Test 3
49) Which burden of proof is used in civil matters? A) "The average person" B) "Preponderance of evidence" C) "Beyond a reasonable doubt" D) "Clear and present danger"
B) "Preponderance of evidence"
54) In 2005, the Texas legislature passed a bill adding which change to the sentencing phase of capital cases? A) "life in prison" B) "life without parole" C) "death by lethal injection" D) "death by firing squad"
B) "life without parole"
22) Texas freshwater is derived from_____ natural lake(s). A) 200 B) 1 C) 20 D) 178
B) 1
23) Texas has ____ four year institutions of higher education and ___ community colleges. A) 40;135 B) 38; 50 C) 23;62 D) 10;59
B) 38; 50
62) The punishment range for a murder in Texas is: A) life without parole B) 5 to 99 years and a fine up to $10,000 C) 2 to 20 years and a fine up to $10,000 C) 2 to 10 years and fine up
B) 5 to 99 years and a fine up to $10,000
9) Which state was rated the most liberal in the SPI policy liberalism ranking in 2012? A) New York B) California C) New Jersey D) Massachusetts
B) California
80) Goods where, by nature or design, exclusion is impractical or impossible, but use or enjoyment can potentially exhaust the good are called: A) Toll goods B) Common-pool goods C) Pure public goods D) Social goods
B) Common-pool goods
34) Texas must maintain enough space for its prison population because courts have ruled that overcrowding: A) Infringes on the right to a speedy trial B) Constitutes cruel and unusual punishment C) Does not provide enough protection from unlawful search and seizure D) Does not adequately protect prisoners from possible self-incrimination
B) Constitutes cruel and unusual punishment
71) The majority of tax revenue in Texas comes from: A) Franchise taxes B) Consumer taxes C) Property taxes D) Income taxes
B) Consumer taxes
98) When economic conditions are bad, state tax revenues in Texas: A) Must be shared with the federal government B) Decrease C) Are unaffected D) Increase
B) Decrease
56) In Texas, what manner are county Sheriffs chosen for service? A) Appointed by county officials for a two-year term B) Elected by county voters for a four-year term C) Appointed by state officials for a four-year term D) Elected by county voters for an eight-year term
B) Elected by county voters for a four-year term
73) Which of the following is an example of a common-pool good? A) A toll bridge B) Groundwater C) National defense D) Education
B) Groundwater
59) Based on Table 12.4, in your Textbook, which group is most likely associated with the greatest pressure to transition populations to other alternatives? A) Juveniles under probation supervision B) Juveniles in state residential facilities C) Adults in prison D) Adults under community supervision
B) Juveniles in state residential facilities
40) Which state has the lowest incarceration rate? A) California B) Maine C) Massachusetts D) Texas
B) Maine
37) Scandals such as evidence tampering in crime labs prompt calls for Texas to pass reforms address which of the following problems: A) Fine and fee practices B) Misconduct in the justice system C) Over criminalization D) Police militarization
B) Misconduct in the justice system
67) Public goods are characterized by 2 key features. One of which is: A) Monopolistic proclivity B) Nonexcludability C) Excludability D) Rivalrous consumption
B) Nonexcludability
39) The vast majority of crime in Texas involves: A) Violence B) Property C) Sexual acts D) Firearms
B) Property
17) Compared to other states, how does Texas compare to other states with regard to "public welfare" spending? A) Slightly above average B) Slightly below average C) Significantly below average D) Significantly above average
B) Slightly below average
46) What describes the rules associated with the criminal justice process in Texas? A) Texas Penal Code B) Texas Code of Criminal Procedures C) Texas Civil Law D) Texas Code of Conduct
B) Texas Code of Criminal Procedures
3) The result of tuition "deregulation" in 2003 was A) just a slight rise in tuition rates. B) a near doubling of tuition rates between 2003 and 2011. C) minimal, as tuition rates changed little. D) a benefit for students, as tuition rates declined
B) a near doubling of tuition rates between 2003 and 2011.
77) In Texas, citizens can be excluded from all of the following for nonpayment, EXCEPT for A) sewer. B) education. C) electricity. D) water.
B) education.
86) About 62% of the money that Texas receives from the federal government is spent on A) education. B) health and human services. C) public safety. D) transportation.
B) health and human services.
8) Groundwater in Texas A) provides about 10% of the state's total water supply. B) is owned by the person who owns the land above it. C) is governed by the same rules that apply to surface water. D) All of these answers are correct.
B) is owned by the person who owns the land above it.
78) What are the two primary sources of revenue for local government in Texas? A) block grants and local sales tax B) local sales tax and property tax C) property tax and state grants D) income tax and state sales tax
B) local sales tax and property tax
82) According to Table 13.1, in a comparison of the 15 most populous states, where did Texas rank in the amount of revenue raised per $1,000 of personal income? A) near the highest B) near the lowest C) It was the median D) highest
B) near the lowest
93) Which of the following taxes CANNOT be shifted? A) franchise tax B) personal income tax C) business tax D) property tax
B) personal income tax
5) In some cases, the policy implementation stage of the policy cycle is A) an alternative to policy adoption. B) skipped altogether because the new policy is symbolic. C) the only part of the policy-making cycle that is actually carried out. D) a time-honored role for legislators.
B) skipped altogether because the new policy is symbolic.
79) What is meant by income-elastic taxes? A) taxes that have been given a special "elastic" designation as part of the budget "fix" B) taxes that change quickly relative to economic conditions C) taxes that change slowly relative to economic conditions D) taxes that can easily stretch to meet funding shortfalls
B) taxes that change quickly relative to economic conditions
100) When the price of oil experiences a prolonged price increase, A) the Texas economy suffers and Texas state revenues increase. B) the Texas economy improves and Texas state revenues increase. C) the Texas economy improves and Texas state revenues decrease. D) the Texas economy suffers and Texas state revenues decrease.
B) the Texas economy improves and Texas state revenues increase.
21) In Texas an initial permit to carry a concealed firearm costs about ________. A) $100 B) $20 C) $140 D) $78
C) $140
61) Texas has ____ categories of felony offenses. A) 3 B) 4 C) 5 D) 6
C) 5
68) How many states do not have any form of personal income tax? A) 2 B) 13 C) 7 D) 19
C) 7
90) Which of the following is an example of tax shifting? A) The legislature votes to increase the cigarette tax B) A waitress does not report the cash tips she received as income C) A landlord raises the rent after his property taxes go up D) A wealthy school district is required to give some of its tax revenue to a poorer school district
C) A landlord raises the rent after his property taxes go up
47) Which state leads the nation in the number of death row inmates waiting to be executed? A) Florida B) Texas C) California D) Louisiana
C) California
42) In criminal cases, the state is required to share with the defense any information or evidence that could assist the accused. This is called ___________________________. A) Explanatory evidence B) Public evidence C) Exculpatory evidence D) Revealed evidence
C) Exculpatory evidence
4) Bilingual education in Texas dates back to the early twentieth century, when ________ in Texas wanted to teach their native language(s) in the schools. A) Serbs B) Latinos C) Germans D) Native Americans
C) Germans
2) The Top Ten Percent Rule aims to: A) Provide pay raises for outstanding teachers B) Make it easier for low income families to purchase better healthcare coverage C) Increase minority enrollment in Texas universities D) Equalize funding in public K-12 schools
C) Increase minority enrollment in Texas universities
35) About how many inmates, parolees, and individuals on community supervision are supervised by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice? A) More than 1 million B) Just under 750,000 C) Just over 500,000 D) About 250,000
C) Just over 500,000
18) Undocumented immigrants in Texas are still eligible to receive: A) Public housing B) Food stamps C) K-12 education D) Welfare
C) K-12 education
20) Based on the 1981 U.S. Supreme Court decision in ________, all states are required to provide K-12 education for undocumented immigrants and their children. A) Rodriguez v. San Antonio B) Lawrence v. Texas C) Plyler v. Doe D) Edgewood v. Kirby
C) Plyler v. Doe
31) Civil law has to do with: A) Rules of behavior B) Property crimes C) Private financial matters D) Basic kindness requirements
C) Private financial matters
41) This is a temporary (30 day) stay of execution the governor of Texas may grant: A) Redaction B) Commuted sentence C) Reprieve D) Pardon
C) Reprieve
12) TAKS was replaced by the ________ exam to assess students' academic progress. A) Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills B) GMAT C) State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness D) Stanford Achievement Test
C) State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness
85) The per capita tax rate is not very informative about how much citizens actually pay because: A) It does not include sales taxes B) Most people refuse to disclose how much they pay in taxes C) Taxes are often exported to other states D) States over report tax revenues
C) Taxes are often exported to other states
58) The Chief Law Enforcement Agency in Texas is A) Harris County Sheriff's Department B) Texas Rangers C) Texas Department of Public Safety D) Athens Police Department
C) Texas Department of Public Safety
10) The individual mandate of the Affordable Care Act is: A) The requirement that all welfare recipients be drug tested B) The belief that parents should be able to use state funding to pay for private school C) The requirement that every person has health insurance D) The belief that individual's should not be dependent on state welfare
C) The requirement that every person has health insurance
57) If a person sues Starbucks because she was burned by its hot coffee, this is an example of: A) Family law B) Contract law C) Tort law D) Property law
C) Tort law
66) In the juvenile system in Texas, ______ means a violation of the penal code. A) CINS B) parens patriae C) delinquent conduct D) incorrigibility
C) delinquent conduct
88) How are school districts funding their increased share of the cost of local education? A) the lottery B) federal grants C) higher local property tax D) special excise taxes
C) higher local property tax
97) According to Figure 13.2, which of the following categories of taxes contributed the most to the Texas treasury in 2014-2015? A) franchise B) motor vehicle sales and rental C) sales D) oil and natural gas production
C) sales
44) Compared to 2013, the crime rate in Texas in 2014 was A) about half. B) basically the same. C) somewhat lower. D) much higher.
C) somewhat lower.
63) A Class A Misdemeanor is considered a less serious crime is punishable by: A) 180 days in jail B) a fine only C) up to one year in jail and a fine up to $4,000 D) up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000
C) up to one year in jail and a fine up to $4,000
26) The Texas Legislature has determined the total number of hours required for a complete bachelor's degree is: A) 63 B) 89 C) 100 D) 120
D) 120
83) For fiscal years 2015-2016, the Texas state budget was about $________ billion. A) 268 B) 123 C) 75 D) 209
D) 209
60) The Texas Department of Corrections had a budget of ______ for the fiscal year 2016. A) 437.11 billion B) 54.89 billion C) 31.93 billion D) 3.20 billion
D) 3.20 billion
70) What proportion of the Texas state budget comes from the federal government? A) One half B) One quarter C) Two thirds D) About One third
D) About One third
72) Which of the following is a consumer tax? A) sales tax B) motor vehicle sales tax C) tobacco tax D) All of these answers are correct.
D) All of these answers are correct.
51) This is the reduction in punishment for an individual convicted of a crime: A) Reprieve B) Pardon C) Redaction D) Commuted sentence
D) Commuted sentence
7) Higher education in Texas: A) Is primarily funded by federal grants B) Is primarily funded by tax dollars C) Is funded by an even mix of tax revenue and tuition D) Is primarily funded by tuition and fees
D) Is primarily funded by tuition and fees
11) In 2003 the U.S. Supreme Court found that antisodomy laws were unconstitutional in the case of A) Rodriguez v. San Antonio. B) Edgewood v. Kirby. C) Plyler v. Doe. D) Lawrence v. Texas
D) Lawrence v. Texas
87) Taxes in Texas are considered regressive because: A) The same percentage of income is taken from all citizens B) High-income persons pay a higher percentage of their income C) The percentage of income take depends on a citizen's age D) Low-income persons pay a higher percentage of their income
D) Low-income persons pay a higher percentage of their income
32) Which Supreme Court decision declared "life without parole" cruel and unusual punishment for juveniles? A) Mountain View v. Texas B) Morales v. Truman C) Roper v. Simmons D) Miller v. Alabama
D) Miller v. Alabama
27) This is the granting of forgiveness by the state for a conviction: A) Commuted sentence B) Redaction C) Reprieve D) Pardon
D) Pardon
75) According to Table 13.5, how have property tax collections changed in Texas from 2009 to 2014? A) Property tax collections have not changed during this time B) Property tax collections decreased by $5 million C) Property tax collections increased by $1 million D) Property tax collections increased nearly $10 million
D) Property tax collections increased nearly $10 million
81) Texas school districts are heavily dependent on revenue from: A) Excise taxes B) Sales taxes C) Income taxes D) Property taxes
D) Property taxes
14) According to Texas water law and policies: A) Surface water and groundwater are both private property B) Surface water is private property and groundwater is publicly owned C) Surface water and groundwater are both publicly owned D) Surface water is publicly owned and groundwater is private property
D) Surface water is publicly owned and groundwater is private property
33) A "system of prohibitions, penalties, and correctional measures to deal with conduct that unjustifiably and inexcusably causes or threatens harm to those individual or public interests for which state protection is appropriate" describes: A) Texas Civil Law B) Texas Code of Criminal Procedures C) Texas Code of Conduct D) Texas Penal Code
D) Texas Penal Code
96) ________ refers to the items that are subject to taxation. A) Taxation without representation B) Real property C) Estates D) The tax base
D) The tax base
74) Goods where nonpayers can effectively be prevented from utilizing, but use does not reduce the benefit to other people are called: A) Pure public goods B) Social goods C) Common-pool goods D) Toll goods
D) Toll goods
99) A good is said to be nonexcludable if: A) Your enjoyment of that good doesn't diminish availability to others B) You can separate those who pay for the good from those who do not C) You must compete for the good D) You cannot practically prevent people from receiving it
D) You cannot practically prevent people from receiving it
Which of the following steps in the policy-making cycle occurs first? A) policy adoption B) policy implementation C) policy evaluation D) agenda setting
D) agenda setting
92) Which level of government is most heavily dependent on service charges and fees to finance their services? A) county B) state C) federal D) city
D) city
65) Examples of ____ law include divorces and child custody cases. A) contract B) property C) tort D) family
D) family
84) The greatest source of nontax revenue in Texas comes from A) interest income. B) lottery income. C) land income. D) fees, fines, licenses, and penalties.
D) fees, fines, licenses, and penalties.
69) Tax shifting could result in any of the following EXCEPT A) lower pay to workers. B) lower returns to investors. C) higher prices. D) higher profits to owners.
D) higher profits to owners.
15) Under the Affordable Care Act A) uninsured individuals get a tax rebate from the federal government. B) all patients must pay fees for all services. C) individuals aged 19-25 must obtain their own health insurance. D) insurance companies cannot deny coverage to people with preexisting conditions.
D) insurance companies cannot deny coverage to people with preexisting conditions.
94) According to Figure 13.2, which of the following categories of taxes contributed the least to the Texas treasury in 2014-2015? A) franchise B) motor vehicle sales and rental C) sales D) insurance occupation
D) insurance occupation
16) Who pays the largest part of the cost of K-12 education in Texas? A) the state government B) the federal government C) the county government D) local districts
D) local districts
50) This refers to the inherent power of the state to protect persons legally incapable of protecting themselves: A) habeas B) stare decis C) common law D) parens patriae
D) parens patriae
29) Free or reduced-fee legal representation is known as A) the Texas Bar Association's Lawyers Giving Back program. B) public defense. C) the Texas indigent client program. D) pro bono.
D) pro bono.
89) A sales tax, especially when food and medicine are subject to the tax, can be described as what type of tax? A) point of purchase B) business C) progressive D) regressive
D) regressive
43) Which burden of proof is used in criminal matters? A) "Beyond a reasonable doubt" B) "The average person" C) "Clear and present danger" D) "Preponderance of evidence"
A) "Beyond a reasonable doubt"
45) How many law enforcement personnel does Texas have per Citizen? A) 1 officer for every 400 residents B) 1 officer for every 4000 residents C) 1 officer for every 100 residents D) 1 officer for every 1000 residents
A) 1 officer for every 400 residents
30) Children under what age cannot be prosecuted for a crime in Texas? A) 10 B) 17 C) 13 D) 12
A) 10
53) The age of majority in Texas is: A) 17 B) 18 C) 21 D) 25
A) 17
55) The incarceration rate in Texas is ____ per 100,000. A) 400 B) 100 C) 524 D) 89
A) 400
36) About how many deaths occurred between 2005 and 2015 in city and county jails in Texas? A) Around 1,100 B) About 400 C) Approximately 2,000 D) Nearly 750
A) Around 1,100
95) The Texas lottery: A) Has seen declining revenue in recent years B) Was banned in 2012 C) Is one of the least successful lotteries in history D) Contributes a large portion of the state's total budget
A) Has seen declining revenue in recent years
28) What is one reason estimates of the cost of private prisons per inmate might not be accurate? A) Inmate medical care is paid for by the state of Texas B) While the facilities are privately run, employees are state employees C) Inmates must pay tuition, which is not calculated into the total cost D) Common estimates of the costs of private prison are, in fact, accurate
A) Inmate medical care is paid for by the state of Texas
6) Texas is considered a pro-business environment because: A) It promotes corporate subsidies B) It requires labor union membership C) It encourages collective bargaining D) Its courts are not friendly to plaintiffs who sue businesses
A) It promotes corporate subsidies
19) The ________ was established by the Texas Constitution of 1876 to support the University of Texas and Texas A&M University systems. A) Permanent University Fund B) Higher Education Assistance Fund C) Fund for Higher Education D) West Texas Land Grant Fund
A) Permanent University Fund
64) ____ refers to the rate criminal offenders commit crimes after they leave the state's custody. A) Recidivism B) Remainder C) Clash D) Penalty
A) Recidivism
48) Which Supreme Court decision barred the death sentence for juveniles? A) Roper v. Simmons B) Mountain View v. Texas C) Miller v. Alabama D) Morales v. Truman
A) Roper v. Simmons
13) A Robin Hood Plan: A) Takes money from rich school districts and distributes it to poor school districts B) Uses inheritance taxes to pay for welfare programs C) Requires larger companies to subsidize small businesses D) Provides healthcare for low-income families
A) Takes money from rich school districts and distributes it to poor school districts
24) In January 2016, legislation permitted open carry of firearms in Texas went into effect. A) True B) False
A) True
91) During the 1980s there were 10 special sessions of the Texas legislature to correct revenue shortfalls. What was the cause of these shortfalls? A) declining price of oil B) white flight to the suburbs C) inflation D) reduction in federal grants under President Reagan
A) declining price of oil
52) Texas's incarceration rate in 2014 was A) higher than most states. B) the highest in the country. C) lower than most other states. D) below average.
A) higher than most states.
25) The burden of paying for higher education has increasingly shifted from the taxpayer to: A) individual students and parents B) the Federal Government C) Legislators D) the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
A) individual students and parents
38) In Texas as elsewhere, the criminal justice system should serve three broad purposes such as: A) rehabilitation, deterrence, and punishment. B) redemption, punishment, and rehabilitation. C) punishment, deterrence, and redemption. D) rehabilitation, reconciliation, and retribution.
A) rehabilitation, deterrence, and punishment.
76) What is the primary source of revenue for state governments? A) taxes on citizens B) taxes on corporations C) service charges or fees D) federal grants
A) taxes on citizens