Texas GOVT Midterm Review

who is the texas governor

Greg Abbott (Republican)

what are the 6 flags over texas?

Spain 1519-1685, France 1685-1690, Mexico (1821-1836), Republic of Texas (1836-1846), Confederate States of America (1861-1865), United States of America

How many constitutions has Texas had?

7

What are major industries in the development of Texas?

cotton -> cattle -> oil -> tech
although all are relevant today

Who was the governor who tried to follow through on the promises of Reconstruction in Texas?

EJ Davis

A primary reason for Texas seceding from both Mexico and the US was:

Slavery

What are Texas' geographic regions?

The Gulf Coastal Plains, The Interior Lowlands, The Basin and Range Province

Texas has the second longest constitution, why?

Statutory, must be written in law

Ethnic majority in Texas

no majority

How does Texas interact with the federal government?

The federal government is superior to Texas

What part of the constitution establishes the federal government as superior to the state governments?

The Supremacy Clause

10th amendment

Gives the states control over policy realms not explicitly given to the federal government

What is Coercive Federalism?

The federal government using regulations and funding to try and force the states into doing things

The form of federalism characterized by block grants, giving more power to the states, and was popularized by Nixon and Reagan is:

New Federalism
the transfer of certain powers from the United States federal government back to the states.

The elastic clause:

Has allowed for broad expansions of federal power under the justification of those powers being "necessary and proper"

What is an unfunded mandate?

The federal government sets a list of standards or requirements, and the states must meet these on their own

What area has Texas been clashing with federal power in?

Immigration

Which of these parties was founded in Texas?

La Raza Unida

what is the order of levels of organization for a party?

precincts
counties
state
federal

Urban areas in Texas tend to vote more:

Democratic

Select all the parties that have had a Presidency

Whigs
Democrats
Republicans

A party's top priority is:

Winning elections

When do parties create their platform?

At their state/national convention

In which election did most of the south, but not TX, vote for the pro-segregation "American Independent Party" at the presidential level?

1968

Texas is under control of a Republican Trifecta, which means:

Republicans control the executive, senate, and house

WHat are common ways to measure voter turnout?

Number of voters divided by number of eligible voters
Number of voters divided by number of registered voters
Number of voters divided by number of adults

Does Texas usually have lower or high voter turnout than the national avgerage

Lower turnout than the national average

Texas historically has used _____ to disenfranchise minority voters

A poll tax

What would make someone not eligible to vote in Texas.

Not 18 or older
Not a US Citizen
Currently in Prison
Not a Texas Resident

Which kind of primary does Texas have?

semi-open

What is the term for indicators like Race, Gender, and Age?

Demographics

Which of these is a barrier to running for office?

Money
Time
kids

When candidates are running for office, what is a key factor they need to boost things like advertising, name recognition, and more?

Fundraising/Money

Which of the following is NOT true about interest groups?

They run candidates in elections

what is a key aspect of Texas' lobbying and campaign laws

Transparency

what are some examples of interest groups

Sierra Club
AARP
NAACP
texas barbers association
MADD

A material incentive

An incentive where you directly gain a tangible benefit by donating or supporting the interest group.

A solidarity incentive

An incentive where you donate to or support the interest group because they are helping people like you.

A purposive incentive

An incentive where you donate to or support an interest group because you believe in their cause.

What is the Iron Triangle?

A relationship between an interest group/lobbyist, a committee chair, and an executive agency that is mutually beneficial for all involved

Lobbyists must register with the state and submit monthly and annual reports on their spending in Texas

true