Final for GOVT 2306 study cards

Why did Attorney General Paxton argue that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was unconstitutional?

Paxton made the argument that President Obama effectively made a new law without congressional approval.

The origins of modern welfare policy lie in

President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal.

________ refers to the idea that policy makers have formulated and implemented policies that address problems in an optimal or efficient manner.

Rationality

Why did the US Department of Justice (DOJ) file a lawsuit against the new district maps passed by the Texas Legislature in 2021?

The DOJ argued that the maps did not take into consideration the large growth in the Latino population in Texas between 2010 and 2020

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?

The lottery is played by large numbers of people from all social classes.

Which of the following is the best definition of nondedicated funds?

They can be used for any purpose.

In what way was the redistricting process done in 2021 different from previous redistricting processes?

This was the first redistricting after the U.S. Supreme Court eliminated the preclearance section of the Voting Rights Act, so the redistricting was completed without any federal oversight.

The generally accepted standard by which poverty is measured in the United States is the

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services poverty index.

Which of the following make it unlikely that Texas will enact a personal income tax in the near future?

Voters approved constitutional amendments in 1993 and 2019 that would make it extremely difficult to create a personal income tax in Texas.

Texas has a reputation of being a ________ state.

"low service, low tax"

If you want to get the overall picture of revenue for the State of Texas, then you should look at which of the following?

All Funds

Which U.S. Supreme Court case overturned Plessy v. Ferguson,ruling that state-imposed segregation in schools violated the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment?

Brown v. Board of Education

Which of the following is a primary function of counties in Texas?

Counties provide the main form of government in rural areas.

Which of the following statements about county government in Texas is accurate?

County government in Texas varies in importance; some areas rely on it heavily, others much less so.

The ________ budget is a nondedicated revenue account and is Texas' primary operating fund.

General Revenue Funds

What happens during the policy-making process?

Governmental goals are identified, formulated, articulated into law, and evaluated.

Which of the following is the most controversial immigration-related issue in Texas?

How much should local law enforcement officials cooperate with federal immigration authorities?

Why is access to high-speed broadband internet now considered to be a critical part of the Texas infrastructure?

In today's world, we rely on access to the internet for a wide range of things like access to medical care, educational materials, and even to go shopping.

Why must the Texas legislature maintain a balanced budget?

It is required by the Texas Constitution.

The three main issues that have shaped education policy in Texas over the last 50 years have been

funding, desegregation, and educational excellence.

If you live in a Texas city that can set property tax rates up to $2.50 per $100 valuation and may have the power to annex land adjacent to the city, then you live in a city governed by

home-rule charter.

Suppose the Texas legislature wants to deal with concerns about college affordability. They pass a law that gives every resident in Texas two free years of college education at public colleges and universities—enough to earn an associate's degree. Which stage of the policy making process would determine the agency responsible for carrying out this policy?

implementation

Increasing levels of negative partisanship in Texas has

led to traditionally nonpartisan elections—such as for local school boards—becoming much higher profile and more partisan.

Federal money is an important part of the Texas budget, but monies that Texas receives from the federal government

often come with strings attached.

The Permanent School Fund (PSF) was established to provide funds for ___________________ on the basis of _________________.

primary and secondary schools in Texas; student attendance

To whom are most county officials most accountable, and how?

the voters, through the electoral process

How is the Texas Bullet Train project funded?

through private investments—with those developing the project using their own money to build it

As a result of Title 42,

unauthorized immigrants to the United States are required to be removed to either Mexico or their home countries in an expedited manner.

What is negative partisanship?

when your sense of partisanship is based more on negative feelings toward the opposing party rather than an agreement or share sense of purpose with your own party

The key issue at stake in Edgewood ISD v. Kirby was

whether the phrase "an efficient system of free public schools" from the Texas Constitution could be fulfilled through funding by local property taxes.

A ________ form of government is one in which public policies are developed by the city council and executive and administrative functions are assigned to a professional city manager.

council-manager

In Texas, lesser criminal cases are generally prosecuted by _______________, while the more serious criminal cases tend to be prosecuted by ______________.

county attorneys; district attorneys

Who is responsible for the construction and maintenance of Texas' county roads and bridges?

county commissioners

Texas relies on ____________ taxes more than any other source of revenue to fund the government.

sales

Which of the following is the most common form of local government in Texas?

special districts

Prior to the New Deal, who was responsible for welfare programs?

state and local governments

Suppose the legislature created a new agency tasked with siting new flood control infrastructure, and gave this agency the power of eminent domain to carry out its mission. What does eminent domain allow this agency to do?

take private property for a public purpose as long as they provide just compensation to the property owner

If you want to get married and need to get a marriage license, or need to get a copy of a birth or death certificate, which office do you need to contact?

the county clerk where you are getting married, or where the death or birth occurred

Which of the following is the best definition of public policy?

the expressed goals of a government body that are backed by sanctions or incentives

In the commissioner form of government,

the legislative and executive functions are performed by the elected commissioners.