political science- module 4

What is public policy?

Course of action or inaction taken by government to solve problem, counter threat, pursue objective

What is problem identification in the decision making model?

Identification of issue that disturbs people and leads them to call for governmental intervention

Which type of public policy is the most controversial and why?

Redistributive; shift resources and income

What changes could take place in policy evaluation stage of policy making model?

policy termination or adjustment

Who is responsible for policy implementation?

Government branches, government agencies, administrative bodies

What is the purpose of policy formulation?

Identification of alternative approaches

What are the three types of public policy?

Redistributive, distributive/extractive, regulatory

What is the purpose of regulatory public policy?

Restrict or monitor actions of certain groups/individuals; most common

What are the steps involved in public policy making model?

Problem recognition, agenda setting, policy formulation, policy adoption, budgeting, policy implementation, policy evaluation

What is deficit?

Revenue is less than expenditure

What is excise tax?

Indirect tax included in price of item

What is state’s sales tax rate?

6.25%

What is the state’s major source of revenue?

Sales tax

Which type of government uses property tax as a source of revenue in Texas?

local

What is another name given to property taxes?

Ad valorem

What is the function of the appraisal district?

Determines market value of property to set property tax rate

What is a “sin” tax?

Excise tax on harmful or undesirable goods

What is a regressive tax system?

Tax rates decline as persons income increases

What is the role of the Comptroller of Public Accounts in the legislative and budget process?

Certify states’ approximate biennial revenue. Legislatures cannot appropriate more funds than anticipated income for two year period

What is a revenue bond?

Repaid with revenues from the projects they finance

What is line item veto and when is it used and for what purpose?

Veto provision related to funding for specific items or projects

What is discretionary spending and what is its significance?

Spent on general projects, legislators control how much is spent on each project

What is a dedicated fund?

Dedicate revenue funds to something

Whose budget proposal to the legislature has more influence?

Legislative budget board

How often the state’s budget set?

Every 2 years

Which service is Texas’s most costly service?

education

Name specific examples of special districts?

Drainage, community college, library, metropolitan transit

Name specific categories of local governments exist in Texas?

Special districts, county, municipal (cities), councils

Name Texas’s two types of cities?

General-law cities, Home-rule cities

Name four types of city government in Texas?

Strong mayor-council type, weak mayor-council type, commission type, council-manager type

What is the least requirement for a city to become a home-rule city?

Over 5,000 residents, adopt a city charter

What are the functions of the city manager?

Day to day operations- city planning, city budget, appoints department heads

What is the executive function of the strong mayor in the strong mayor-council?

Makes appointments, prepares budget, veto power, city planning

Which city government has officials who act both as executives and legislators?

commission

Which type of city election helps increase minority representation in the city council?

Single member

Which of the following factors influences the sources and amount of revenue used to meet a city’s budgetary obligations?

Federal grants, population, property tax, residential/commercial properties

What are the sources of municipal revenues?

Property tax, sales tax, franchises, bond

Local governments use public debt to fund which kind of projects?

Roads, buildings, public facilities

What is tax abatement?

Temporary reduction or elimination of property taxes; encourages relocation/development

What are the characteristics of county governments?

Obsolete, lack of centralization, graft and corruption, constitutional rigidity, long ballot

Which services are optional county power authorized by state laws and various state codes?

Jail, hospitals, libraries, recreation, sexual-oriented businesses

What is the title of county record keeper?

county clerk

What percentage of special districts are single functioned districts?

2/3 (66%)

How many members are to the Arlington city council?

9; 1 mayor and 8 members

What system of election does the city of Arlington use to elect city council members?

At-large and single-member

What is another name for the Food Stamp program?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

How much does an individual worker contribute to the Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI)?

6.2% of earnings for social security; 1.45% for Hospital Insurance

What is Medicaid and was it introduced?

Medical coverage for people with low incomes, elderly, disabled; introduced in 1965

What is the role of SBOE and how many members does it have and who select them?

set curriculums and school funding; 15 members elected by voters

What is the function of the Higher Education Coordinating Board?

Coordinate and regulate states’ post secondary education system