Texas Government FINAL
According to Texas Constitution (Article 3, Section 51a), Texas cannot spend more than _________ of the state budget in any two-year period to help needy dependent children or their caretakers. a. 1 percent b. 5 percent c. 15 percent d. 10 percent
A
Which agency is responsible for administering and coordinating the major welfare and antipoverty programs in Texas? a. Texas Health and Human Services Commission b. Texas Social Services Commission c. Texas Assistance Commission d. Texas Department of Health and Rehabilitation
A
The Permanent School Fund distributes money to school districts across the state based on what two factors? a. the number of schools in a district and student attendance b. student attendance and guaranteed bonds issued by local school boards c. the number of teachers and test scores d. teacher availability to student ratio and test scores
B
The ________ is a dedicated fund established by the constitution for the support of public education in the state. a. Permanent University Fund b. Available School Fund c. National Research University Fund d. state lottery
B
Water policy in Texas is based on a. federal law mandating all aspects of water use in Texas. b. a complicated system of private property rights. c. the fact that Texas has no major rivers, lakes, or aquifers. d. fear that Texas is in a permanent state of drought.
B
A ________ is a tax on the market value of oil produced in the state. a. general sales tax b. selective sales tax c. severance tax d. hidden tax
C
The Legislative Budget Board is chaired by a. the comptroller of public accounts. b. the governor. c. the lieutenant governor. d. the land commissioner.
C
Welfare reforms are measured along which two dimensions? a. the number of people receiving welfare and the crime rate b. waste and fraud within each welfare program c. the number of people on welfare and the success of getting people into the workforce d. the number of welfare recipients who continued receiving welfare benefits for more than five years versus those who received benefits for a shorter period of time
C
Which U.S. Supreme Court case overturned Plessy v. Ferguson, ruling that state-imposed segregation in schools isolated the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment? a. San Antonio v. Rodriguez b. Edge ISD v. Kirby c. Brown v. Board of Education d. Mendez v. Westminster
C
The debate over public education in Texas goes back to the a. Constitution of 1876. b. first decade of the twenty-first century. c. post-World War II era and the returning military service members. d. break with Mexico.
D
Why must the Texas legislature maintain a balanced budget? a. It is required by the U.S. Constitution. b. It is required by the Texas Constitution. c. Each legislative session decides to balance or not balance the state budget. d. The Texas Office of the Comptroller writes the state budget.
b. It is required by the Texas Constitution.
Texas ranks _________ in terms of state spending per capita, and it ranks _________ in terms of how much money it gets from the federal government per capita. a. low; high b. in the middle; in the middle c. high; low d. low; in the middle
A
Around three-quarters of individuals on Medicaid in Texas are a. between the ages of 18 and 45. b. under the age of 20. c. over the age of 65. d. under the age of 10.
B
In March 2010, Congress passed ________, substantially altering the nation's health care system. a. No Child Left Behind b. the Affordable Care Act c. the National Women's Health Act d. the Dream Act
B
Texas has _____ university systems. a. three b. six c. five d. four
B
How many major water reservoirs are currently in Texas? a. 53 b. 8 c. 188 d. 101
C
Which government entity administered and determined the benefit levels for Aid for Dependent Children, Old Age Assistance, and Aid for the Blind? a. federal b. local c. state d. County
C
Who pays the greatest portion of their income in property taxes? a. business owners b. wealthy homeowners and renters c. poor homeowners and renters d. Renters
C
________ is a non-dedicated revenue account and is the state's primary operating fund. a. The General Revenues Funds budget b. The General Revenue-Dedicated Funds budget c. The Federal Funds budget d. The Other Funds budget
a. The General Revenues Funds budget
Non-dedicated funds a. can be used for any purpose. b. can only be used for specific purposes. c. are exempt from the pay-as-you-go requirement. d. are provided by the federal government to the state.
a. can be used for any purpose.
Federal funds appropriated in Texas generally are a. widely disbursed across numerous state agencies. b. concentrated in one agency. c. concentrated in a few state agencies. d. determined at each annual legislative session.
c. concentrated in a few state agencies.
In 2016, approximately what percentage of Texans lived below the poverty line? a. 15 b. 21 c. 28 d. 10
A
The Economic Stabilization Fund is also known as the a. Rainy Day Fund. b. General Revenue Fund. c. Pay-As-You-Go Fund. d. Enterprise Fund.
A
Since policy-makers do not have enough time or resources to make a fully rational or optimal decision, they may therefore try to ______________. a. expunge b. rationalize c. satisfice d. Table
C
According to the Federal Highway Administration, 19 percent of the 53,000 bridges in Texas are rated as a. being "structurally deficient" or "functionally obsolete." b. being in "fair" or "poor" condition. c. having advanced safety features. d. being overused by too much traffic.
A
Although the use of toll roads allowed roads and highways to be built _________________, they are _________________. a. without raising taxes; very unpopular with voters b. quickly, often built using substandard materials c. without public funds, only built in areas where they will make a profit d. in areas with high levels of congestion, under the sole jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Transportation/Federal Highway Administration
A
Having a widespread public transportation system is challenging for Houston because a. the city has over 1,200 square miles of territory and it would be expensive to have bus or rail service for this large of an area. b. since the area is vulnerable to hurricanes, public infrastructure projects require much more costly insurance coverage. c. the Houston metro area spreads across multiple counties and there is not enough support from the regional council of governments to create the necessary regional transportation network. d. voters have repeatedly rejected bond initiatives needed to fund the building of public transportation infrastructure.
A
In order to become a naturalized citizen, you must a. have entered the United States legally, been a resident of the United States for at least 5 years, and be able to demonstrate good moral character, knowledge of American government, and a basic command of English. b. have at least one immediate family member who is already a U.S. citizen, been a resident of the United States for at least 10 years, and have working knowledge of both English and American government. c. be able to demonstrate that you have a marketable skill, be sponsored by an employer, have entered the United States legally, been a resident for at least 5 years, and be able to speak English. d. be able to demonstrate that you are employed, have been a resident of the United States for 10 years, have knowledge of U.S. government and history, and be fluent in English.
A
In terms of per capita spending on education, Texas a. ranks near the bottom in the country. b. ranks in the middle in the country. c. ranks near the top in the country. d. has always spent a consistent amount per student.
A
It is estimated that undocumented immigrants paid ___________ in state and local taxes in 2014. a. $1.6 billion b. $10 million c. less than $5 million d. $578 million
A
Seven states, including Texas, sued the federal government in May 2018 arguing that DACA was unconstitutional because a. it violated the separation of powers between the legislative and executive branches of government described in the U.S. Constitution. b. it violated the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. c. it violated the division of powers between the federal and state governments described in the U.S. Constitution. d. it violated powers granted to the president in Article III of the U.S. Constitution.
A
The Texas Groundwater Act is responsible for a. creating the system of water districts that manage the groundwater supply in Texas. b. managing water control and improvement districts in Texas. c. regulating access to and management of all sources of water in Texas. d. the creation of drainage, conservation, and reclamation districts in Texas.
A
The Texas Water Development Board is responsible for a. administering the Texas Water Bank. b. enforcing water-related environmental regulations. c. managing and conducting research related to water policy. d. coordinating with neighboring states and the federal government to share best practices related to water policy.
A
The Water Rights Adjudication Act created a. a unified permit system related to surface water and well-defined underground streams. b. a mechanism for landowners to dispute rulings by water districts that limited restricted pumping of groundwater on their property. c. a system for local governments to work with the Texas Water Development Board to ensure that the state water plan provides an equitable distribution of water throughout the state. d. a way to automatically transfer monies from the State Water Implementation Fund (SWIFT) to the State Water Implementation Revenue Fund (SWIRFT).
A
The term "dreamers" refers to individuals protected under which of the following? a. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals b. Development, Reform, Evaluation, and Modernization Program c. Refugee Resettlement and Assistance Program d. Advocates for Victims of Crime
A
When it was originally established, which institutions in Texas could receive funding from the Higher Education Fund (HEF)? a. The Texas State Technical College, universities, and health-related institutions that are not eligible for or included in PUF funding could get funding from the HEF. b. Any public college or university in Texas could receive funding from the HEF. c. Funding from the HEF would be restricted to public two-year colleges in Texas. d. Only colleges and universities that have an enrollment of over 8,000 could receive funding from the HEF.
A
When taking into consideration taxes on both gasoline and diesel, which of the following is true? a. Texans pay the lowest fuel taxes out of the ten largest states. b. Texans pay higher fuel taxes to make up for having no personal income tax. c. Texans pay lower fuel taxes because there is widespread public transportation system that needs to be subsidized. d. The amount of fuel taxes paid by Texans is at the national average.
A
Which argument is made by supporters of a physical wall separating the United States and Mexico? a. Immigration reform cannot be successful without a secure border, and the wall is the best way to secure the border. b. The United States is one of the only countries in the world that does not have a physical barrier separating itself from its neighbors. c. Physical barriers serve as a deterrent, and deterrence is the most successful long-term strategy to secure the border. d. Physical barriers are a cost-effective security measure, and will end up saving significant amounts of money over the lifetime of the barrier.
A
Which of the following educational reforms was passed during the 1995 legislative session? a. In certain circumstances, students in low-performing schools could transfer to high-performing schools in the same district. b. The TEAMS test replaced the TAAS test. c. Teachers were required to demonstrate proficiency in their field every 10 years. d. Students were required to complete end-of-course exams in 15 courses to graduate.
A
Which of the following was a goal of the Affordable Care Act of 2010? a. to increase access to health insurance coverage for people with preexisting conditions b. to create a single payer healthcare system across the United States c. to eliminate private insurance companies d. to ration expensive healthcare services in order to make healthcare more affordable for the country as a whole
A
Which program provides coverage for children in families with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid? a. Children's Health Insurance Program b. Federal Medical Assistance Program c. Affordable Care Act d. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
A
According to the Texas Dream Act, a. children who were brought to the United States illegally by their parents cannot be deported as long as they live with their parents. b. undocumented immigrants living in Texas have the ability to pay in-state tuition at public universities in Texas. c. undocumented immigrants living in Texas who arrived prior to age 15 are eligible to apply for permanent legal residency if they graduate from a Texas high school. d. the top 2.5 percent of each graduating class of Texas high schools will receive tuition waivers at public colleges and universities in Texas.
B
Dropout rates in Texas are a. about the same for all demographic groups. b. highest among Latinos and African Americans. c. highest among the Asian student population. d. lowest among minorities.
B
In the case of Edwards Aquifer Authority v. Burrell Day and Joel McDaniel (2012), farmers argued that a. the rights to the water in the aquifer were beyond the reach of the federal government because of a long-standing precedent dating back to Mexican common law. b. since they owned the land above the aquifer, they had rights to water within the aquifer. c. they had water rights because they had prior claim pursuant to Texas sovereignty under federalism. d. they had water rights based on the eminent domain doctrine of the federal Constitution.
B
The Constitution of 1876 created a Permanent University Fund (PUF) from the sale of what? a. livestock and other agricultural products b. certain public lands c. oil and natural gas exports d. exports of furniture and other manufactured goods
B
Which goal is presented in the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's strategic plan titled "60x30TX" that was released in 2015? a. Sixty percent of all students enrolled in all public colleges and universities in Texas will complete their degrees in at least 5 years by 2030. b. Sixty percent of Texans between the ages of 25 and 34 will have completed a certificate or degree by 2030. c. Sixty percent of all Texans will possess and be able to demonstrate "marketable skills" by 2030. d. Sixty percent of college graduates will complete their degree with no loan debt by 2030.
B
Which of the following accounts for both the length of the road and the width of the road, as indicated by the number of lanes? a. paved miles b. lane miles c. road miles d. official miles
B
Which public university in Texas can trace its origins to the Texas Constitution? a. Sam Houston State University b. Texas A&M University c. The University of North Texas d. The University of Houston
B
_______________ have recently been used to pay for maintenance and construction of roads and highways. a. Sales taxes on motor vehicles b. Tolls c. Vehicle registration fees d. Taxes on public transportation fares
B
As cars and trucks become more fuel efficient, a. they are becoming lighter, causing less wear and tear on the roads. b. fewer Texans rely on personal cars or trucks for their daily transportation needs. c. drivers are buying less gasoline, thereby reducing the amount of money collected by the state in fuel taxes. d. there is less of a need to explore alternative transportation solutions such as high-speed trains.
C
In 2018, the Trump administration announced a "zero tolerance" policy designed to deter people from crossing the southern border illegally. Which of the following was a consequence of this policy? a. Portions of the Texas National Guard were permanently "federalized" to implement the policy. b. Vacant schools have been leased by the federal government as temporary detention centers. c. the separation of minor children from their parents for extended periods of time d. A new division of the U.S. Border Patrol has been created to implement this policy.
C
In National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius (2012) the Supreme Court found that a. healthcare should be regulated by the state governments. b. employers must provide contraception coverage in the insurance plans offered to their employees. c. states could not be forced to expand their Medicaid programs. d. small businesses should be allowed to join together to offer association health care plans.
C
More than one-half of the water used in Texas comes from a. ocean desalinization plants. b. lakes and streams. c. aquifers. d. rainwater collected in holding ponds.
C
Part of the opposition to the high-speed train project a. is due to the large tax breaks the train company will get. b. is due to the unknown nature of the bullet train technology. c. is due to rural landowners not wanting to sell their land to the state to improve the travel capabilities of urban dwellers. d. is based on a concern about which cities it connects, and that the train should go to different destinations.
C
The 2012 State Water Plan discussed strategies to address both the short- and long-term water needs in Texas including a. raising the tax on water to encourage conservation efforts and statewide water restrictions. b. importing more water from surrounding states where water is more plentiful and encouraging more citizens to dig their own wells. c. a focus on conservation and expanding and developing available surface water. d. requesting federal funding to develop massive desalinization plants along the Gulf Coast and laws restricting the construction of in-ground pools.
C
The first publicly supported junior college in Texas was established in a. 1878. b. 1900. c. 1922. d. 1945.
C
The largest source of funding for roads and highways on Texas comes from a. user fees to use toll roads. b. vehicle registration fees. c. taxes on motor fuels. d. federal grants.
C
The law of capture, as it pertains to water policy in Texas, essentially means that a. the state owns the water rights because it is sovereign over Texas residents. b. the federal government has the right to capture water in Texas because of the supremacy clause in the federal Constitution. c. the first person to capture the water by pumping it out of the ground owns it. d. the state can capture and tax any business that uses state water without reporting usage statistics to the state water board.
C
What is the State of Texas Access Reform (STAR) program? a. a program managed by the Texas Education Association to provide guidance to school districts regarding improving student performance b. a program established by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to assist those on public assistance find employment opportunities c. a managed care program run by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to provide health care to poor populations in various parts of Texas d. an agency that has been created to ensure that the policy-making cycle is fully completed to ensure any policy made is given legitimacy
C
Which agency is responsible for developing a standardizing core curriculum used at all public colleges and universities in Texas? a. Texas State Board of Education b. Texas Department of Education c. Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board d. Texas Commission on Higher Education
C
a. national defense purposes. b. home consumption by households. c. irrigation. d. additional water supplies for neighboring states.
C
Responding to the Supreme Court decision on national health care legislation of 2010, Governor Perry announced that a. Texas agreed with the Supreme Court's decision. b. Texas would increase funding for Medicaid by borrowing substantial sums of money on Wall Street. c. the Texas legislature would happily increase taxes to fund the expanded Medicaid program. d. Texas would refuse to participate in the expanded Medicaid program.
D
Texas determines which children are eligible for reduced-price or free lunch at school based on a. the tax rates assessed by each county designated for non-instructional educational funding. b. guidelines presented by the LBB before the biennial budget is passed by the legislature. c. the proportion of students living in poverty in the school district. d. federal poverty guidelines.
D
The generally accepted standard by which poverty is measured in the United States is the a. U.S. Department of Labor unemployment index. b. U.S. Department of Agriculture caloric intake index. c. U.S. Treasury index of income inequality. d. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services poverty index.
D
The Available School Fund, the State Instructional Materials Fund, and the Foundation School Fund are parts of which category of the Texas budget? a. General Revenue Funds b. General Revenue-Dedicated Fund c. Federal Funds d. Other Funds
a. General Revenue Funds
Which statement about the Texas budget is true? a. It covers a two-year period. b. It can include deficit financing from some government operations. c. It is impossible to run a budget surplus. d. It allows the Highway Trust Fund to be used for education during economic recessions.
a. It covers a two-year period.
Federal money is an important part of the Texas budget, but monies that Texas receives from the federal government a. often come with strings attached. b. are usually categorical grants with no federal guidelines or mandates whatsoever. c. are too insignificant to be included in the state budgetary process. d. are usually not received in time to affect the budget process.
a. often come with strings attached.
Texas has a reputation of being a ________ state. a. "low service, high tax" b. "low service, low tax" c. "no services, low tax" d. "high service, high tax"
b. "low service, low tax"
________ budget is comprised of funds for dedicated revenues that target money for specific purposes. a. General Revenues Fund b. General Revenue-Dedicated Funds c. Federal Funds d. Rainy Day Funds
b. General Revenue-Dedicated Funds
Due to the structure of the budget and the constitutional requirement to balance the budget, a. legislators are given a great amount of flexibility in terms of the budgeting process. b. legislators have only a few choices in terms of the budgeting process. c. the budget is easy to forecast each session. d. legislators generally raise taxes frequently to be able to increase the services offered by the state.
b. legislators have only a few choices in terms of the budgeting process.
When thinking about the system of public financing through these various budgets and funds, it is important to remember that a. personal income taxes are the largest source of funding for the state. b. the legislature does not have direct control of most of the money in the state budget. c. the legislature has a good amount of flexibility in terms of how money in the different funds can be spent. d. federal expenditures are determined by the state legislature.
b. the legislature does not have direct control of most of the money in the state budget.
Most federal expenditures in Texas go to education and health and human services. However, in order to receive these funds, Texas must a. allow the federal government to manage these programs. b. coordinate efforts with neighboring states to achieve economies of scale. c. implement progressive taxes in order to generate more revenue. d. spend state money in these areas first.
d. spend state money in these areas first.
Authorized by voters in 1991, the Texas state lottery generates a sizeable sum for the state budget. Which of the following statements regarding the Texas lottery is true? a. The lottery is played almost entirely by poor people. b. The lottery is played almost entirely by the wealthy. c. The lottery is played by large numbers of people from all social classes. d. All Texans unanimously support the lottery.
C
The term _____________ refers to the expressed goals of a government institution, supported by either punishments or rewards. a. legislative enactment b. policy review c. rational policy-making d. public policy
D
What is the argument commonly used by supporters of a state income tax? a. It will probably be quite regressive. b. It is a fairer but highly unreliable source of revenue. c. It makes Texas more attractive to businesses that are considering relocating from out of state. d. It is a fair and more reliable source of revenue.
D
Charter schools are funded by a. state monies and sometimes privately raised funds. b. a combination of public funds and tuition payments. c. tuition payments made by parents of students attending the schools. d. a combination of tuition payments and work study agreements.
A
How do policy-makers define poverty? a. when an individual or family does not have the resources necessary to meet their basic needs including food, shelter, health care, transportation, and clothing b. when an individual or family does not have the resources necessary to meet their survival needs including food and water c. when an individual or family does not have the resources necessary to meet their fundamental needs including food, shelter, and clothing d. when an individual or family does not have the resources necessary to meet their vital needs including food, water, and shelter
A
In 2018, approximately how many students were enrolled in public schools in Texas? a. 5 million b. 3 million c. 8 million d. 1 million
A
In Texas, the state and local governments can both levy sales taxes. These general state and local sales taxes can combine to reach a rate of _________ percent. a. 8.25 b. 7.15 c. 9.50 d. 6.25
A
In an attempt to stem the rising tide of illegitimacy rates and single-parent families among the poor, which act mandated two-parent coverage for all state AFDC programs? a. the Family Support Act in 1988 b. the Supplemental Security Income c. the Affordable Care Act d. Temporary Assistance to Needy Families
A
In the 1960s, welfare policy in Texas reflected a. a policy of minimizing the cost to Texas while maximizing the use of federal dollars. b. a policy of maximizing welfare benefits paid by the state of Texas. c. very generous state-funded benefits. d. noncompliance with all federal welfare programs.
A
In the 2017 legislative session, a. legislation was passed that would grade schools on three dimensions: student progress, student achievement, and a "closing the gaps" measure. b. teacher pay was increased by statuary formula to include biannual cost of living raises. c. the "no pass, no play" rule was eliminated for nonathletic extracurricular activities. d. legislation was passed requiring the STAAR test in only nine courses.
A
Insurance occupation taxes are levied on a. insurance premiums. b. the cost of insurance licensing exams. c. the salaries of insurance brokers d. insurance benefits paid to claimants.
A
One significant component of the budget process that is relatively unique to Texas is a. the constitutional mandate that Texas legislators write a budget every two years. b. the constitutional mandate that Texas legislators allocate at least 50 percent of the budget toward health care. c. a federal budget cycle that complicates the state budgeting process. d. the unpredictability of natural disaster funding.
A
Overall, the tax system in Texas is generally considered to be regressive, which means that a. the tax burden consumes a greater percentage of income received by lower-income individuals. b. the tax burden consumes a greater percentage of the income earned by higher-income individuals. c. everybody pays the same percent of his or her income in taxes. d. the more income one has, the larger the percentage of it that goes to pay taxes.
A
Supporters of vouchers argue that ____________________________; while opponents argue that ___________________________. a. if parents do not think a public school is working for their child, they should be able to send their child to a private school and take their funding with them; vouchers will drain money from public schools and leave only poorer children in these schools. b. they will encourage highly qualified teachers to come to Texas because they offer better pay; the vouchers will create an unsustainable situation because they require a very low student-to-teacher ratio. c. they are the most cost-efficient way for the state to be in compliance with the regulations imposed by the No Child Left Behind Act; they are an expensive unfunded mandate forced upon the state by the federal government. d. they are essential to ensure that all Texans can attend the college or university of their choice; they end up driving up the cost of attendance for all students.
A
The purpose of the Biennial Revenue Estimate is to provide a. a detailed forecast of total revenues that the state is expected to take in over the next biennium. b. a detailed forecast of expenditures the state expects to be obligated for in the two-year budget cycle. c. a detailed forecast of the estimated federal funds the state can expect to receive during the two-year budget cycle. d. the governor a detailed estimate of the likelihood of a balanced budget during the two-year budget cycle.
A
Under the Gilmer-Aikin Laws, a. the State Board of Education was established to supervise public education in Texas. b. the State Board of Education was abolished for being redundant and in competition with the federal Department of Education. c. the Religious Antidiscrimination Act was repealed. d. the State Board of Education members are appointed, not elected.
A
Community colleges are supported in part by ___________________. a. local tax dollars b. dedicated funding from the Permanent College Fund c. dedicated funding from the Higher Education Fund d. dedicated funding from the Texas Educational Fund
A
How are tuition and fee schedules set at public universities in Texas? a. University presidents submit requests to their system's Board of Regents who set the tuition and fee schedules. b. The Texas Legislature sets the tuition and fee schedules based on requests submitted by university presidents. c. University presidents set the tuition and fee schedules based on the needs of their individual campuses. d. Voters approve tuition and fee schedules every other year after they are proposed by the legislature during the regular legislative sessions.
A
In 2013, voters in Texas approved a constitutional amendment that dealt with water policy. What was included in this amendment? a. The voters approved the creation of a dedicated water fund, known as the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT), through a transfer of $2 billion from the Rainy Day Fund. b. The voters formalized the "Law of Capture" as part of the Texas Constitution. c. The voters approved the addition of a new article to the Texas Constitution dedicated to water policy, similar to the sections of the Constitution that deal with education and public lands. d. The voters formalized access to clean water as a basic right that is included in the Texas Bill of Rights.
A
Many sheriffs opposed SB 4 because a. they feared it would lead to people underreporting crimes. b. they believed that it would undermine cooperation between state and federal law enforcement agencies. c. they thought that it gave local governments too much power over law enforcement issues. d. it would encourage further illegal immigration into Texas.
A
Monies from the Available University Fund (AUF) can be used for which of the following purposes? a. to guarantee a bond issued by the University of Texas System to build a new dormitory on the campus of one of its system schools b. to pay for operational costs of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board c. to supplement financial aid offers made to students enrolled in the Toward Excellence Access and Success Grant Program (TEXAS Grant) d. to pay for operational expenses on the campus of any public university in the state
A
The high-speed bullet train project currently under development would connect which two cities in Texas? a. Houston and Dallas b. Houston and Austin c. Austin and Dallas d. Dallas and San Antonio
A
What happens if members of the Texas National Guard who are deployed at the border see someone illegally crossing the border? a. They have to notify the Border Patrol to make the arrest. The Texas National Guard is part of the military, and members of the military cannot generally arrest anyone. b. They are allowed to detain the individual for no more than 36 hours before transferring custody to federal officials. The Texas National Guard has a custodial arrangement with federal law enforcement agencies. c. They catch the individual and then release the individual on the other side of the border. The Texas National Guard is responsible for implementing the program known as "catch and release." d. They issue an audible warning to stop, and if the individual does not stop, they have permission to use force. There are signs posted along the border that it is a live fire area.
A
Which of the following is the measurement of the total length of a road or a segment of a road? a. centerline miles b. lane miles c. vehicle miles d. road distance
A
What are sanctuary cities? a. parts of Texas where undocumented immigrants are given special treatment by local officials b. localities where sheriffs do not notify federal immigration authorities when undocumented immigrants are arrested c. a special type of general law city d. parts of Texas where regulations regarding mandatory vaccinations for children do not apply
B
Why did Texas build reservoirs through the state? a. They are more cost effective than drilling into aquifers for general water use. b. They are the best tools available for effective water treatment. c. They are used help control flooding and to better distribute water during droughts. d. They are used primarily to recharge aquifers.
C
What happens if money needs to be transferred from one agency to another and the legislature is not in session to authorize this transfer? a. The governor can propose the transfer and the LBB can approve the proposal. b. The governor has to call a special session of the legislature to solve this problem. c. The agency receiving the money will have the funds debited from its budget in the next state budget, and the agency giving the money will have the funds credited to its budget in the next state budget. d. The comptroller of public accounts can authorize the transfer.
A
Which of the following made it unlikely that Texas will enact a personal income tax in the near future? a. The Texas Constitution was amended in the 1990s to require that the voters approve of the creation of a state income tax, and that any money generated from it be used to support public education. b. The Texas Constitution explicitly prohibits a personal income tax, and does not include any provision for creating a personal income tax. c. The Texas Supreme Court ruled that the personal income tax that had been in place previously violated the Texas Constitution. Once a law has been declared unconstitutional by the Texas Supreme Court, it cannot be reintroduced. d. The creation of any new forms of revenue, including a personal income tax, would require the support of three-fourths of both chambers of the legislature. In the current partisan polarized environment, it is nearly impossible to reach this threshold.
A
________ refers to the idea that policy-makers have formulated and implemented policy that addresses problems in an optimal or efficient manner. a. Rationality b. Bounded rationality c. Policy accountability d. Systemic agenda
A
_________________ occurs when public policies are reviewed to determine if they are effectively meeting their goals. a. Evaluation b. Assessment c. Implementation d. Program review
A
Compared to other states, Texas tends to spend a relatively small amount of money on programs that are jointly funded by the state and federal governments. Because of this, a. Texas is ineligible for any matching funds because they are distributed only to the largest contributors. b. the amount of money that Texas receives in matching funds and grants from the federal government is relatively low as compared to other states. c. Texas receives a higher than average amount of money from the federal government in grants and matching funds compared to other states. d. Texas shares a pool of funds with other states that are designated as "low-level" contributors.
B
During the 1980s, a growing number of critics alleged that welfare programs a. had nearly eliminated poverty. b. were helping to create a dysfunctional underclass of people who depended upon them for survival. c. were being abused, mostly by the wealthy. d. benefited only the middle class at the expense of the poorer class.
B
Federal matching funds are a. state monies going to support the federal government in its efforts to reduce the deficit. b. monies going to a state based on a state spending for a program. c. always distributed to states without any strings attached. d. only awarded to states that have an income tax.
B
In 1949, which law increased state funding and established the Texas Education Agency (TEA), which carries out the state's educational program? a. No Child Left Behind b. Gilmer-Aikin Laws c. Top 10 Percent Plan d. Texas Educational Framework
B
In 1978, the Texas Constitution was amended (Article 8, Section 22), so that if the economy of the state shrinks, a. appropriations can stay the same, as long as the budget balances. b. appropriations have to shrink as well. c. appropriations have to increase to stimulate the economy. d. the comptroller and the governor have the sole authority to decide how to deal with this kind of economic issue.
B
In Edgewood ISD v. Kirby, the key constitutional issue was a. whether the Brown v. Board of Education decision applied to Texas students. b. whether the phrase "an efficient system of free public schools" included school financing. c. de facto segregation. d. the continuing effects of Roe v. Wade on public education.
B
In the 1973 San Antonio v. Rodriguez case, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that states such as Texas a. are required to subsidize poorer school districts under the equal protection clause. b. are not required to subsidize poorer school districts under the equal protection clause. c. are required to equalize funding to public and private schools. d. are not required to subsidize wealthy school districts under the equal protection clause.
B
In theory, Texas has a dual-budget system, meaning the budget authority is shared by the governor and the legislature; however, in practice, the primary player(s) in the budget is/are a. the governor. b. the legislature. c. the taxpayers. d. special interests.
B
One of the controversies arising out of the Medicaid Women's Health Program in Texas involved a. religious restrictions imposed upon welfare recipients. b. state monies being used to subsidize groups supporting abortion. c. the funding for having a child in state clinics paid for by Texas taxpayers who were opposed to the procedure. d. health care for poor, unwed mothers.
B
Since the late 1960s, de facto segregation a. has been completely eliminated. b. continues to be a problem, particularly in urban public schools with large minority populations. c. has been ruled illegal and, therefore, is no longer an issue in public education. d. has resulted in all federal funds being withheld from the public schools in Texas.
B
The main purpose of the Permanent School Fund is to a. buy textbooks for Texas children. b. fund primary and secondary schools in the state. c. fund universities and community colleges in the state. d. fund the two main universities in Texas: the University of Texas and Texas A&M.
B
The origins of modern welfare policy lie in a. the post-Civil War Reconstruction era. b. President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal. c. President Truman's post-World War II reforms. d. President Lyndon Johnson's Great Society programs.
B
What determines the amount of tax revenue generated from oil and natural gas produced in Texas? a. the minimum wage and unemployment rate b. market price and the amount produced c. federal regulations and excise taxes imposed by the federal government d. pipeline construction and environmental issues
B
What is the most important single tax financing Texas government? a. income b. sales c. property d. Gasoline
B
Which of the following helps explain why the push to use testing and accountability as tools to reform the educational system in Texas was successful? a. the influence of teachers in the political culture of Texas b. the influence of business groups in the political culture of Texas c. the influence of parents in the political culture of Texas d. the influence of dual federalism—these steps were required by the federal government
B
Which of the following is a step in the policy-making process? a. agenda setting b. policy evaluation c. agenda formulation d. agenda identification
B
Which of the following steps in the policy-making cycle occurs first? a. formulation b. problem identification c. evaluation d. agenda setting
B
While the Texas Constitution does require that the state maintains a balanced budget, the state is allowed to carry debt as long as the debt service payments a. are approved by the comptroller, governor, and LBB. b. are not more than 5 percent of the state's revenue. c. are automatically paid first to ensure that the state does not default. d. are paid from a distinct fund kept separate from monies needed for essential functions.
B
________ refers to the idea that policy will be developed that will maximize the output of government with a minimum commitment of resources. a. Systemic agenda b. Optimality c. Individual rationality d. Legitimation
B
A consequence of Article 3, Section 49a of the Texas Constitution, also known as the pay-as-you-go limit, is that a. the dedicated funds are mandated in the constitution and cannot be altered. b. there is a specific margin of error allowed in the budgeting process. c. the plural executive has a significant influence in the budgeting process. d. since taxes are paid into the state on a yearly basis, the legislature is able to set an annual budget.
C
Among the most important findings of the 1983 report A Nation at Risk were that a. graduation rates were improving and dropout rates were increasing. b. dropout rates were increasing and test scores were improving. c. test scores were declining and functional illiteracy was increasing. d. functional illiteracy was decreasing and test scores were improving.
C
Federal money for Medicaid programs a. comes to the states as a block grant without any significant restrictions. b. is tied to the number of adults on the welfare rolls in order to reduce the cost of program redundancy. c. is accompanied by federal rules and regulations, which states must comply with to maintain federal funding of the program. d. is administered automatically by the federal government to avoid punishing program recipients.
C
If there is a budget deficit during the biennium, money can be used from the Economic Stabilization Fund a. at the request of the comptroller of public accounts and with the approval of the governor. b. only once every ten years. c. with the approval of three-fifths of the members of both the Texas House and Texas Senate. d. with the approval of the state treasurer and the governor.
C
In 2016, the Texas Supreme Court held that the existing system for funding public schools met the minimum constitutional provisions for a. fairness. b. efficiency. c. general diffusion of knowledge d. acceptability.
C
In Brown v. Board of Education, segregated school districts were ordered to a. double the funding for African American integrated schools. b. desegregate their schools within the next 10 years. c. desegregate their schools "with all deliberate speed." d. appoint a commission to study the Texas school system and make recommendations to the governor.
C
It is through what process that the legislature legally authorizes a government agency or body to spend up to a particular amount of money? a. state spending b. revenue bonds c. appropriations d. general obligation bonds
C
Next to revenue generated by state taxes, the second-largest source of state revenue comes from a. the Texas lottery. b. gasoline taxes. c. the federal government. d. borrowing.
C
Texas spending on a per capita basis is a. about even with the national average. b. much higher than the national average. c. much lower than the national average. d. among the highest, particularly in education.
C
The Permanent School Fund is managed primarily by what entity? a. the governor b. the Texas Higher Coordinating Board c. the State Board of Education d. a Blue Ribbon Committee on Education
C
The three main issues that have shaped education policy in Texas over the last 50 years have been a. income taxes, federal regulation, and teachers' salaries. b. labor unions, civil rights, and school district lines. c. funding, desegregation, and educational excellence. d. desegregation, access to the Internet, and urbanization.
C
Under the separate but equal doctrine in the 1920s and 1930s, the amount of money Texas spent on black students was ________ the amount spent on white students in public schools. a. the same as b. much higher than c. lower than d. rapidly catching up to
C
Unless legally exempt, in order to receive benefits through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, recipients must a. agree to repay the money after they gain employment, since it is a federal loan. b. not accept any other form of government assistance, including Medicaid. c. make sure their children go to school, participate in an employment services program, attend parenting classes, get their children vaccinated, and agree not to use drugs or alcohol. d. register to vote, attend any jury summons sent, and fulfill all civic duties requested of them by the state and county.
C
Which of the following is at the heart of the budget process in Texas? a. the Permanent University Fund b. the Texas Higher Education Coordination Board c. the Texas comptroller d. the Texas Education Commission
C
Which of the following occurred during the 2017 legislative session? a. The legislature passed a law requiring that the state boost per capita spending on education to remain ahead of inflation. b. The legislature introduced new requirements mandating additional training post-bachelor's degree to receive a permanent teaching certificate. c. The legislature shifted more of the responsibility for education funding onto local governments. d. The legislature proposed the creation of a new dedicated budget fund for capital improvements for school districts.
C
________ calls for wealthy districts to transfer funds to poorer districts in order to equalize funds available to all public schools across the state. a. The equalization plan b. The Edgewood IV plan c. The Robin Hood plan d. Senate Bill 7
C
In 1965, Congress created the Medicaid program, a state-federal program, to a. direct cash payments to citizens living in poverty. b. provide welfare benefits to the general public regardless of income. c. assist Texans with their prescription medications. d. provide health care for the poor.
D
In addition to federal monies, which two other sources in recent years have had a major impact on monies flowing into the state budget? a. the alcoholic beverage tax and utility tax b. the inheritance tax and hotel tax c. the cigarette and tobacco taxes and motor fuel tax d. the state lottery and the settlement the state reached with tobacco companies
D
One effective way to improve public education in Texas that a majority of Democrats, Republicans, and Tea Party supporters would accept is a. literacy tests for teachers. b. issuing vouchers. c. reducing the number of required end-of-course tests from 15 to 5. d. increasing pay for teachers.
D
Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) a. invalidated state-imposed racial segregation in Texas. b. validated the election of State Board of Education members. c. overturned the Brown v. Board of Education U.S. Supreme Court case of 1954. d. validated state-imposed racial segregation in Texas public schools.
D
The National Research University Fund was established through a constitutional amendment to provide a source of funding for a. community colleges in poorly performing districts. b. community colleges in primarily minority districts. c. independent school districts that sought to reduce the dropout rate. d. universities seeking to achieve national prominence as research institutions.
D
The Robin Hood plan was found unconstitutional because it required a. approval from school superintendents and teachers. b. approval from the school board and voters. c. approval from individual cities. d. local voter approval of property tax levies and it prohibited a state property tax.
D
The Select Committee on Public Education (SCOPE) presented 140 recommendations to the legislature in 1984, including one known as "no pass, no play" which stated that a. students who did not pass more than one class with a grade of 70 could not participate in extracurricular activities for the next three weeks, but could still attend athletic practices. b. students who did not pass a class with a grade of 70 could not participate in athletic/sports activities for the next six-week grading period. c. students who did not pass a class with a grade of 70 were required to attend after school tutoring sessions. d. students who did not pass a class with a grade of 70 could not participate in extracurricular activities for the next six-week grading period.
D
When you pay your motor vehicle registration fees, the money goes into which fund? a. User Fee Fund b. Department of Motor Vehicles Fund c. Road Maintenance Fund d. State Highway Fund
D
Which of the following categories of taxes contributes most to the Texas treasury? a. oil and natural gas production b. franchise c. motor vehicle sales and rentals d. Sales
D
Which of the following in the policy-making cycle occurs last? a. policy adoption b. policy implementation c. problem identification d. policy evaluation
D
Which of the following is a challenge facing education policy in Texas? a. high level of public spending per pupil b. low dropout rates c. high teenage pregnancy rates among Hispanic students d. changing demographics of students enrolled in Texas schools
D
