Final Exam Texas GOVT 2306

What are the main responsibilities of the elected regulatory Boards and Commissions in Texas?

Appointment process for the state’s regulatory boards and commissions requires the appointment of a person by the governor must be confirmed by the Texas Senate

What are the main similarites between the U.S. Bill of Rights and the Texas Bill of Rights?

They both guarantee many of the same free right to “free men”

What are the main differences between the U.S. Bill of Rights and the Texas Bill of Rights?

The Texas Bill of Rights guarantees some rights that are not found in the U.S. Bill of Rights, like the right to republican government, ensure the power of people, and public policy concerns.

Who has the main responsibility for redistricting in Texas?

Republicans

What is the impeachment process in Texas?

The House and Senate (and the courts) can decide what constitutes an impeachable offense, one is tried by the Senate, needing a two-thirds vote.

What is the difference between categorical grants, block grants and unfunded mandates in the area of Federalism?

Categorical grants allow money to be spent on a specific problem/group, while Block Grants give discretion to how funds are spent, AKA more freedom.

What are unfunded mandates?

It is the federal requirements that states/local governments pay the costs of federal policies

Which political party currently controls state government in Texas?

Republican Party

What are the key offices in the plural executive branch in Texas?

Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Agriculture Commissioner, Comptroller of Public Accounts, and the Secretary of State.

What are the main types of interest groups in Texas?

 Corporations, professional groups, public employee groups, single-issue groups, public interest groups, and ideological groups

How frequently and for long is the Texas state legislature in session?

The Texas state legislature is in session for a 140-day period, which occurs on a biennial schedule, in odd-numbered years only.

What is the significance of Edgewood v Kirby case?

It considered whether funding public schools through local property taxes fulfilled the Texas Constitution

What is Medicaid?

Health insurance for the poor

Distinguish between plea bargaining, probation, parole, felonies and misdemeanors?

Plea bargain - An agreement between the prosecutor and the defendant where the defendant agrees to plead guilty.

Probation – Lower prison sentence, must report to a probation officer, can be sent to jail if requirements are not met.

Parole – Released after some prison time, but with restrictions and under the supervision of a parole officer.

Felony – Serious Criminal Sentence

Misdemeanor – Minor Criminal Sentence

What political culture does Texas reflect according to Daniel Elazar?

Texas is categorized as having a “traditionalistic individualistic” political culture.

Distinguish between the positions of District Attorney, County Attorney, County Judge, and Public Defender

District Attorney – prosecute criminal cases

County Attorney – prosecute criminal cases

County Judge – Responsible for the administration of county government, looks over county commissioners court, and constitutional county court.

Public Defender - (not done yet)

What are the main types of City government in Texas?

Mayor-Council- mayor is the chief executive and the city council is the legislative body. (general law cities)

Commissioner: city is run by small group of elected commissioners. (Not in use today)

Council-Manager- Executive and administrative functions are assigned to a professional city manager, public policies are developed by a city council.  (half of all Texas cities use this)

 

What is the difference between dedicated and non-dedicated funds?

 Differences – one is specific, and one isn’t

Dedicated funds –meant for a specific purpose, how and where it goes is already determined

Non-dedicated funds – not meant for anything specific

Federal Funds – most money comes from these types of funds

What does the state constitution say about requiring a balanced budget?

 The general revenue fund cannot exceed the comptrollers projected available revenue. Everything has to go through the comptroller to make sure the spending is within the budget. If it exceeds, everything else will have to be changed to fit the budget.

What is the difference between a progressive and a regressive tax system?

Differences – the people who have the tax burden have different incomes

Progressive tax system – the tax burden falls more heavily on upper-income individuals

Regressive tax system – the tax burden falls more heavily on lower-income individuals

What is the largest single source of revenue for Texas?

Federal funds.

What is the largest single source of tax revenue for Texas?

Sales tax.

What is the definition of policy?

the expressed goals of a governmental body backed by incentives and sanctions.

How does Texas rank in per captia spending in education?

 44^th, bottom third.

What are charter schools?

Schools that are contracted with the government. Not part of the ISD.

What is importance of Edgewood ISD v. Kirby?

 What constituted an “efficient system of free public schools”? The state is not giving enough money for public schools. Changed how we fund public schools now. Various funding plans were tried.

What is the robin hood plan?

A plan in which funds were to be transferred from rich to poor schools.

What is the “no pass, no play” policy?

 If you’re not passing classes, you cannot play sports.

What is the Children’s Health Insurance Program?

It is a program that provides coverage for children in families with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid.

What is the Medicaid expansion under Obamacare (The Affordable Care Act) and did Texas participate?

If one is 130% below the poverty line can get Medicaid for free, Texas sued the government and got exempt from providing Medicaid.

What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony?

Difference- A misdemeanor is a minor criminal offence, while a felony is a serious offense.

Misdemeanor – A minor criminal offense usually punishable by a small fine or short jail sentence.

Felony - A serious criminal offense that subjects a person to fines or imprisonment.

 

What are the steps in the policy-making cycle?

Problem identification- develop an understanding of how we must think about and address a particular problem.

Policy formulation: clarify general ideas about problems and develop strategies.

Implementation- policy is put into effect by government. (Appropriate agency to implement a program, and budget policy are major roles)

Evaluation- evaluated for effectiveness.

What is the importance of Brown v. Board of Education?

It ended segregation in schools (1954), the Supreme Court Ruled that state-imposed segregation in schools violated the equal protection clause.  

Dropout rates are highest among which demographics?

Latinos, African Americans, minorities

What were the criticisms of welfare in the 1980s?

People thought those on welfare were lazy, and that welfare did not encourage people to become independent of the government.  

What were the goals of the Affordable Care Act?

Congress wanted to expand the number of people with health insurance, contain costs, and make the health care system more effective.

What is the most serious felony?

Capital Murder

What is bail?

Paying a certain amount of money to be temporarily released from jail.

What are the criticisms of grand juries?

They almost always indite.

What is parole?

Parole is release after serving some prison time, under specified rules and under the supervision of a parole officer.

What state performs the most executions?

Texas

What is a plea bargain?

An agreement between the prosecutor and the defendant whereby the defendant agrees to plead guilty.

How are community colleges funded?

Tuition, property, taxes, state funds

What is the difference between moralistic, individualistic, and traditionalistic political cultures? CH1

Differences- Moralistic= promoting public good and citizen participation, Individualistic= Self interest regarding economics, Traditionalistic= Guided by tradition (southern values)

Moralistic – Government is active in promoting the public good and citizens participate in politics and civic activities to ensure that.

Individualistic –Government is only expected to ensure public stability so that individuals can pursue their own economic interests.

Traditionalistic –Government is dominated by a political elite and guided by tradition.

How powerful is the Texas governor in terms of their formal powers?

They have considerable control concerning message power (to influence legislature), veto power, and special sessions.

What is the structure of the judicial system in Texas?

• Trial (district, county, justice of peace, municipal courts)

• Appellate (appeal court)

• Supreme courts (Texas Supreme court and Texas court of criminal appeal)

What are the main jurisdictions of each of the various courts in this system?

Limited, general, and complete jurisdiction.

What are the major implications of the deregulation of Higher Education in 2003?

Increases in tuition and fees.

What is the process of amending and ratifying changes to the Texas constitution?

It requires a two-thirds vote from each house, then voters approve of the proposals in the general election.

How many days before an election are Texans required to register in order to be eligible to vote?

30 days.

 What is the most fundamental civic duty citizens have in a representative democracy?

Voting!