Quiz 8: Texas Executive

In Texas, if a sitting governor is unable to hold office due to impeachment and conviction, resignation, or death, who becomes governor?

• the lieutenant governor

• the Speaker of the state House of Representatives

• the comptroller of public accounts

• the secretary of state

the lieutenant governor

Who has the power to pardon people in Texas?

• the governor, but only with the advice and consent of the lieutenant governor

• only the Board of Pardons and Paroles

• all member of the plural executive must agree in a meeting of the governor's cabinet

• the governor, but only on the recommendation of the Board of Pardons and Paroles

the governor, but only on the recommendation of the Board of Pardons and Paroles

What is the primary task of the Texas secretary of state?

• to oversee the state's foreign, economic, and diplomatic policy

• to handle elections and voter registration

• to coordinate and plan projects in conjunction with the federal government

• to collect child support payments

to handle elections and voter registration

Which member of the plural executive is a member of the Legislative Redistricting Board?

• the governor

• the attorney general

• the secretary of state

• the lieutenant governor 

the lieutenant governor 

When given the opportunity, why would a Texas governor prefer to use the post-adjournment veto?

• This veto does not require that the governor issue a veto statement, so there can be no political "cost" or backlash from this exercise.

• It allows the governor to veto specific provisions of a bill while signing the rest of the bill into law.

• The number of votes needed to override this type of veto increases to a two-thirds majority in each chamber.

• Due to the timing of this veto, the legislature cannot override it.

Due to the timing of this veto, the legislature cannot override it.

Which power of the Texas comptroller exerts the greatest degree of control over policy decisions made in the state?

• The comptroller collects a variety of taxes, including the general sales tax and severance tax.

• The comptroller provides the legislature with estimated amounts of revenue that the state will collect in the coming years.

• The comptroller decides which banks and financial institutions are eligible to receive and invest money from the state.

• The comptroller suggests regulations for how the oil and gas industry can operate in the state.

The comptroller provides the legislature with estimated amounts of revenue that the state will collect in the coming years.

Which officeholder is responsible for a variety of elements throughout the state, including environmental quality on public lands and waters such as the beaches on the Gulf Coast?

• agriculture commissioner

• commissioner of the environment

• land commissioner

• commissioner of the interior 

land commissioner

Which of the following is the best example of the Texas governor’s military powers?

• The governor can declare martial law during a natural disaster

• The governor automatically possesses the rank of general in the U.S. Armed Forces

• The governor receives a National Guard pension when he or she retires.

• The governor can use federal troops stationed in camps within Texas.

The governor can declare martial law during a natural disaster

The governor appoints people to office, but the Texas ________ must also confirm them.

• ethics commission

• House of Representatives

• senate

• Commission on appointments 

senate

Which member of the Texas plural executive is the only one who is appointed rather than elected?

• secretary of state

• lieutenant governor

• comptroller

• attorney general

secretary of state

If the governor of Texas is impeached and convicted, then he or she

• must reimburse the state for the cost of the trial in the Senate.

• cannot subsequently hold any other state office.

• can be pardoned by the lieutenant governor.

• can appeal the conviction to the Texas Supreme Court.

cannot subsequently hold any other state office.

Since all members of the Texas plural executive except the __________ are independently elected, they are ultimately accountable to the __________.

• comptroller; governor

• secretary of state; voters

• lieutenant governor; cabinet

• attorney general; legislature

secretary of state; voters

Which of the following best represents the purpose of the Sunset Advisory Commission in Texas?

• It administers state programs for the elderly.

• It runs the Texas Chamber of Commerce.

• It reviews state agencies every twelve years to see if they are still needed.

• It oversees the retirement of state bureaucratic workers.

It reviews state agencies every twelve years to see if they are still needed.

One type of appointment power often used by governors is called patronage, where

• the governor selects individuals for staff positions with members of the legislature.

• the governor rewards supporters by appointing them to office.

• the governor sets standing reservations at his or her favorite restaurants in Austin.

• the governor determines which vendors will be given state contracts.

the governor rewards supporters by appointing them to office.

Which of these powers allows the governor to limit or remove portions of appropriations bills that have already been passed by the legislature?

• reduction veto

• pocket veto 

• amendatory veto

• line- item veto 

line- item veto 

Which statement best describes why Texas’s Constitution of 1876 established a plural executive?

• The U.S. presidency, which is structured in this manner, was generally believed to be a key factor that contributed to the growth and success of America.

• Recognizing the size and scope of a state like Texas, many believed that having more people involved in this branch would lead to a more efficient state government.

• Following Texas's colonial and post–Civil War experiences, there was a general wariness for an overly strong executive officer.

• This approach was taken to help ensure that the executive branch was able to exercise a large degree of authority over state affairs.

Following Texas's colonial and post–Civil War experiences, there was a general wariness for an overly strong executive officer.

Which statement about special sessions and their agendas is most accurate?

• The governor alone is empowered to call a special session and set the agenda for that session.

• The lieutenant governor and the Speaker of the House are permitted to call special sessions for their respective chambers but must collaborate to set the agenda.

• The Speaker of the House can determine whether a special session is needed and, if so, can guide legislative focus through the ability to control committee assignments.

• The secretary of state can approve special sessions, provided the comptroller of public accounts has verified that there is enough money in the budget to pay for the added time legislators are in session.

The governor alone is empowered to call a special session and set the agenda for that session.

Which of these is a power the governor holds that can be used to influence the Texas judicial branch?

• The governor can nominate judges to state and federal courts, with consent from the Texas Senate.

• The governor can limit the types of cases that courts are allowed to hear.

• The governor may remove judges deemed to be ineffective and replace them with political allies.

• The governor can appoint judges when vacancies arise in state courts.

• The governor can nominate judges to state and federal courts, with consent from the Texas Senate.

The __________ leads a team of several hundred lawyers and is tasked with representing the State of Texas in lawsuits, as well as offering advisory opinions to state and local agencies.

• state comptroller

• chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court

• lieutenant governor

• attorney general 

attorney general 

The Texas lieutenant governor is the only member of the plural executive, other than the governor,

• to have state-provided housing.

• to have judicial powers.

• to have both executive and legislative powers.

• to be elected in a statewide election.

to have both executive and legislative powers.

What do we mean when we say that Texas has a “plural executive”?

• The Office of the Governor is shared by two people, the governor and the lieutenant governor, and they run for office together—similar to the president and vice president in the federal system.

• The governor has the ability to appoint many people to serve in their cabinet and assist in decision making.

• Multiple people must all agree before any executive action can be taken.

• Power in the executive branch is fragmented between multiple individuals who are all independently elected in statewide elections.

Power in the executive branch is fragmented between multiple individuals who are all independently elected in statewide elections.

How is executive power in Texas structured?

• It is divided among multiple officials, each appointed by the governor, to ensure that no one person has too much power.

• It is divided among multiple officials, each elected by the people, to ensure that no one person has too much power.

• It is modeled after executive power in the federal government, where the governor and lieutenant governor have powers similar to the president and vice president.

• It is set up so that Texas has one of the strongest governors in the United States.

It is divided among multiple officials, each elected by the people, to ensure that no one person has too much power.

The governor of Texas may be removed from office only by impeachment with conviction by the

• Judiciary

• Texas Senate

• Texas House

• Attorney General

Texas Senate

Many argue that the power of appointment is the governor of Texas’ “most significant executive power.” Which of the following accurately describes why that is?

• The governor has the ability to appoint the chairs to all legislative committees.

• The governor has the ability to appoint local leadership and officials in home-rule municipalities.

• The governor has the ability to appoint all judges in the state with the advice and consent of the Senate.

• The governor has the ability to make appointments to over 400 multimember state boards or single-member commissioners who direct the operation of various state agencies.

The governor has the ability to make appointments to over 400 multimember state boards or single-member commissioners who direct the operation of various state agencies.

Which of the following are formal constitutional qualifications required to be governor of Texas?

• have been a U.S. permanent resident for at least 15 years

• have lived in Texas for at least 5 years before the election

• have held prior elected office for at least 10 years

• be at least 25 years of age

have lived in Texas for at least 5 years before the election