TX Govt Final Review

Review Final Exam

What is liberal and conservative ideology

Liberal: Supports government involvement in the economy, progressive social policies

Conservative: Favors limited government, free markets, traditional values

What are the types of political culture?

Moralistic: Government promotes public good

Individualistic: Politics as a marketplace

Traditionalistic: Maintains social hierarchy and order

What are the physical regions of Texas?

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

What are the economic factors of Texas?

Oil and gas, agriculture, tech, healthcare, trade, and manufacturing

What is the racial breakdown of Texas?

Roughly: 40% Hispanic, 39% White (non-Hispanic), 12% black, 5% Asian, others

What was the Constitution of 1827?

As a part of Coahuila y Tejas (Mexico); created state legislature and local governments

What was the Constitution of 1836?

Declared independence from Mexico; modeled after the U.S. Constitution

What was the Constitution of 1845?

Drafted when Texas joined the U.S.; strong legislative branch, limited executive power

What was the Constitution of 1861?

Reflected Secession and joined Confederacy; Protected slavery.

What was the Constitution of 1866?

Post-Civil War constitution; abolished slavery and attempted reentry into the Union.

What was the Constitution of 1869?

Reconstruction-era constitution; centralized power under the governor.

What was the Constitution of 1876?

Current Texas Constitution; limited government, decentralized authority.

What do the Articles of the Constitution of 1876 cover?

17 articles covering government structure, rights, education, and taxation.

How many times has the Constitution of 1876 been amended?

Over 500 times.

What is unitary, confederal, & federalist governments?

Unitary: central power

Confederal: state power

Federalist: shared power.

What are the types of power in the federalist system?

Enumerated, Reserved, Concurrent, Implied powers.

What is the “Full Faith and Credit” clause?

States must recognize other states’ legal decisions.

What is the “Necessary and Proper” clause?

Allows Congress to make laws to carry out its powers.

What is the “Interstate Commerce” clause?

Gives Congress power to regulate trade between states.

What is the “Comity” clause?

Also called Privileges and Immunities Clause; protects citizens across state lines.

What is the “Supremacy” clause?

Federal law overrides conflicting state law.

What are the types of grants?

Categorical, Block, and Project grants.

What is evolution & devolution of power?

Evolution: increase in federal power; Devolution: return of power to states.

What is the spillover effect?

When actions in one state or region affect others.

What are the types of mandates?

Funded, Unfunded, Underfunded.

What is an independent candidate?

A candidate who runs for office without party affiliation.

How are Party in the Electorate members determined?

By self-identification; individuals choose which party they support.

What are the levels of temporary organization structure of parties?

Precinct convention, county/district convention, state convention.

What is a platform?

A party’s formal statement of beliefs, values, and policy positions.

What are the levels of permanent organization structure of parties?

Precinct chair, county chair and executive committee, state chair and executive committee.

What are the types of primary elections?

Open, closed, semi-open, and blanket primaries.

What type of primary is used in Texas?

Open primary.

What is a run-off primary?

A second election held if no candidate receives a majority in the first primary.

What is a party realignment?

A major shift in party loyalty or support among voters.

What is a party dealignment?

When voters move away from all political parties, becoming independents.

What are the requirements for voting?

U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, resident of Texas and the county for 30 days, registered to vote.

What are the ways used to deny the right to vote?

Poll taxes, literacy tests, white primaries, voter ID laws.

What are the types of elections in Texas?

Primary, general, special, local elections.

What is voter turnout?

The percentage of eligible voters who actually vote in an election.

What are the types of ballots used?

Office block ballot (by office), party column ballot (by party).

What are the two types of campaigning politics?

Retail politics (direct contact) and wholesale politics (media-focused).

How do interest groups avoid finance laws?

By creating PACs, using independent expenditures, or exploiting loopholes.

What is an independent expenditure?

Money spent by a group or individual to support or oppose a candidate without coordination.

What US laws deal with voting?

Voting Rights Act of 1965, National Voter Registration Act (Motor Voter Act), Help America Vote Act.

What are the types of campaign advertising?

Positive, negative (attack), contrast, issue-based ads.

What is the role of the Legislative Redistricting Board?

Draws legislative districts if the Legislature fails to do so.

What are the types of gerrymandering?

Partisan, racial, incumbent-protection gerrymandering.

What are the types of interest groups?

Economic, noneconomic (public interest), mixed.

What are interest group activities?

Lobbying, electioneering, litigation, public relations, grassroots mobilization.

What constitutional guarantees allow interest groups?

First Amendment: freedom of speech, assembly, and petition.

What structural factors aid interest groups in influencing government?

Decentralized government, part-time legislature, and low voter turnout.

How many members serve in the Texas Senate?

31 members.

How many members serve in the Texas House?

150 members.

How many days can the general session of the Legislature last?

140 days in odd-numbered years.

How many days can a special session of the Legislature last?

Up to 30 days, called by the governor.

Who is the presiding officer in the Texas Senate?

The Lieutenant Governor.

Who is the presiding officer in the Texas House?

The Speaker of the House.

What can happen to a bill in committee?

It can be amended, approved, tabled, or killed.

What is the different step to the lawmaking process in the House?

Calendars Committee schedules bills for floor debate.

What are the three types of resolutions?

Joint resolution, concurrent resolution, simple resolution.

What happens if the House and Senate pass different versions of a bill?

A conference committee resolves the differences.

What are the six types of calendars in the Calendar committee?

Emergency, major state, constitutional amendments, general state, local, and consent.

What is a filibuster?

A tactic used in the Senate to delay or block a vote by speaking for an extended time.

What is cloture?

A procedure to end a filibuster and bring a vote (not commonly used in Texas).

What happens if the Governor does not sign a bill within the allotted timeframe after passage?

It becomes law without the governor's signature.

What are the requirements of the Texas executive branch officials?

Must be at least 30 years old, U.S. citizen, and a Texas resident for 5 years.

What are the duties and compensations of the Governor?

Appoints officials, veto power, calls special sessions; salary about $153,750/year.

What are the duties and compensations of the Lieutenant Governor?

Presides over Senate, powerful in legislation; same salary as senators unless acting governor.

What are the duties and compensations of the Attorney General?

Chief legal officer, handles state litigation; salary about $153,750/year.

What are the duties and compensations of the Comptroller of Public Accounts?

Manages state funds, certifies budget; salary about $153,750/year.

What are the duties and compensations of the Commissioner of the General Land Office?

Manages public lands, oil/gas leases; salary about $153,750/year.

What are the duties and compensations of the Commissioner of Agriculture?

Promotes agriculture, enforces farming laws; salary about $153,750/year.

What are the duties and compensations of the Secretary of State?

Manages elections, business filings; appointed, not elected; salary about $197,415/year.

What are the duties and compensations of the Railroad Commission?

Regulates oil, gas, mining, and utilities (not railroads); 3 elected commissioners.

What are the duties of the State Board of Education?

Sets curriculum standards, approves textbooks, oversees school funding.

What is a recess appointment?

An appointment made by the governor when the legislature is not in session.

What is Senatorial courtesy?

Tradition allowing a senator to block a governor’s appointment from their district.

What is the revolving door?

The movement of individuals between government and lobbying jobs.

What is patronage?

Giving government jobs to political supporters and friends.

What is merit based hiring?

Hiring based on qualifications, exams, and performance rather than political connections.

What is the role of the Sunset Advisory Commission?

Reviews state agencies to determine if they should be continued, changed, or abolished.

What are the Justice of the Peace courts?

Lowest courts; handle minor civil and criminal cases, small claims, and traffic violations.

What are county-level courts?

Courts that handle probate, misdemeanor, and civil cases; include constitutional and statutory county courts.

What are State District courts?

Primary trial courts for felony criminal cases, large civil cases, and family law.

What is the Courts of Appeals?

Intermediate appellate courts that review decisions from lower courts.

What is the Texas Supreme Court?

Highest civil court in Texas; hears civil and juvenile appeals.

What is the Court of Criminal Appeals?

Highest criminal court in Texas; hears appeals in criminal cases including death penalty.

What types of challenges are given to lawyers during jury selection?

Peremptory challenges and challenges for cause.

What is the standard for deciding civil cases in Texas?

Preponderance of the evidence.

How does Texas select its justices?

Through partisan elections.

What are the types of local governments?

Counties, municipalities (cities), and special districts.

What are the types of city government structure?

Mayor-council, council-manager, and commission systems.

What are the sources of city funding?

Sales tax, property tax, user fees, and fines.

Who are the county officials in Texas?

County judge, commissioners, sheriff, tax assessor, county clerk, and others.

What are the sources of county funding?

Property taxes, fees, fines, and grants.

What is a Council of Government

Regional planning groups made up of local governments for cooperation and coordination.

What are the revenue sources for Texas?

Sales tax, franchise tax, motor vehicle taxes, severance tax, federal funds.

What sector of the economy does the severance tax cover?

Oil and natural gas extraction.

What are excise taxes?

Taxes on specific goods like gasoline, alcohol, and tobacco.

What are the types of non-tax revenues?

Fees, fines, licenses, and lottery proceeds.