State and Local Gov. Practice

Which procedure best describes how the NC constitution can be amended? A. After three-fifths of all the members of each house of the General Assembly vote to adopt an amendment it is submitted to the voters of the State for their ratification or rejection. B. Amendments are read three times in each house of the General Assembly before they become law, and must be signed by the presiding officers of both houses and all congressional members. C. Every resolution intending to amend the State Constitution must be read twice in each house of the General Assembly before it becomes effective and shall be signed by all members of both houses. D. Revising the constitution requires the new election of members of the House of Representatives and the apportionment of said Representatives from various districts to special constitutional committees.

A. After three-fifths of all the members of each house of the General Assembly vote to adopt an amendment it is submitted to the voters of the State for their ratification or rejection.

U.S. political parties vary greatly on social policies such as abortion, religion, and education. Which term best describes what these parties must often do to avoid political gridlock? A. Compromise B. Debate C. Negotiation D. Consensus

A. Compromise

A county commissioner and her husband recently adopted a child. Through this experience of adoption, the commissioner learned of numerous problems in the foster-care system. She found that social workers are overworked, and many of the buildings they work in are old and terrible. As a result, she has made it her mission as a commissioner to see to it that adequate funding is allocated to reduce the workload of social workers and to provide much needed maintenance to their buildings and office spaces. Which board would this county commissioner most likely attempt to allocate relatively more funding for? A. Department of Social Services B. Mental Health Services C. The Adoption Board D. Board of Education

A. Department of Social Services

What are the primary duties of the North Carolina Secretary of State? A. Economic and business related activities. B. Oversee North Carolina's elections. C. Travel abroad to represent North Carolina to foreign dignitaries. D. Oversee the budgetary processes in the state.

A. Economic and business related activities.

What was a change made in the North Carolina Constitution of 1868? A. Incorporated the Declaration of Rights that was passed in 1776. B. The required school year was changed from 6 months to 9 months. C. Fixed the Senate and House membership at a certain number. D. Provided the Governor with a veto power.

A. Incorporated the Declaration of Rights that was passed in 1776.

Before children can begin attending public school, they must get a series of shots and vaccinations which are typically available for free or for a reduced fee through the county government. Which of the following county boards or departments provides these services? A. Public Health Department B. Mental Health Services C. Board of Education D. Department of Social Services

A. Public Health Department

Who sets the boundaries of counties, cities, and towns in North Carolina? A. The General Assembly B. The counties, cities and towns themselves C. Citizens of the counties, cities, and towns D. The Governor

A. The General Assembly

The power to grant pardons and reprieves lies with which of the following positions? A. The Governor B. Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court C. County Sheriff D. Member of the House of Representatives

A. The Governor

What elected body has general responsibility in North Carolina counties? A. The board of commissioners B. The NC General Assembly C. The North Carolina Sheriffs' Association D. The Register of Deeds

A. The board of commissioners

Which of the following would disqualify a citizen from voting in North Carolina? A. The potential voter was convicted of a felony B. The potential voter has lived in North Carolina for only two years before the election C. The potential voter does not have a driver's license in North Carolina D. The potential voter does not own land

A. The potential voter was convicted of a felony

In North Carolina, who hires and supervises the police chief in a non manager municipality? A. governing board B. general assembly C. city manager D. voters

A. governing board

The board of county commissioners sets local property tax rates, adopts the county budget, and passes ordinances and resolutions to establish county policies. Additionally, boards of commissioners are responsible for: A. Setting departmental policies for independent boards B. Allocating funding to independent boards and approving independent board budgets C. Enforcing the laws of the county D. Maintaining records of real estate ownership and other vital records

B. Allocating funding to independent boards and approving independent board budgets

What would most likely happen if cities did not have the power of annexation? A. Cities would take land by force B. Cities would not be able to grow in an ordered way C. Cities would die out. D. The population of cities would increase.

B. Cities would not be able to grow in an ordered way

Which of the following is NOT a position in the Council of State? A. Superintendent of Public Instruction B. Commissioner of Public Safety C. Commissioner of Agriculture D. State Auditor

B. Commissioner of Public Safety

Josh was arrested for allegedly participating in a child kidnapping plot. In which court would Josh first be brought up on charges? A. State district court B. Federal district court C. State superior court D. Federal appeals court

B. Federal district court

Which of the following would NOT be considered a capital project? A. The purchase of 17 acres of land by a county. B. Hiring additional teachers for a school district. C. Constructing a 40 story government office complex. D. Paving 10 miles of road in Vance County.

B. Hiring additional teachers for a school district.

How did the passage of the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution affect the states? A. It ended slavery in all of the states. B. It forced the states to comply with all provisions in the United States Constitution and forbid states to pass laws abridging those rights. C. It instructed states to remove all constraints on voting based on race. D. It gave Congress the power to collect income taxes from citizens, a right previously held only by the states.

B. It forced the states to comply with all provisions in the United States Constitution and forbid states to pass laws abridging those rights.

How does a general statute become enacted? A. It is proposed by the people, voted on, and if successful, it becomes law. B. It is proposed by the legislature, passed, and then signed or not signed by the Governor. C. The Governor's Cabinet writes these rules and regulations into law to regulate industries in the state. D. Local governments (city and county) pass general statutes to regulate things in their jurisdiction

B. It is proposed by the legislature, passed, and then signed or not signed by the Governor.

Which court has the highest jurisdiction in the state of North Carolina? A. North Carolina District Courts B. North Carolina Court of Appeals C. North Carolina Superior Courts D. None. They hear different types of cases.

B. North Carolina Court of Appeals

Which of the following correctly completes the blank in the diagram below? A. North Carolina Traffic Court B. North Carolina Court of Appeals C. None. There are only local courts and the Supreme Court. D. North Carolina Civil Courts North Carolina Supreme Court ? North Carolina Local Courts

B. North Carolina Court of Appeals

Unlike a city or town governing board, the board of county commissioners shares authority for setting county policy with other officials, some of which are also elected. Which of the following is an example of an elected county position? A. Director of Mental Health Services B. The Clerk of Court C. ABC Manager D. Director of Social Services

B. The Clerk of Court

Which of the following replaced governor appointed "justices of the peace" with an elected board of county commissioners to represent citizens' interests on a local level? A. The NC Constitution of 1776 B. The NC Constitution of 1868 C. The NC Constitution of 1971 D. North Carolina General Statute 47-2

B. The NC Constitution of 1868

Smiling man looking at dollar bill facing away from two people: Woohoo!! Let's Hear it for bigger lottery payouts! Nearby businessman: Winning ticket? Nearby businesswoman: Nah ... Just another NC lottery employee admiring his bigger paycheck QUESTION What does the cartoon above suggest? A. The North Carolina Lottery is paying out more funds to educational staff. B. The North Carolina Lottery is paying out more funds to its employees. C. The North Carolina Lottery collects more funding than necessary. D. The North Carolina Lottery is reducing the amount of its winnings and giving money to its employees

B. The North Carolina Lottery is paying out more funds to its employees.

Which of the following rights is protected in the North Carolina Constitution, but not the United States Constitution? A. Freedom of speech and of the press. B. The right to an education C. Ex post facto laws shall not be enacted D. The right to bear arms

B. The right to an education

Which best represents the primary purpose of a political party? A. To organize volunteers to work at voting precincts as to dissuade voter fraud. B. To coordinate the creation of political platforms in an effort to win elections. C. To elicit opposition party information through wire taps to gain political leverage. D. To enforce adherence to their policies though coercive and sometimes violent means.

B. To coordinate the creation of political platforms in an effort to win elections.

If a debate arose in North Carolina over the extent of a taxpayer's responsibility for building new roads, which two state cabinets would be involved in any resulting legislation? A. Departments of Commerce and Correction B. Departments of Transportation and Commerce C. Departments of Revenue and Transportation D. Departments of Correction and Revenue

C. Departments of Revenue and Transportation

Which branch of government makes the first presentation of a budget? A. Legislative Branch B. Judicial Branch C. Executive Branch D. None of the above. Counties make the state's budget.

C. Executive Branch

How many state senators are there in North Carolina? A. Two B. Fifteen C. Fifty D. One Hundred

C. Fifty

What does the Powell Bill do with some revenues it collects from gasoline taxation? A. It provides subsidies for motorists who cannot afford to use a motor vehicle. B. It is used for research and development with alternate energy technologies. C. It distributes the funds to cities to be used only for construction and maintenance of city streets. D. It distributes the funds to economically depressed cities to be used only to lower the cost of gasoline for low-income families.

C. It distributes the funds to cities to be used only for construction and maintenance of city streets.

Which of the following is illegal, according to the North Carolina Constitution? A. An income tax of eight percent B. A sentence of death C. Levying a poll tax on voting D. Merging a city and a county into one government

C. Levying a poll tax on voting

Which agency would have jurisdiction over speeding violations within a city? A. Sheriff's department B. Department of Transportation C. Local police D. State highway patrol

C. Local police

Which statement is typical of American interest groups? A. They rarely look to legislators or the judicial process to achieve their policy goals. B. They run their own slate of candidates for office in many parts of the country. C. Most advocate select key policies and are experts in those areas. D. Like political parties, they try to appeal to everyone.

C. Most advocate select key policies and are experts in those areas.

Recently, a county commissioner's sister became deathly ill after eating contaminated chicken at a local restaurant. After a brief investigation, it became clear that due to a lack of funding, restaurant inspections in the county were occurring far less frequently than scheduled. The restaurant the commissioner's sister ate at was nearly a year overdue for their inspection. Based on this information, which county board or department is in need of increased funding? A. The ABC board B. Mental Health Services C. Public Health Department D. Department of Social Services

C. Public Health Department

Public Schools 40% Health&Human Services 23% University System 14% Justice&Public Safety 10% Natural&Economic Resources 5% Debt Service&Other Reserves 4% QUESTION According to the graph, what was the largest source of General Fund expenditure in 2007-2008? A. University System B. Health and Human Services C. Public Schools D. Justice and Public Safety

C. Public Schools

What tax does the following describe? This state and local tax is paid by individuals when they purchase a good or service in the state of North Carolina. A. Corporate Income Tax B. Individual Income Tax C. Sales Tax D. Service Tax

C. Sales Tax

Which entity determines the power of local governments? A. The U.S. Constitution B. Congress C. The state government D. The Attorney General

C. The state government

Who has the power to directly regulate drinking ages, marriage and divorce laws, and public education? A. Both state and national governments. B. The national government. C. The state government D. National, state, and local governments.

C. The state government

What is a ballot referendum? A. An act of the legislature that becomes law. B. A modification to a voting ballot. C. A removal of the Governor by ballot. D. A direct vote of citizens to accept or reject a particular proposal.

D. A direct vote of citizens to accept or reject a particular proposal.

The federal food stamp program is administered at the county level. Which independent county board is responsible for administering the program? A. The ABC board B. Mental Health Services C. Public Health Department D. Department of Social Services

D. Department of Social Services

The social services independent board is responsible for which of the following? A. Regulating restaurant cleanliness and providing shots to prevent illness B. Registering voters and maintaining voter registration information C. Providing treatment to substance abusers D. Helping children through foster care, adoption, and counseling programs

D. Helping children through foster care, adoption, and counseling programs

Bayard v. Singleton is a North Carolina Supreme Court case that said: A. The North Carolina Supreme Court is the highest court in the state. B. The public schools of North Carolina should be integrated. C. The economic disparity between schools should be adjusted to equalize funding between poor and rich school districts. D. Judicial review of General Assembly acts is a power of the judiciary.

D. Judicial review of General Assembly acts is a power of the judiciary.

Who serves as the President of the North Carolina Senate? A. The Vice President B.The Speaker of the House C. President Pro Tempore D. Lieutenant Governor

D. Lieutenant Governor

What is debt service? A. The amount of money a county owes to another party (usually a bond holder). B. The amount of money the state owes to another party (usually a bond holder). C. A division in county government that manages debt for the county. D. Payments of principal and interest on a loan.

D. Payments of principal and interest on a loan.

Which is the best example of a municipal chamber of commerce activity? A. Sponsoring a citywide clean-up B. Hosting a cruise for tourists. C. Working on building public housing. D. Providing information to people interested in locating businesses in the city.

D. Providing information to people interested in locating businesses in the city

Which description best explains the North Carolina Governor's veto power? A. They can eliminate federal judges from federal district court without approval from the general assembly. B. They can tax imports and exports without the benefit of constituent approval through the referendum process. C. They can create new jobs that will boost the state's economy without authorization from the state budget commission. D. They can refuse to sign a bill or particular parts of a bill sent to them by the General Assembly.

D. They can refuse to sign a bill or particular parts of a bill sent to them by the General Assembly.

Which of the following is the best way for a voter to find out information about candidates and their position on various issues? A. Listening to unbiased radio and T.V. commercials sponsored by the candidates. B. Reading newspaper editorials generated from both liberal and conservative publications. C. Attending or viewing national nominating conventions and actively getting involved in the process. D. Watching an open debate between candidates and learning about their respective platforms.

D. Watching an open debate between candidates and learning about their respective platforms.

A special election in which an entire community's electorate is asked to vote on a proposal, such as a new law or a change to the existing law, is called what? A. an initiative B. a tuition voucher C. a recall D. a referendum

D. a referendum