pols 207

governor

boss

Lieutenent Governor

assistant or boss' helper

Attorney General

top lawyer

comptroller

money manager

land commissioner

land and natural resources

agriculture commissioner

farm and food

railroad commissioner

watches energy companies. makes sure they're following rules. oil and gas now, not trains

secretary of state

handles elections and records

powers of the government

• says yes or no to laws

• calls lawmakers if needed

• chooses some leaders

• leads texas soldiers

• slow/forgive punishments

• tells lawmakers what's important

• speaks for texas

regular veto

governor says no to all

line-item veto

no to some

post-adjournment veto

no after everyone leaves

role of governors in the budget process

gives ideas, can suggest budgets, and can cut money from a bill

what are executive orders?

governor making rules. dont need a new law

treasurer

takes care of states' money

auditor

double checks that money is being used correctly.

why is post-adjournment so powerful?

Because the governor is saying no to the bill after everyone leaves, no one can argue against his decision.

budget process in texas

agencies ask --> lawmakers plan --> governor reviews --> budget becomes a spending guide

no child left behind act

things like STAAR tests. standardized testing to make sure students are progressing in their education. if not, schools need to make adjustments.

gross domestic product

The sum total of the value of all the goods and services produced in a nation

progressive taxes

rich pay more, poor pay less

regressive taxes

poor pay more

sources of tax revenue for state and local governments

• sales tax (shopping and goods)

• property taxes (house and land)

• income taxes, only in some states (paycheck)

• fees and licenses (DMV stuff)

• excise taxes (bad habits)

states want to keep corporate taxes low because

It attracts businesses to come, stay, and create jobs. if taxes are too high, businesses will leave.

What taxes are considered regressive?

sales taxes, gas taxes, and cigarette taxes are regressive. They take a bigger chunk from people who have less money.

excise tax are

extra taxes on certain things like gas, cigarettes, and alcohol. taxes on bad habits.

tax burden

the heaviness of taxes. how much of your money really goes into taxes.

Which level of government is affected the most by limitations on taxation

local. fewer ways to get money, depends a lot on property taxes.

how do most americans feel about taxes?

don't like them. want them to be fair. know theyre needed tho.

merit system

people get into government job because they are skilled and qualified

spoils system

people get into government jobs because they are getting rewarded for helping someone else win an election

what is outsourcing?

hired help. paying someone else to do the job

general obligation bonds

gov promises to pay back money using tax money

revenue bonds

gov promises to pay back money using money made from a project.

how is academic performance measures

grades, tests, how well students do in school.

magnet schools

public schools with special programs to attract students. (math, art, science, etc) MAISIE

charter schools

public schools run by private entities to give parents greater control over their children's education

vouchers

Money government provides to parents to pay their children's tuition in a public or private school of their choice.

When can money be given to religious educational institutions?

for general necessities like books and busses. helps students, not supporting religion.

how do states ensure local compliance with state education policy

rewards and punishments. states checks on schools, gives tests, and can take away money if schools aren't folloing rules.

what controls education in a state?

state's board of education. mskes big decisions about school rules and funding.

where do most schools get their revenue from?

local property taxes. some state and federal gov.

what do school superintendents do?

bosses of every school in district. run schools, hire principles, etc.

zoning is important because

decides buildings and locations, keeps towns organized and safe.

who is responsible for public welfare?

state and federal gov. helps with food, housing, health

payroll tax is

money out of paycheck to pay for things like Social security and MediCARE for da sick and retired.

what has been the effect of social security?

helps people (old, disabled, etc.) stay out of poverty.

what changes happened with TANF?

States had more control over welfare, and people had to/try to work for their benefits.

what is medicare?

government program that cares for the sick. helps people 65+ pay for doctor visits and hospitals

Which public assistance program do states spend the most on?

Medicade

medicade

helps pay for healthcare for poor people. medic-AID for da poor

A(n) __ 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

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

Why did the Texas constitution establish a plural executive?

There was suspicion of a strong chief executive.

Arguably, the most powerful position in Texas state politics is

Lieutenant Governor.

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

message

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

represents the state before the courts

The governor of Texas has

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

What is the ultimate check on the governor?

impeachment

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

governor

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

ability to pay

The most costly function provided by local governments is

education

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.

State and local governments get most of their money from _.

taxes

The _ tax is a major revenue source for local governments.

property

The costliest public assistance program in the states is

Medicaid

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.

The factor that distinguishes Medicare from Medicaid is that _.

Medicare is a federal health care program specifically for people over the age of 65

Money provided by the American government to parents for payment of their children's tuition in a public or private school of their choice is known as a _.

voucher