UT Texas Government Only Credit-Exam

No Child Left Behind

2001; national education standards for schools in all states passed by Bush

1/3

fraction of state revenue from federal grants

conservative

hostility to government activity, especially in the economic sphere, and a complementary faith in the judgment of businesspeople

C

In which of the following areas would Texas have the least influence?

a. Determining how it will tax its citizens.

b. Enforcing laws and administering justice.

c. Controlling its border with Mexico.

d. Setting educational standards.

e. Regulating industry within the state.

C

Which of the following groups has not changed appreciably, as a percent of the Texas population, since 1980?

a. Anglo (non-Hispanic)

b. Native American Indian

c. African American

d. Asian

e. Hispanic

constitution purposes

give legitimacy, organize government, grant specific powers, limit government powers

1876

date of ratification of the 6th texas constitution (6th)

constitution of 1845

statehood constitution; bsed on Jacksonianism

Grange

farmer's organization; white supremacy; influenced current constitution of 1876

lieutenant governor

presides over Texas Senate; elected by people

comptroller of public accounts

collects state's taxes and determines whether enough revenue exists to fund state budget; keeps state money; elected by people

attorney general

state lawyer; elected by people

commissioner of General land Office

protects state environment and administers public lands; elected by people

Texas Railroad Commission

regulate intrastate transportation and oil/gas industry; elected by people

local governments

counties, municipalities, special districts

counties

most restricted; administrative and judicial; commission form of government that combined executive and legislative authority and is headed by a judge; fragmented

home rule

allows a city to write its own charter and make changes in it without legislative approval; population over 5,000

general-law

cities must operate under statewide statutes

special districts

limited-purpose local governments that have taxing authority; e.g. school districts

legislature

location of initiation for amendment proposal (regular or special session)

2/3

majority of House/Senate (100/21) required to submit proposed constitutional amendments to voters

simpole majority

majority of citizens needed for ratification of constitutional amendments

C

Which of the following is not a purpose of the U.S. constitution?

a. legitimize government

b. grant powers to government

c. establish local units of government

d. organize government

e. limit government

D

Which of the following Texas Constitutions established the Republic of Texas, where Texas was a free, sovereign, and independent nation?

a. 1836

b. 1866

c. 1861

d. 1845

e. 1869

Jacksonian democracy

Short terms of office for public officials.

An expansion of individual participation in government.

The spoils system of appointing the victor's supporters to office.

Long ballots with most offices up for popular vote.

Ethics Commission

Which Texas government agency was created in 1991 and given the power of recommending legislative salaries

Terrell Election Law

1903; forbid corporations to contribute money directly to candidates for public office

Texas Campaign Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1973

• every candidate and political committee must appoint treasurer before accepting contributions or expenditures

• contributions >500 out-of-state permitted onlu if names are disclosed

• detailed financial reports required including all contributions and expenditures over 50

• violators face civil/criminal penalties

no enforcement and no limit

1991 Texas Ethics Law

created ethics commission that could hold hearings on public complaints, levy fines, and report violations to Austin distric attorney; no limits on campaign contributions; required super majority for actions

20

percentage cut off for primary election requirement (smaller can choose by nominating convention)

primary election

held within a party to nominate candidates for general election or choose presidential nominating convention delegates

general election

choose state and national executives and legislators; even-numbered years on tuesday after first monday in november

special elections

fill vacancies; nonpartisan

Article IIIq

stipulates that Texas legislature composed of Senate (31) and HofRep (150)

electing legislators

• November general elctions in even-numbered yrs

• election form single-memeber districts

• 2-yr term for house and 4-yr term for senators

• special elections called by governor fill vacancies

regular session

biennial; 140 calendar days

special sessions

called by governor; max 30 days; governor determines schedule

legislative redistricting board

if legislature fails ot redistrict itself, lieutenant governor/speaker of house/comptroller of public accounts/general land commissioner/attorney general redictrict for them

Baker v. Carr

one person one vote

Wesberry v. Sanders

one-person one-vote applied to US House districts

Reynolds v. Sims

one-person one-vote applied to state legislative districts

26

how old member so the TX senate must be; residents for 5

21

how old members of the TX house but be; residents for 2, 1 in district

senate

which house has unlimited debate

10

number of days governor has to dispose of acts

10,20

days until bill becomes law without governor signature if legislature is in session, not insession

2/3

vote of both houses required to override governor veto

item veto

governor can remove sections of appropriations bills

4 yr

term of governors

house

majority vote here impeaces executive

senate

location of impeachment trial

2/3

vote of senate needed to convict executive with impeachment

30, 5

governor must be at least __ yrs old and lived in TX __ yrs prior to election

Sunset Act

established procedure for reviewing existence of all statutory boards, commissions, and departments except colleges/universities

Open Meetings Act

requires governmental bodies ot certify that discussions held in executive sessions were legal or to tape-record closed meetings

municipal courts

autorhized by state constitution/laws to handle minor criminal matters <500 with no possibility of imprisonment; no civil jurisdiction; mainly traffic law violations; no recors=ds of trials

justice courts

original trial courts; deal with cases where potential punishment is only a fine; civil cases of <200 and concurrent jurisdiction for <5,000; justices of the peace

county courts

judges don't have to be lawyers; elected for four yr terms

appelate courts

no juries; only written records and arguments of lower court proceedings; decisions by majority; six yr terms

True or False: The Texas Legislative Branch is the least weak of the three branches

True

How senators are in the Texas Senate?

31

How many representatives are in the Texas House of Rep. ?

150

Connecticut Compromise

Proposed two chambers for legislative branch: one with the number of representatives based on state population and the other with fixed number of senators per state.

Different for Texas legislature: Senate represents larger districts and more broad concerns for state (have longer terms than House of Rep. reps). Representatives in the House have shorter terms and represent smaller districts. They are more in tune with the ever changing needs of the people.

How often does the Texas Legislature hold its regular session?

Convenes its regular sessions at noon on the second Tuesday in January of odd-numbered years (biennial). maximum duration of a regular session is 140 days.

What happens to a bill at the end of the regular sessions if it hasn't been passed or denied?

It dies

What are Special Sessions

Special sessions are legislative sessions that the governor can call for after the regular session is over. He can call for as many as he or she wants and the governor dictates the content of the session. Limited to 30 days

True or False: Texas legislatures are elected in single-member districts and districts are redrawn ever 10 years

true

Who is given the position of President of the Senate

The Lieutenant Governor is given this position by the Texas Constitution. The Lt. Gov. is an elected via a statewide election.