POLS Exam Review #3

A ________ provides an executive the right to veto parts of a spending bill approved by a legislature without having to veto the entire bill.

Line-item veto

The governor of Texas has what kind of powers?

Few formal powers, so the office is one of the weakest chief executives in the United States.

Unlike elected Presidents, state governors generally…

share executive power with other elected officials

Which of the following arguments best describes the level of control that the governor has over the budgetary process?

Governors can only affect expenditures at the edges of the overall budget.

A(n)______ is the rejection by a president or governor of legislation passed by a legislature.

Veto

In nearly all states, excluding Texas, the _______ has responsibility for preparing a budget.

governor

What is the role of a state's attorney general?

represents the state before the courts

What is the ultimate check on the governor?

impeachment

In Texas, the governor's State of the State address is an example of the power…

message

Arguably, the most powerful position in Texas state politics is?

lieutenant governor.

Heavier tax burdens upon the wealthy are usually defended on the principle of…

ability to pay

Income tax rates that decrease with increases in income are known as…

regressive

Tax burden refers to…

the proportion of taxes paid in relation to personal income.

Sales taxes on fuel, alcohol, and tobacco products are also known as _____ taxes.

excise

_______ between governments, usually from higher levels of government to lower levels, are essential and influential sources of revenue for state and local governments.

Grants

State and local governments get most of their money from ______

taxes

Property tax exemptions are most often used as an inducement to encourage ______ to relocate to a certain area.

business and industries

The costliest public assistance program in the states is…

Medicaid

Which of the following statements is true of funding higher education?

The federal government is the chief supplier of student financial aid.

Professors' salaries in universities have kept pace with increasing tuition.

States are not making any efforts to expand their programs of student aid.

State funding of public colleges and universities is generally stable.

The federal government is the chief supplier of student financial aid.

Which of the following is true of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)?

It strengthened work requirements for recipients and limited the time that families can receive benefits.

It was replaced by the 60-year-old program known as Aid to Families with Dependent Children.

States under TANF are given lesser flexibility in administering welfare policies.

States under TANF have to spend most of their welfare dollars on monthly cash payments to families.

It strengthened work requirements for recipients and limited the time that families can receive benefits.

What kind of executive system does Texas use?

Plural executive

define a plural executive system

Governor’s power is shared with other independently elected officials.

What are the different executive positions in Texas?

• Governor - Chief executive, though relatively weak by constitutional design.

• Lieutenant Governor - Primarily a legislative role (President of the Senate); considered by many to be the most powerful position in Texas.

• attorney general - The state’s lawyer; handles civil suits and issues legal opinions.

• Comptroller of Public Accounts - The state's tax collector and estimator of future revenue.

• Commissioner of the general Land Office - Manages state lands and mineral rights

• Agricultural commissioner - Enforces agricultural laws and checks weights/measures

• Secretary of state - The only constitutional executive official appointed by the Governor; oversees elections

What are the executive powers of governor?

• Appointment power (boards/commissions)

• removal power (limited)

• military power (Texas National Guard).

What are the legislative powers of governor?

• Message power

• calling special sessions

• veto power

What are the Judicial powers of governor?

• Appointing judges to fill vacancies

• granting limited clemency (with board approval).

What is a general veto

Rejection of an entire bill.

What is a line-item veto

The power to strike specific spending items from an appropriations (budget) bill without killing the whole bill.

What is a post-adjournment veto

A veto issued after the legislature has gone home.

• most powerful veto

What is the governor’s role in the budgeting process in Texas?

In Texas, the Governor is the "Chief Budget Officer" and submits a draft budget, but the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) holds more influence. The Governor’s main power is the line-item veto once the budget is passed.

What is the budgeting process in Texas