government test 4

General Revenue Fund

The state’s primary operating fund that serves as a nondedicated revenue account.

Sales Tax

The most important single tax in Texas, set at 6.25%, with local jurisdictions able to impose an additional 2%.

Progressive Tax

A tax system where the tax burden falls more heavily on upper-income individuals.

Permanent School Fund (PSF)

A fund that provides financial support to primary and secondary schools based on student attendance.

Economic Stabilization Fund (Rainy Day Fund)

A fund designed to provide relief during times of financial distress.

Severance Taxes

Taxes imposed on the extraction of natural resources, such as oil and gas.

De Facto Segregation

Segregation that occurs in schools due to patterns of residential settlement, rather than by law.

Gilmer-Aikins Laws

Legislation enacted in 1949 that established a framework for public education policy in Texas.

San Antonio v. Rodriguez

A key Supreme Court case that addressed the constitutionality of using property taxes to fund public schools.

AFDC

Aid to Families with Dependent Children, a program providing financial assistance to low-income families.

Qualified Immunity

A legal doctrine that shields government officials from liability unless they violated a clearly established statutory or constitutional right.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)

The agency responsible for regulating environmental quality in Texas.

DACA

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, an executive order that protects certain undocumented young people from deportation.

Eminent Domain

The right of a government to take private property for public use, with compensation.

Negative Partisanship

The increased polarization and hostility between political parties, leading to deep partisan divides.

Senate Bill 1 (SB1; 2022)

Legislation aimed at making voting procedures stricter in Texas, including new restrictions on polling hours.

Infrastructure

Basic economic and technological systems essential for the functioning of an economy, including transportation and communication systems.

The Texas Bullet Train

A proposed high-speed rail system in Texas that will connect major cities, relying on private investment.

Public Education Funding

The financial resources allocated for K-12 schools and higher education institutions, often debated in policy discussions.

Medicaid

A state-federal program providing health care for people in poverty, particularly children.

Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Health care reform legislation enacted in 2010 aimed at expanding access to health insurance.

Equity in Funding

The principle that seeks to ensure equal funding for public schools, regardless of local property taxes.

Bail

A set amount of money that must be paid for an arrested person to be released from jail until trial.

Grand Jury

A jury that reviews evidence presented by prosecutors to determine if there is enough evidence to bring charges.

Recidivism

The tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend.

Restorative Justice

A justice system approach focusing on repairing the harm caused by criminal behavior.