Texas GOVT Review 1
Political Action Committees or PACs engage in activities such as A) raising and utilizing money for campaign activities. B) developing pieces of legislation. C) covering candidates for media outlets. D) appointing candidates to public office.
A) raising and utilizing money for campaign activities.
The main source of revenue for the State of Texas is: A) sales taxes B) franchise taxes C) tobacco taxes D) our personal income tax.
A) sales taxes
Under the Texas constitution, the power to set the budget resides with _______ A) the legislature. B) the judiciary. C) the governor. D) the bureaucracy.
A) the legislature.
One of the primary political goals for Reconstruction was A) to restore law and order to a society recovering from war. B) to undermine the economy in the southern states. C) to allow Northern states to be readmitted to the Union. D) to reintroduce slavery, in a limited way, in several southern states.
A) to restore law and order to a society recovering from war.
Texas is considered a _______ state. A) traditionalistic B) individualistic C) moralistic D) mercantilistic
A) traditionalistic
The Texas Senate has ____ members and the Texas House has _____ members. A) 150, 25 B) 350, 435 C) 31, 150 D) 30, 42
C) 31, 150
As of 2019, Hispanics made up about ___ percent of the state's population. A) 27.9 B) 14.3 C) 39.6 D) 52.3
C) 39.6
Texas Senators are elected for ___ year terms and Texas House members are elected for ______ year terms A) 6, 2 B) 5, 4 C) 4, 2 D) 4, 3
C) 4, 2
How many Hispanic legislators served in the Texas legislature in 2015? A) 17 B) 49 C) 41 D) 37
C) 41
What percentage of the Texas Senate is usually elected during a presidential election year? A) 33 percent B) 25 percent C) 50 percent D) 100 percent
C) 50 percent
A Texas Senator represents about _______ constituents? A) 654,000 B) 700,000 C) 935,000 D) 1 million
C) 935,000
Aside from Miriam Ferguson, Texas had had only one other female governor: A) Lurleen Wallace. B) Wendy Davis. C) Ann Richards. D) Eva Guzman
C) Ann Richards.
The current speaker of the Texas House is: A) Jerry King. B) Greg Abbott. C) Dade Phelan. D) Dan Patrick.
C) Dade Phelan.
Why is it very difficult to hold a specific person in Texas government responsible for anything? A) The state constitution shields all government employees from responsibility for public actions and policies. B) The media in Texas do a very poor job at investigating wrongdoing in government. C) Government is fragmented and policy responsibility is divided. D) Most officials usually cite the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution and refuse to say anything that could incriminate them.
C) Government is fragmented and policy responsibility is divided.
Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution contains this statement? "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." A) Ninth B) Eleventh C) Tenth D)Twelfth
C) Tenth
All members of the Texas Legislature make _____ plus $221 per day while in session. A) $125,000 B) $55,000 C) $28,200 D) $7,200
D) $7,200
How many states, including Texas, do not limit how long a person can serve as governor? A) 16 B) 10 C) 12 D) 14
D) 14
The Texas Legislature meets every other year for ____ days. A) 200 B) 160 C) 45 D) 140
D) 140
Texas ranks _____ among the 50 state in total patents granted in 2015. A) 1st B) 4th C) 3rd D) 2nd
D) 2nd
After World War I, the Supreme Court required states to adhere to basic protections in the Bill of Rights through the use of clauses in the Amendment. A) Tenth B) Eleventh C) Eighteenth D) Fourteenth
D) Fourteenth
What office was created under the 1836 constitution to administer state-owned land? A) Texas Land Board B) Texas Department of Agriculture C) Texas Bureau of Land Management D) General Land Office
D) General Land Office
Which of the following statements about reapportionment is NOT accurate? A) It may cause a state to gain or lose congressional representatives. B) It is based on the federal census. C) It occurs every 10 years. D) It redraws the congressional district boundaries within the state.
D) It redraws the congressional district boundaries within the state.
Which former governor was President George H. W. Bush's chief of staff? A) Post Malone B) Greg Abbott C) Miriam Ferguson D) John Sununu
D) John Sununu
Which state pays its governor the lowest salary? A) Texas B) Nevada C) Arizona D) Maine
D) Maine
Who was the first Texas governor to be elected to three consecutive four-year terms? A) George W. Bush B) Bill Clements C) Dolph Briscoe D) Rick Perry
D) Rick Perry
Who won the battle that led to the independence of Texas from Mexico? A) Steve Austin B) General Santa Anna C) James Fannin D) Sam Houston
D) Sam Houston
Which of the following is NOT a power of the Texas legislature? A) propose constitutional amendments B) propose laws C) oversight of state agencies D) appoint judges
D) appoint judges
Which executive-level office serves as legal counsel to the governor, the legislature, and state agencies? A) commissioner of the General Land Office B) comptroller of public accounts C) commissioner of agriculture D) attorney general
D) attorney general
A state legislature that uses part-time, lower-paid legislators operating under biennial sessions and low staff resources could be said to A) need greater citizen legislature participation. B) be a trustee legislature. C) be a delegate legislature. D) be less professional.
D) be less professional.
Which region of the state is known primarily for its production of citrus fruits and vegetables? A) plains region B) Gulf Coast region C) central corridor D) border area of South Texas and Rio Grande Valley
D) border area of South Texas and Rio Grande Valley
The system that provides for a sharing of powers between the national government and the state governments is known as A) separation of powers. . B) confederal. C) teamwork. D) federalism
D) federalism
The governor of Texas's salary is about ________ per year. A) $150,000 B) $70,000 C) $90,000 D) $179,000
A) $150,000
A Texas House member represents about _______ constituents? A) 193,000 B) 250,000 C) 100,000 D) 167,000
A) 193,000
There are over _____ words in the Texas Constitution. A) 92,000 B) 100,000 C) 99,000 D) 150,000
A) 92,000
About 3 in 4 Texans identify themselves as _______________. A) Christians B) Catholic C) Mormon D) unaffiliated individuals
A) Christians
What was the result of a bill introduced in 1999 calling for a general revision of the Texas Constitution? A) It died in committee. B) It was defeated in a floor vote. C) It was inadvertently placed on the wrong calendar and was ignored. D) It was not approved by the citizens.
A) It died in committee.
Which of the following states has the lowest proportion of women in its legislature? A) North Dakota B) North Carolina C) Alaska D) Kansas
A) North Dakota
Which of the following states does NOT have a process for impeachment? A) Oregon B) California C) Georgia D) Texas
A) Oregon
What is a reason that state constitutions are amended more frequently than the U.S. Constitution? A) State constitutions deal with a wider range of functions. B) Voter initiatives have a higher rate of approval than those amendments proposed by state legislatures. C) The legislature can approve state constitutional amendments. D) The U.S. Constitution has built-in limits.
A) State constitutions deal with a wider range of functions.
Which of the following is a state power and NOT a national power? A) provide education B) coin money C) declare war D) regulate armed forces
A) provide education
What BEST explains why Texas turned from a Democratic stronghold in the 1930s to a Republican stronghold in the 2000s? A) The Democratic Party become more liberal over time. B) The Democratic Party paid little attention to recruiting strong candidates for political office. C) The national Democratic Party just assumed it would always control Texas. D) Texans, on average, become more conservative over time.
A) The Democratic Party become more liberal over time.
The Texas governor gains strength from his or her ability to A) be continually reelected. B) appoint the other executive officers. C) remove individuals appointed by the previous governor. D) exert powerful control over the budget.
A) be continually reelected.
Which executive-level officer promotes agricultural products and production? A) commissioner of agriculture B) comptroller of public accounts C) commissioner of the General Land Office D) attorney general
A) commissioner of agriculture
Which executive-level officer administers state-owned land and protects the environmental quality of coastal lands? A) commissioner of the General Land Office B) attorney general C) comptroller of public accounts D) commissioner of agriculture
A) commissioner of the General Land Office
Federal-state relations between the Great Depression and the 1960s are best described as A) cooperative federalism. B) creative federalism. C) dual federalism. D) a confederacy.
A) cooperative federalism.
What does the Texas Constitution contain that the U.S. Constitution does not? A) equal rights amendment B) legislative member qualifications C) Bill of Rights D) separation of powers
A) equal rights amendment
In Texas, the lieutenant governor: A) is elected separately from the governor but succeeds the governor should the office be vacated. B) is elected jointly with the governor and therefore succeeds the governor should the office be vacated. C) is appointed by the governor and succeeds the governor should the office be vacated. D) is appointed by the governor and thus cannot succeed the governor should the office be vacated.
A) is elected separately from the governor but succeeds the governor should the office be vacated.
Approximately 1/3 of Texas legislators are: A) lawyers B) 28 years old C) women D) schoolteachers
A) lawyers
What is one power that the Texas legislature enjoys? A) power to impeach judges B) call special sessions C) veto power D) interpreting the law
A) power to impeach judges
What is one power that the Texas Legislature does enjoy? A) propose laws B) interpret the law C) power of appointment D) call special sessions
A) propose laws
In addition to a preamble and appendix, how many articles are contained in the Texas Constitution? A) 27 B) 17 C) 776 D) 10
B) 17
Texas was admitted into the Union in: A) 1830 B) 1845 C) 1860 D) 1898
B) 1845
Prior to the election of George W. Bush to the presidency, when was the last time a Texas governor had gone on to higher elected office? A) 1962 B) 1941 C) 1992 D) 1977
B) 1941
As a result of the 2010 Census, Texas was awarded ___ more seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. A) no B) 4 C) 5 D) 8
B) 4
The Texas Lt. Governor is: A) Greg Abbott. B) Dan Patrick. C) Dade Phelan. D) Jerry King.
B) Dan Patrick.
The second nation to lay claim to the territory of Texas was A) Portugal. B) France. C) England. D) Spain.
B) France.
Which constitution was known as the "carpetbagger's constitution"? A) U.S. Constitution B) Reconstruction constitution C) Republic of Texas constitution D) Republic of Mexico's constitution
B) Reconstruction constitution
Unlike most other statewide governing offices, what governing body has varied greatly in form and structure over the years? A) Office of the Attorney General B) State Board of Education C) Texas Department of Agriculture D) General Land Office
B) State Board of Education
Of the six flags flown over Texas, which represented republics? A) the Confederacy and France B) Texas and Mexico C) France and Mexico D) Spain and France
B) Texas and Mexico
The fourth national flag to fly over Texas was the flag of: A) the Confederacy B) the Republic of Texas C) France D) Mexico
B) the Republic of Texas
How does a Texas legislator's salary compare to those of other populous states? A) Texas legislators are paid much more than legislators in other populous states. B) Texas legislators are paid much less than legislators in other populous states. C) Texas legislators are paid more than legislators in any other state. D) Texas legislators are paid about the same as legislators in other populous states.
B) Texas legislators are paid much less than legislators in other populous states.
The first woman governor elected was Nellie T. Ross from ____? A) Texas B) Wyoming C) Alabama D) California
B) Wyoming
Which executive-level officer collects taxes and invests state funds? A) commissioner of agriculture B) comptroller of public accounts C) attorney general D) commissioner of the General Land Office
B) comptroller of public accounts
The practice of redrawing electoral boundaries for political advantage is known as A) reapportionment. B) gerrymandering. C) reallocation. D) redistricting.
B) gerrymandering.
Which of the following informal qualifications for governor is nearly universal in Texas? A) holding a law degree B) having previously held elected office C) fraternal membership D) military service
B) having previously held elected office
Which chamber has a higher percentage of races in which the incumbent faces no general election candidate? A) Both are roughly equivalent. B) house C) senate D) This cannot be determined from the data.
B) house
One check the judicial branch has on the legislative branch is A) overriding of vetoes. B) judicial review of statutes. C) approval of federal judges. D) power to pardon.
B) judicial review of statutes.
Between 1900 and 1950, what was the primary factor that accelerated the demographic shift from a rural society to an urban society in Texas? A) the automobile B) oil C) WWI and WWII D) the Civil Rights movement
B) oil
Voters must approve amendments to the Texas constitution. This is an example of the principle of A) citizen legislatures. B) popular sovereignty. C) social contract theory. D) separation of powers.
B) popular sovereignty.
When drawing legislative districts, A) race can be used so long as it does not create majority-minority districts. B) race can be used as long as it is not the predominate factor. C) race can never be used. D) race can be used to justify violating "one person, one vote."
B) race can be used as long as it is not the predominate factor.
Which of the following is an exclusive power of the national government? A) provide education B) regulate interstate commerce C) regulate banks D) conduct elections
B) regulate interstate commerce
In terms of population size, Texas ranks ________ in the nation in comparison to other states. A) first B) second C) third D) fourth
B) second
Article 2 of the Texas Constitution covers the A) constitutional supremacy B) separation of powers. C) executive department. D) legislative departments.
B) separation of powers.
Based on the results of recent state and national electoral in Texas, one can conclude that A) Texas will become a Democratic state once again, though Republicans will mount strong challenges as the minority party. B) Texas will soon become a hotly contested two-party state once again. C) Texas will continue to be a strong Republican state, but the prospect of Democratic comeback is not out of the question. D) Texas will become a more liberal state in the future.
C) Texas will continue to be a strong Republican state, but the prospect of Democratic comeback is not out of the question.
Most of the work of the attorney general involves ________ rather than ________. ______ A) judicial review; prosecution B) ceremonial functions; executive functions C) civil law; criminal law D) criminal law; civil law
C) civil law; criminal law
What was the primary use of land in Texas from the 1820s to the 1860s? A) cattle production B) oil C) cotton farming D) Land use in the period was about equally divided among these three.
C) cotton farming
What is the first formal act of the Texas House at the beginning of a legislative session? A) calling in the governor to give a speech B) ratifying the results of the most recent election C) electing a speaker of the house D) designating a sergeant at arms
C) electing a speaker of the house
Given Texas' political culture, which of the following best reflects a governmental policy the majority would be supportive of? A) expanding regulations of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to protect the underground water table B) creating a state income tax to ensure public schools are sufficiently funded C) expanded tax credits for enticing businesses to move to Texas D) expansion of Medicaid to ensure people at 200 percent of the poverty level are afforded health coverage
C) expanded tax credits for enticing businesses to move to Texas
What is one power that the governor of Texas enjoys? A) power to interpret the law B) power to tax C) line-item veto D) judges' impeachment power
C) line-item veto
Minority groups in Texas A) are primarily concentrated in rural areas. B) are shrinking due to an influx of whites in other states. C) outnumber non-Hispanic whites. D) have no influence on politics and policy decisions.
C) outnumber non-Hispanic whites.
The main function of the Sunset Advisory Commission is to A) set the legislative calendar. B) redraw legislative districts. C) oversee state agencies. D) recommend a budget to the state legislature.
C) oversee state agencies.
Texas is an example of a plural executive system because A) the governor appoints the lieutenant governor. B) the governor also presides over the State House of Representatives. C) power is divided among several elected officials. D) there are two governors.
C) power is divided among several elected officials.
The lieutenant governor is not formally a senator and cannot vote except in cases of a tie, yet he or she has great power over the senate. Why? A) a popular sovereignty mandate B) senatorial tradition C) powers similar to those of the speaker of the house D) the bully pulpit and the ear of the governor
C) powers similar to those of the speaker of the house
In terms of total land size, Texas ranks ________ in the nation in comparison to other states. A) third B) first C) second D) fourth
C) second
Which type of legislative committee is most important? A) majority B) interim C) standing D) conference
C) standing
Article 6 of the U.S. Constitution contains the ________ clause establishing the U.S. Constitution as the law of the land that no federal or state law may violate. A) primacy B) establishment C) supremacy D) preemptive
C) supremacy
Today, what industry dominates the Texas economy, employing more than half of the private sector workforce? A) manufacturing and the tech industry B) agriculture and cattle C) the service industry D) oil and petrochemical processing
C) the service industry
Why did the U.S. commit 50,000 troops to Texas at the end of the Civil War in 1865? A) to enforce the provisions of Reconstruction B) to prevent Texas from seceding C) to discourage French meddling D) to secure the border after Mexican encroachment
C) to discourage French meddling
The Texas House and Senate can override a governor's veto with a ________ vote. A) majority B) four-fifths C) two-thirds D) three-fifths
C) two-thirds
Assume both the Texas House and Senate have passed omnibus transportation bills. The bills are almost identical, with slight differences. How will these differences be reconciled prior to the bill being sent to the governor for consideration? A) in the standing committees that have jurisdiction B) by a special committee that is chaired by the speaker and vice-chaired by the lieutenant governor C) by the governor's staff, who will reconcile any differences D) in conference committee
D) in conference committee
If the office of governor is vacated in Texas, the order of succession is A) president pro tempore, land commissioner, attorney general. B) lieutenant governor, land commissioner, president pro tempore. C) attorney general, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house. D) lieutenant governor, president pro tempore, speaker of the house.
D) lieutenant governor, president pro tempore, speaker of the house.
The framers of the 1876 Texas constitution adopted a plural executive system in order to A) increase oversight of state agencies. B) make the executive branch the dominant of the three. C) provide an additional check on the legislative branch. D) limit the power of the governor.
D) limit the power of the governor.
Which of the following elements dominated the land-based economy of post-Reconstruction Texas and is/are still important today? A) cattle only B) oil and cattle only C) cotton and oil only D) oil, cotton, and cattle
D) oil, cotton, and cattle
The Spanish constitutions contributed what key element to the political climate of Texas? A) limited government B) decreased executive power C) decentralization of decision making D) property rights for women
D) property rights for women
Which of the following is NOT among the formal qualifications for the office of governor in Texas? A) resident of the state for five years B) 30 years of age C) U.S. citizenship D) registered voter
D) registered voter
Nineteenth-century federalism A) saw the federal government dictate even the smallest aspects of state and local government. B) saw the federal government mostly dominant over states. C) continued unchanged through the twentieth century. D) saw states mostly dominant over the federal government.
D) saw states mostly dominant over the federal government.
In the process known as ________, the governor must clear his or her appointments with the state senator from the appointee's home district. A) "good politics" B) political reciprocity C) the "southern custom" D) senatorial courtesy
D) senatorial courtesy
One major difference between the U.S. and Texas constitutions is that A) the Texas constitution does not provide for three branches of government. B) the Texas constitution does not specifically detail the amendment procedure C) the Texas constitution places more detailed qualifications for holding in office both houses of the legislature. D) the Texas constitution begins with the Bill of Rights.
D) the Texas constitution begins with the Bill of Rights.
In states without a lieutenant governor, who is usually next in succession to the governor's office? A) the chief justice of the state supreme court B) the leader of the state house of representatives C) the vice governor or speaker of the house D) the leader of the state senate or secretary of state
D) the leader of the state senate or secretary of state
Texas' first petition for statehood was denied because A) the vast majority of Anglo settlers did not consider themselves American. B) the Spanish and Mexican settlers who remained in Texas threatened revolt. C) the U.S. felt that Mexico still had a valid claim to the land. D) there was not a free state to balance the admittance of Texas as a slave state.
D) there was not a free state to balance the admittance of Texas as a slave state.