credit b. Right of eminent domain c. Privileges and immunities d. Right of free enterprise
A
You are driving in downtown Austin and receive a citation from a police officer for running a red light and for speeding. In which court would your case originate? a. Municipal court b. County court c. District court d. County court at law
A
A league of independent states in which the central government handles only those matters of common concern EXPRESSLY delegated to it is referred to as a: a. federal system b. confederal system c. democratic system d. unitary system
B
A major cause for the persistence of the 2-party system in the U.S. today is that: a. the major parties have become disciplined and issue oriented. b. election districts are single member so that only one candidate can win. c. third parties have failed to point up issues. d. major party ideas and platforms are too much like religious dogma.
B
A precinct is A. a police department. B. the smallest local voting district. C. the chairperson of the state party organization. D. a committee of the national party organization.
B
A problem of a closed primary system is that A. it does not allow the average party member the opportunity to participate in the delegate selection process. B. independent voters are excluded from participating. C. the public may not know the results of a close election for many days, or in some instances weeks. D. candidates must decide very early in the year if they are going to seek election to a certain elective office.
B
According to Daniel Elazar, the political culture of Texas is a. unique because of the discovery of oil. b. tradionalistic because of the influence of the Old South. c. moralistic because of the influence of the southern Baptists. d. A and B only
B
All of the following are major types of boards and commissions except: a. appointive b. ad hoc c. ex-officio d. elective
B
All state judges, except those on municipal court benches, are a. appointed by a judicial selection commission b. elected in partisan elections c. elected in nonpartisan elections d. appointed by the governor
B
An example of an IMPLIED POWER is the federal government's right to: a. tax citizens b. create a national bank c. forbid the exportation of U.S. weapons d. declare war
B
Community (junior) colleges in Texas are governed by a. decisions of the University of Texas Board of Regents. b. locally elected boards. c. one state board that oversees all community colleges. d. boards appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Texas Senate.
B
De novo means: A. the same thing as an appeal. B. a complete new trial. C. court of record. D. reversal of a district court decision.
B
In Texas, both the governor and the Legislative Budget Board submit budget proposals to the Legislature. This is called a. biennial budgeting. b. dual budgeting. c. bicameral budgeting. d. budget overkill.
B
In Texas, primary elections are administered: a. by party officials and the county commissioners. b. entirely by political party officials. c. by special teams from the Office of the Secretary of State. d. entirely by the county commissioners.
B
In order to be a registered voter in Texas today, one must meet all of the following requirements except: a. be a resident of Texas. b. pay a poll tax to the county of residence. c. be a citizen of the United States. d. be at least l8 years of age.
B
In principle the Democrats have been known as: a. the party of conservative political ideas. b. the party of the working class. c. the party of the economic elite. d. the party of economic depression.
B
Legislators in Texas come from districts that are: a. unequal in population size in the Senate, but equal in population size in the House. b. equal in population size in both the House and Senate. c. unequal in population size in the House, but equal in population size in the Senate. d. unequal in population size in both the House and Senate.
B
Original jurisdiction is: a. the rule of law which determines the legality of an arrest. b. The power to try a case for the first time. c. the first time the defendant sees a magistrate. d. none of the above
B
Powers of the presiding officers of the Legislature do not include a. power to recognize members who want to speak. b. power to control legislative salaries. c. power to interpret the rules. d. power to refer all bills to committees.
B
Public-interest groups: a. have effectively challenged the powerful interests in Texas. b. claim to represent the general good rather than special interests. c. have made a notable impact on Texas politics. d. are stronger and more effective in Texas than they are at the national level.
B
Severance taxes are A. taxes paid by companies for unemployment insurance. B. taxes on separation of natural resources from their environment. C. taxes charged on manufactured products. D. none of the above.
B
States may not: a. license marriages. b. make treaties with foreign nations. c. regulate sale of liquor. d. license occupations.
B
Texas has: a. neither a personal income tax, a corporate profits tax, nor a severance tax on oil and natural gas. b. neither a personal income tax nor a corporate tax law. c. a right-to-work law but no severance tax on oil and natural gas. d. a right-to-work law and corporate profits tax law.
B
The American electoral system is based on: a. a proportional representation system. b. a "winner-take-all" system. c. a combination of a & b. d. none of the above.
B
The Republic of Texas: a. joined the U.S. as a state in 1836. b. became the 28th state of the U.S. in 1845. c. drafted and adopted its third constitution in 1836. d. was formed in 1845 with a Declaration of Independence from Mexico.
B
The Texas Constitution has been amended (as of the present date): a. 280 times b. over 450 times c. 27 times d. 300 times e. only a few times
B
The Texas Constitution provides that justices of the Supreme Court are to be: a. appointed by the Governor and the Attorney General. b. elected c. selected by the "Missouri Plan". d. appointed by the Governor for six year terms.
B
The Texas Constitutional Convention of 1974: a. was composed of members of the Texas House and Legislative Council. b. failed to agree on a proposed constitution. c. adopted a proposed constitution by a 2/3 vote. d. had delegates selected from the public by popular vote.
B
The Texas Legislature has all of the following characteristics except: a. single member districts. b. a unicameral structure. c. a Senate and House of Representatives. d. a total of 181 members, 31 in the Senate and 150 in the House.
B
The Texas state election law specifies that it use: a. a nonpartisan primary. b. a closed primary. c. an open primary. d. a blanket primary.
B
The chief law enforcement officer for the county is the: a. county judge b. sheriff c. police chief d. constable
B
The chief obstacle to the revision of the Texas Constitution is: a. lack of constitutional provision for revision. b. opposition by powerful interest groups. c. popular indifference. c. lack of a precedent for revision of a state constitution.
B
The comptroller reaches office by: A. appointment by the governor B. popular election C. appointment by the Legislative Budget Board D. election by the Legislature
B
The fiscal year for the state government runs from a. January 1 - December 31st b. September 1 - August 31st c. April 1 - March 31st d. July 1 - June 30th
B
The main reason Texas' executive branch power is fragmented is because: a. the governor has extensive important appointive power. b. the framers of the Texas Constitution had a basic fear of executive power. c. it follows the national model which is inappropriate for a state. d. none of the above
B
The real legislative work on the budget is done in a. the conference b. in committee c. absentia d. on the floor
B
The salary of the lieutenant governor is determined by the a. courts b. constitution c. governor d. legislature
B
The sales tax is a a. retaliatory tax b. regressive tax c. progressive tax d. severance tax
B
The social security tax is a a. progressive tax b. regressive tax c. proportional tax d. none of the above
B
The speaker of the Texas House of Representatives is: a. chosen primarily on the basis of seniority. b. selected by a majority vote of his fellow representatives. c. elected by voters in a statewide election. d. all of the above.
B
The term ENUMERATED POWERS refers to: A. those powers that a federal government has by definition of being a national government B. the powers specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution. C. powers granted to both the federal government and the state governments. D. the power of the federal government to make laws to implement stated policies.
B
Those who favor registration requirements argue: a. that voter turnout would decline without such requirements. b. that such requirements prevent fraudulent voting practices. c. it would be unconstitutional to eliminate registration requirements. d. that all states should adopt the voter information test.
B
Voting and registration requirements are set: a. in the Constitution. b. by each state. c. by Congress every four years. d. in the Federal Statutes.
B
Weaknesses of Texas constitution include: A. great length, many amendments, and a Bill of Rights. B. many amendments, rigid restrictions, and excessive detail. C. separation of powers, over 280 amendments, and federalism. D. none of the above.
B
What tax was levied for extraction of natural resources in Texas? a. Road Use Tax b. Severance Tax c. Oil & Gas Tax d. School Tax e. Property Tax
B
When judges are elected in at-large elections A. Republicans have the advantage over Democrats. B. Anglos have the advantage over minorities. C. African-Americans, but not Hispanics, have the advantage over Anglos. D. Independents have the advantage over either Democrats or Republicans.
B
Which of the following groups could not be classified as a special interest group in Texas? a. American Association of University Professors. b. La Raza Unida Party. c. Texas Farm Bureau. d. Texas State Chamber of Commerce.
B
Which of these districts are not determined by the Legislature? a. Texas House b. U.S. Senate c. U.S. House d. Texas Senate
B
You have been convicted in Indiana of a crime and escape to Texas, where you are apprehended by the local police. Indiana wants you back. Which constitutional provision would Indiana invoke? a. Full faith and credit b. Extradition c. Police power d. Privileges and immunities
B
A COG is: A. a new form of city government for rural areas. B. a special district. C. a voluntary grouping of governments which have not given up their sovereignty. D. both A and B are correct.
C
A bill that must originate in the House is A. civil statute B. criminal statute C. revenue bill D. private bill
C
A major function of the national convention is: a. the selection of all candidates for office running on the party label. b. the enactment of legislation that will prevent the development of third parties. c. to nominate the presidential and vice-presidential candidates. d. to purge members of the party in Congress who have failed to support the party on a minimum of 60% of the issues.
C
A panel that meets in private to hear evidence presented by prosecutors and decide whether to issue criminal indictments is a a. capital jury b. district jury c. grand jury d. petit jury
C
A political culture is: a. a major problem for rulers of stable forms of government. b. a written set of codes which dictate political action. c. a pattern of political beliefs and values of a community. d. a club that attempts to influence governmental decisions.
C
A regressive tax is one whereby the burden a. increases as a person's income increases. b. falls most heavily on middle-income taxpayers. c. declines as a person's income increases. d. declines as a person's income decreases.
C
After the end of the legislative session, the governor's veto is: a. easy to override due to the time lapse between sessions. b. difficult to override due to the necessity of a three-fourths vote. c. in practice absolute. d. easily overridden by the legislature.
C
Agricultural interest groups include all but: a. the American Farm Bureau Federation. b. the National Grange. c. the Sunbelt Buyers. d. the Farmers Union.
C
Establishing courts is a a. Power of state government b. Power of county government c. Concurrent power d. Power of national government e. none of the above
C
Failure on the part of a grand jury to return an indictment is called a. a true bill b. an information c. a no bill d. a misdeanor
C
In a closed primary: a. no candidate may appear on the ballot unless he or she has notarized their intent to be a candidate for that specific office. b. the results of the election are not announced until all ballots have been checked by leaders of both major parties. c. only registered party members are allowed to vote. d. only party leaders are allowed to vote for the selection of delegates.
C
In the United States, citizens live under: a. only the constitution of the state in which they reside. b. no constitution c. both the U.S. and a state constitution d. only the U.S. Constitution.
C
Intraparty contests for the right to be the party's nominee in the general election are termed: a. special elections. b. nominating elections. c. primary elections. d. general elections.
C
Minimum age for a representative a. 60 b. 30 c. 21 d. 31 e. 26
C
Minimum age for a senator a. 60 b. 31 c. 26 d. 30 e. 21
C
Of the following, which court is not required to have an attorney as its presiding judge? a. district court. b. county court-at-law. c. county court. d. none of the above.
C
PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION allows for: a. second election in districts where no candidate gets a majority. b. local electoral districts to choose their own representative. c. legislative seats to be allotted in proportion to the total number of votes a party gets. d. election by plurality vote, rather than majority vote.
C
Political patronage is concerned with: a. bribes and graft b. government contracts for campaign supporters. c. government employment for loyal election workers. d. the interface of government and religion.
C
Recent population shifts in Texas have been A. from urban to rural. B. from rural to urban and back to rural. C. from rural to urban, from large cities to suburbs. D. from large cities to rural, from suburbs to rural.
C
Senatorial courtesy refers to a. the informal norms of the Senate that require members to treat each other with courtesy and decorum b. the Senate's authority to veto the governor's selection of key staff members c. the custom that allows an individual senator to block the governor's appointment of a person who lives in that senator's district d. the authority of the Senate to confirm or reject the governor's appointments to state boards and commissions
C
Some county courts have been designated as probate courts. What material is handling in a probate court? a. Decisions on whether or not an adult should receive probation b. Decisions on whether the recommendation from the Pardons and Paroles Divisions should be upheld c. Decisions on wills d. Decisions on whether or not a juvenile should receive probation
C
Texas currently ranks _________ in number of electoral votes, with 34. a. fifth b. fourth c. second d. third e. first
C
Texas statutes prohibit direct political contributions from: a. persons convicted of a felony. b. labor-union leaders. c. corporations d. corporate executives.
C
Texas' most expensive public service is A. the state highway program. B. higher education. C. public schools. D. prison construction.
C
The Jim Crow laws were a. laws regulating the sale of alcoholic beverages; b. laws that imposed excessive tariffs on farmers. c. segregation laws that deprived African-Americans of many economic, social and political rights. d. laws that encouraged the political participation of African- Americans;
C
The Texas Constitution calls for legislative redistricting a. every five years to reflect on population change b. as desired by the Legislature. c. during the first regular session after the federal decennial census. d. annually.
C
The community property laws and homestead laws in Texas a. have been copied by all the other forty-nine states. b. are responsible for settling the land claims of the Kickapoo Indians. c. are symbols of our Spanish heritage. d. are indicative of Texas' long-standing support for equal rights.
C
The concept of horizontal federalism deals with: a. relationships between the national government and other democratic governments. b. relationships between the national government and state governments. c. relationships between state governments. d. relationships between state government and the local or county governments.
C
The expression stare decisis refers to legal argument by: a. logic b. analogy c. precedent d. habeas corpus
C
The governor may appoint individuals to all but one of the following offices a. commissioner of labor statistics. b. adjutant general. c. comptroller. d. secretary of state.
C
The governor of Texas can be removed from office by: a. conviction by the Texas Supreme Court following a writ of removal by the Texas legislature. b. a recall vote by the electorate following the filling of a recall petition. c. impeachment by the House and conviction by two-thirds of the Senate. d. impeachment by the House.
C
The highest court in Texas in which a criminal case can be consider is the: a. court of appeals b. district court c. court of criminal appeals d. supreme court
C
The last major effort at constitutional revision in Texas occurred in the period of: a. 1947-1948 b. 1924-1925 c. 1971-1975 d. 1896-1900
C
The legislative agency which reviews state agencies and recommend whether they will be continued or abolished is the a. Administrative Advisory Commission. b. Committee on Economy and Efficiency in government. c. Sunset Advisory Commission. d. Legislative Budget Board.
C
The lieutenant governor of Texas is: a. the presiding officer of the House. b. the majority leader of the Senate. c. the President of the Senate. d. none of the above
C
The lower house of the Texas legislature is: A. composed of 181 members elected from multimember districts. B. the more prestigious house. C. members elected from districts of roughly equal population. D. elected at-large throughout the state.
C
The personal income tax in Texas: a. is about the same as it is in other states b. has been constitutionally banned c. doesn't exist d. is quite high
C
The primary consequence of a state being a part of a federal system is that: a. states cannot be unitary in structure. b. states must provide for separation of powers. c. there is a division of power between two levels of government. d. sovereignty remains totally with the national government.
C
The responsibility for budget execution rests with a. the Legislative Budget Board. b. each executive agency of the state. c. the governor. d. the Executive Budget Office.
C
The state can be involved in: A. criminal cases. B. civil cases. C. both civil and criminal cases. D. only those specified in Article I of the Texas Constitution.
C
The state of Maryland imposed a tax on the Bank of the United States because: a. Maryland taxed all banks at that time. b. the Bank of the United States was the only bank in Maryland. c. it feared an extension of centralized political power. d. individuals were not being taxed on their money by the national government.
C
This is not the state power according to the 10th amendment: a. conducting elections b. providing public safety c. making treaties d. establishing local government e. determining qualifications of voters
C
To be nominated by the direct primary method in Texas, a candidate: a. must obtain a 2/3 majority vote of party members. b. needs to win a plurality in the second primary. c. must win an absolute majority of those voting in that party primary. d. must win both first and second primaries.
C
Two politically important groups organized by Spanish-speaking Texans are: a. LULAC and NCATE b. NCATE and NAACP c. PASO and LULAC d. NAACP and PASO
C
Which is not a professional interest group? a. the American Medical Association b. the National Education Association c. the Moral Majority d. the American Bar Association
C
Which is the only major statewide officeholder appointed by the governor? a. attorney general b. comptroller c. secretary of state d. lieutenant governor
C
Which of the following groups was the least likely to vote Democratic in recent elections? a. Catholics b. blacks c. white protestants d. Jews
C
Which of the following is not an informal qualification for the typical Texas governor? a. a WASP b. male c. at least thirty years of age d. a conservative Democrat
C
Which of the following positions is most likely to be supported by the Republican party: a. More government support for social welfare programs b. Less government funding for military aid programs c. Less government funding for minority aid programs d. More government regulation of business activities
C
Which of the following programs would liberals support? a. Less regulation of big business b. Regressive rather than progressive taxation c. Government programs to provide for Medicare and Medicaid d. Provide additional tax benefits to those people in the upper-income brackets
C
Which of the following statements is true of special elections in Texas? a. They are held to fill vacancies in state executive offices. b. They are held to fill vacancies in the president's cabinet. c. They are held to fill vacancies in congressional offices. d. They are held to fill vacancies state judicial offices.
C
Who may draft a bill for introduction in the House? a. a private individual. b. the President. c. any member of the House. d. all of the above
C
"The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied...on account of sex" is a provision of: a. the Constitution of l876. b. the Fifteenth amendment to the U.S. Constitution. c. the original U.S. Constitution. d. the Nineteenth amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
D
A general obligation bond is one that a. is paid by the receipts from the area that has borrowed the money. b. is not influenced by the state's credit rating. c. will allow the state to continue its pay-as-you-go fiscal policies. d. is backed by the full faith and credit of the state.
D
A presidential primary is held to: a. generate voter support for the general election. b. allow voters the opportunity to vote for the candidates they want to be President and Vice President. c. help each candidate to realize what states he or she is favored to win in the general election. d. select delegates to the national convention of both major parties.
D
Action for divorce must be instituted in: A. justice of the peace court. B. municipal court. C. county court. D. district court.
D
After many years of being "turned off" by politics, you have decided to register to vote. Where may you go to register to vote in the state of Texas? a. The local office of the Texas secretary of state b. The office of your congressperson c. The office of your state representative or state senator d. The county courthouse
D
An example of a special district is a: a. water district b. hospital district c. school district d. all of the above
D
An individualistic political culture is one in which: a. the Irish, southern and eastern European immigrants were the founders of this culture b. corruption is tolerated c. the function of government is to serve the needs of the individuals d. all of the above
D
Before Texas' constitution was amended, the governor was elected for: a. a single two-year term with no re-election permitted. b. a minimum of two terms of two years each. c. no more than two terms of four years each. d. two-year terms with no limit on the number of terms.
D
Cloture is a a. motion to refer a bill to a standing committee. b. motion to get a bill out of a committee. c. device to extend debate on an important bill. d. device to halt a filibuster.
D
Favorable factors of the Texas economy include a. Right to work option b. Pro-buisness attitude c. No state income tax d. all of the above
D
If the office of governor is vacated by absence of the governor, it is filled by a. Speaker b. Secretary of State c. President pro temp of the Senate d. Lieutenant Governor
D
In practice, a veto by the governor of Texas is: A. overridden a majority of the time. B. easily overridden, but seldom is. C. less effective at the end of the session. D. usually final.
D
Length of a representative term a. 3 b. 1 c. 4 d. 2 e. 5
D
Length of a senate term A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4 E. 5
D
Oil and natural gas production is regulated by the: a. Texas Conservation Board b. General Land Office c. Texas Energy Board d. Texas Railroad Commission
D
One potential disadvantage of an open primary is: a. the possibility that people may not vote if the media indicates that one candidate has a very large margin of votes in comparison to other candidates. b. the possibility that too many candidates will decide to run for the same elective office. c.a number of voters will vote more than once since there are no registration laws. d. voters of one party will vote for the weakest candidate of the other party.
D
Psychologically, voters decide on the basis of: a. the candidate's personality or character. b. the candidate's position on the issues. c. the party affiliation of the candidate. d. all of the above
D
Relative to gubernatorial succession, which of the following statements is true? a. If the governor suffers a physical disability, the attorney general rules on the information and designates the lieutenant governor to take over until the next election. b. If the governor dies in office, the speaker of the House becomes governor until the next election. c. If the governor becomes mentally incompetent in office, the lieutenant governor becomes governor until the next election. d. If the governor is in Oklahoma on a dove hunt, the lieutenant governor becomes acting governor.
D
Special sessions of the Texas legislature are: a. for 140 days. b. called by the legislature. c. convened at the request of the Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the House. d. none of the above
D
State budgets are prepared and enacted for a period of: a. four years b. three years c. one year d. two years
D
Texas chief election officer since l967 has been: a. the governor. b. the lieutenant governor. c. the attorney general. d. the secretary of state.
D
The Federal Election Campaign Act of l974 provided: a. campaign contributions cannot exceed $l00 to any one candidate. b. money for candidates to borrow at a lower interest rate than the current market value. c. public financing for candidates seeking election to Congress and the presidency. d. public financing for presidential primaries and presidential candidates in the general election.
D
The Full Faith and Credit Clause: a. is optional upon the determination of the governor. b. was one of the New Deal Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. c. is an implied power of the national government. d. applies to the recognition of public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of each state by the other.
D
The Immigration Reform and Control Act of l986 a. appropriated funds for more INS personnel. b. provided amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants. c. penalized employers for knowingly hiring undocumented workers. d. all of the above
D
The Supreme Court ruled in 1960 that all districts within a state must have: a. Democrats and Republicans b. representation c. equal number of males and females d. equal number of people
D
The commission form of city government originated in which of the following: a. San Antonio b. Houston c. Amarillo d. Galveston
D
The commissioner of the General Land Office is responsible for: a. running the veteran's land program. b. leasing oil drilling rights on state property. c. leasing public lands. d. all of the above
D
The corporate profits tax in Texas is: a. about the same as it is in other states b. quite high c. outlawed by the state constitution d. non-existent
D
The county auditor is A. elected countywide. B. appointed by commissioners court. C. appointed by the county judge. D. appointed by the district Judges.
D
The first African-Americans to come to Texas were: a. slaves of Anglo settlers b. soldiers c. free men d. slaves of Spanish explorers
D
The function of the Justice of the Peace is to: A. hear minor civil and criminal cases. B. serve as a notary public. C. perform marriages. D. all of the above.
D
The governor may exercise the item veto on which of the following a. any bill b. joint resolutions c. any bill originating in the House d. the appropriations bill
D
The largest expenditure of rural county income is a. indigent care in county hospitals. b. county welfare programs. c. administrative costs of county government. d. county roads and bridges.
D
The migration of people from rural regions to growing cities is called a. metropolitanization. b. the Industrial Revolution. c. suburbanizaion. d. urbanization
D
The privileges and immunities clause of the Constitution means: a. elected officials of state government cannot be tried by the national government. b. elected officials of the national government cannot be tried by state governments. c. A citizen of another country cannot be treated as an alien in any state. d. a citizen of one state cannot be treated as an alien in another state.
D
The process of amending the Texas Constitution includes the provision that amendments must be proposed by: a. three-fourths of all state legislatures. b. a simple majority of both houses of the Legislature. c. a two-thirds majority of a concurrent session of the Legislature. d. a two-thirds majority of the total membership of both houses of the Legislature.
D
The state executive committee, in addition to a chair and vice chair, includes a man and woman from each: a. county. b. state representative district. c. congressional district. d. state senatorial district.
D
The term IMPLIED POWERS refers to: A. those powers that a federal government has by definition of being a national government. B. the powers specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution. C. powers granted to both the federal government and the state governments. D. the power of the federal government to make laws to implement stated policies.
D
The term used to describe the situation in which a committee refuses to release a bill which effectively kills the bill, is a. engrossment b. caption c. gerrymander d. pigeonhole
D
The ultimate goal of any political interest group is to: a. elect candidates who are at least sympathetic to their views. b. elect candidates who share their views. c. attract attention to their group and its purpose. d. influence public policy for the benefit of its members.
D
What word best describes the social make-up of the Texas people? a. brutality b. homogeneity c. politicized d. diversity
D
Which administrative officials in Texas are not elected? a. the governor b. the attorney-general c. the comptroller of public accounts d. members of the Highway Commission e. each of the above is elected
D
Which of the following is not a penalty for conviction on an impeachment charge in Texas? a. Disqualification from holding any appointive state office b. Disqualification from holding any elective state office c. Removal from office d. Disqualification from holding any federal office
D
Which of the following would be most likely to be hired as a lobbyist for a major economic concern? a. a Ph.D. in political science b. a highly skilled salesperson c. a trained public relations person d. a former member of the legislature
D
Which of the types of elections listed below are held in Texas? a. primary elections b. general elections c. special elections d. all of the above
D
Who was the only Texas governor to be removed from office by impeachment? a. James Allred b. Gus Mutscher c. Miriam A. "Ma" Ferguson d. James E. "Pa" Ferguson
D
A special law passed for the purpose of punishing a certain person without a trial is called: a. Ex Post Facto Law b. Sine Qua Non c. Quid Pro Quo d. Writ of Mandamus e. none of the above
E
In MARBURY V. MADISON the Supreme Court decided that: a. Marshall should not have signed the commission. b. a provision of the 1801 law was unconstitutional. c. Madison must deliver the commission. d. judicial commissions were a right, not a privilege. d. none of the above
E
Monthly pay of legislators for Texas legislators A. $60 B. $90 C. $140 D. $150 E. $600
E
Number of judges on the Supreme Court A. 3 B. 4 C. 5 D. 6 E. 9
E
Texas political culture includes all but one of the following: a. There is the legacy of ethnic and cultural heterogeneity. b. Texans are pro-business, low taxes, and regressive tax minded. c. Texans are a conservative and traditional people. d. Social Darwinism is a dominant philosophy in Texas political culture. e. Texans are predominantly moralistic with residuals of traditionalist culture.
E
The chief records keeper for the county is the: A. County judge. B. County auditor. C. County sheriff. D. County attorney. E. none of the above.
E
Which amendment to the U. S. Constitution limited state sovereignty? a. 24th Amendment b. 14th Amendment c. 16th Amendment d. a and b e. all of the above
E
Which case supported the concept of implied powers? a. McHenry v. Maryland, 1819 b. Plessy v. Fergerson, 1819 c. Livingston v. Connecticut, 1819 d. Greeks v. Geeks, 1819 e. McCulloch v. Maryland, 1819
E
The Texas Constitution has grown most through: a. amendment b. custom c. usage d. judicial interpretation
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