Pols207 Exam 3

Governor’s Formal Powers

Appointment, veto, budgetary authority, call special sessions

Governor’s Informal Powers

Derived from personal influence and public communication

Regular Veto

Governor rejects the entire bill, can be overturned by a 2/3s vote

Post-adjournment Veto

Issued after the session, cannot be overturned

Line-Item Veto

Governor can reject specific parts of revenue bills

Governors in budget

Oversee execution of the budget, propose priorities

Executive orders

Issued by governors to manage state operations

Texas Budget Process

Biennial, must be balanced

No Child Left Behind

Improve student achievement and accountability in schools with standardized testing

GDP

Total value of all goods and services produced within the borders

Progressive Taxes

Rates increase with higher income levels

Regressive Taxes

Imposes a higher burden on lower-income individuals as the tax rate decreases with higher income levels.

Sources of Tax Revenues for State and Local Governments

Income taxes (not TX), sales taxes, property taxes, excise taxes

Excise Taxes

Taxes on goods like tobacco, alc, gas

Tax Burden

Proportion of income paid in taxes

Taxation limits affect

Local governments that rely on property taxes

Outsourcing

Transferring government services or functions to private sectors for efficiency or cost savings

General Obligation Bonds

Bonds backed by taxation

Revenue Bonds

Bonds paid back from what the bond is for

Academic Performance Metrics

Standardized tests, graduation rates

Magnet Schools

Public schools with specialized curriculum, attracts diverse student populations

Charter Schools

Publicly funded but independently run schools with flexibility

Vouchers

Government funded subsidies for students to attend private schools

Religious School Funding

Only given if it adheres to constitutional guidelines and serves a secular purpose

Ensuring Local Compliance in Education

Funding conditions and accountability systems

State Education is controlled by

State departments of education and elected or appointed boards

Primary Revenue for Schools

Local Property Tax

Superintendents

Oversee district operations, implement policies, manage budgets

Zoning

Regulates land use, ensure orderly development, and balance community needs

Responsibility for Public Welfare

Managed by state and local govts through social service programs

Payroll Tax

Tax on wages that fund social programs

Social Security

Reduces elderly poverty and provides retirement stability

Changes with TANF

Introduced work requirements, lifetime limits, devolve control to states for welfare

Medicare

Federal health insurance for 65+ and younger individuals with disabilities. Largest expenditure for public assistance.

Largest single revenue source for the states

Federal grants