GOVT 2306.911 Chap. 2

The civil liberties protections in the _____ have largely been incorporated to apply to states through the due process clause of the _____.

bill of rights fourteenth amendment

In 1824, settlers coming to Texas from the United States stopped being under the authority of the U.S. Constitution and instead were governed by the Mexican national constitution. Which aspects of the Mexican national constitution of 1824 differed from the U.S. Constitution? Which aspects were the same?

Aspects That Were Different the selection of the president the role of religion Aspects That Were Similar protection of state powers a bicameral legislature the separation of powers

Which of the following characteristics have been central in all of Texas's constitutions since Texas joined the United States?

Central in All of Texas's Constitutions strong popular control individual rights division of power federalism Not Central in All of Texas's Constitutions strong government flexibility

Match the each characteristic or provision to the constitution it belongs to: the Texas Constitution of 1845, the Texas Constitution of 1861, or the Texas Constitution of 1869.

Constitution of 1845 provided for possible emancipation of enslaved people detailed the original agreement for Texas's statehood Constitution of 1869 created a much more powerful governor was heavily influenced by Radical Republicans Constitution of 1861 declared allegiance to the Confederacy made it illegal to free enslaved people

Local governments in Texas, such as cities and counties, derive their authority from which sources?

Correct Answer(s) the citizens of Texas the Texas Constitution Incorrect Answer(s) the U.S. Constitution American citizens the residents of the city the county commissioners' court

Which of the following statements about similarities between the Texas Constitution and the U.S. Constitution are true?

Correct Answer(s) Both protect the rights of individual citizens .Both provide the power for branches to limit the actions of one another. Both establish the people as the foundational source of government power. Both give the distinct branches of government autonomous powers. Incorrect Answer(s) Both specifically define authority very specifically to prevent abuses of power. Both define the authority to regulate and conduct elections.

What effect did the creation of decentralized boards and other districts outside the authority of the governor have on the Texas government?

Correct Answer(s) It created a system more susceptible to special interests. It made it more difficult to revise and reform policies affecting government power. Incorrect Answer(s) It made the people's voice in government stronger. It further enhanced the one-party dominance of the state.

How does the plural executive, as specified in Article 4 of the Texas Constitution, influence Texas government?

Correct Answer(s) It diffuses the functions of the executive among multiple offices. It ensures that each member of the plural executive has an independent base of power. It protects against concentration of power. Incorrect Answer(s) It ensures that policies are implemented more efficiently. It makes the governor more powerful.

How do both the U.S. and Texas constitutions seek to prevent tyranny?

Correct Answer(s) separation of powers checks and balances natural self-interests

Which of these have served as sources of frustration for states in their relationship with the federal government?

Correct Answer(s) supremacy clause necessary and proper clause Fourteenth Amendment Incorrect Answer(s) Tenth Amendment

Which factors gave the Tea Party high rates of success in influencing the outcomes of recent amendment elections in Texas?

Correct Answer(s) unity behind an issue low voter turnout Incorrect Answer(s) effective education of registered voters on the issues strong party affiliation

Voter participation in statewide constitutional amendment elections is most likely to see big increases under what circumstances?

Divisive social issues are on the ballot.

Why is voter participation in Texas constitutional amendment elections so low?

Reason Turnout Is Low There are no candidates on the ballot. The elections are held on off years from major general elections. Many amendments are insignificant to voters. Not a Reason Turnout Is Low Few voters can pass the poll test. Voters must separately register to vote in constitutional amendment elections.

Which statement accurately portrays the tax burden in Texas?

Texans still contribute about a twelfth of their income to state taxes.

Drag the following provisions of the Texas Constitution of 1876, the U.S. Constitution, or both to their proper place on the Venn diagram.

Texas Constitution of 1876 complex, specific, and long document free and equitable public schools victims' rights Both Bicameral Legislature Popular Sovereignty U.S. Constitution short document with flexible language supreme law single executive

Place the following events in the history of Texas in order from oldest to most recent.

Texas's independence from Mexico state of Texas joins the United States Civil War Fourteenth Amendment ratified Grange movement influences new Texas Constitution Texas Equal Rights Amendment added to the state constitution

As one of only a handful of states without a form of an income tax, what is the only way that Texas could institute an income tax statewide?

The legislature and voters would have to amend the constitution.

Before voters participate in a constitutional amendment election, what step must happen first?

The legislature votes to put the amendment on the ballot

How do the lieutenant governor, who leads the Texas Senate, and the Speaker of the House, who leads the Texas House of Representatives, receive their positions of leadership?

The lieutenant governor is elected statewide, and the Speaker of the House is chosen by members of the Texas House of Representatives.

Before the 2019 amendment was passed, the state constitution allowed the state to create a state income tax, but the only time state leaders ever brought it up was in regard to what issue?

The state faced recurring budget issues and the need to fund public education.

Match the clause characteristic to the amendment in which it is found.

Thirteenth Amendment ends slavery Fifteenth Amendment bans race discrimination in voting Fourteenth Amendment defines who is a citizen forces states to follow due process to remove rights guarantees equal rights for people in all states

What is the meaning of the term impeachment?

a charge of wrongdoing

Which of the following is the correct definition of the term unicameral?

a legislature that has only one body

Which of the following is the most accurate characterization of the current Texas Constitution?

a long and complex collection of specifically written policy

The push to rewrite the Texas Constitution in the 1970s emerged from which of the following events?

a stock fraud scandal

The U.S. Constitution specifies how powers are allocated within state-level institutions.

false

Relative to the U.S. Constitution, the Texas Constitution is _____ and adopts a tone of _____ governance.

longer limited

The government of Texas is separated into many parts. In addition to having three branches of government, one branch—the executive—is divided into a plural executive with different constituencies. Which of the following has been a difficult outcome of this fractured structure?

outsized influence of energized factions of the public and interest groups

What important functions are performed by state constitutions?

specify the limits and uses of power by state institutions and individuals clarify the source of a state's political power divide authority within the political institutions of the state